Day One: The One

Although my hair was slightly damp, beginning to curl naturally – uncontrollably. I pulled, trying to loosen the tight sheets while surfing the channels trying to find BBC news, but I didn’t really care. My eyes drifted in and out as I laid there, my pillow becoming cool from my hair. All of the tension easing from me.

Our flat mates, minus one, walked through the neighborhood. Homes all white or brick, making me feel as though I was near brownstones in Brooklyn except fancier. Learning to look down at the signs on the ground, directing unknowing travelers of which direction to actually look to see the small speedy European cars.

We made it. We were early for our appointment, but we crept up the tight stairs and entered into a small office with a man, Alan, and his wife. Both of whom were the nicest Londoners I’ve met outside of ICLC.

His office had plaques with sand-script, pictures of loved ones, and a small espresso maker. It was tight, the size of a walk in closet. 

“First, before we get started," he said, "Would you like candy?” He handed me a box of chocolates, we each took one. Very old school, I thought.

He's worked with ICLC before. He knew the deal, we were cheap and needed everything fully furnished. Silver ware, everything. We wouldn't break anything. We wanted to be in a safe neighborhood, near the school. 

“I will show you one flat for now. If you love it, you will get it. If you like it, we can lower price. For now, we will look at just this one.”

It was just down the road, less than a five minute walk away. It was the only building with scaffolding, the outside was just being repainted, but it would soon look like the other homes along the small street that I envied earlier.

We decided this was the one. Four girls to one room, two guys to the other. Large living room, an eat-in kitchen. Wifi and washer/dryer. Balcony (after the scaffolding is taken down). What more could we ask for? After negotiations, we were set to pay the deposit later that week. 

My eyes drifted. I had been awake for longer than I expected. I peered over at the clock. It was in military time. At that point, it wasn’t worth doing the math. It was clearly time to finally rest. The worst part was over and the fun was just about to begin.

This was the fourth piece in a four part series. For the beginning of the story, click here. 

Day One: Finding Flat Mates

“Oh shoot.” I realized my toe was not only blistered, but that the nail on my pinky toe punctured it. Time to get the nail clippers out. My feet still aching, blistered and now wrinkly were about to be in for a treat – sitting. More like lying in a twin mattress to watch BBC.  Either way, there would be no more pressure on the souls.

We had walked all over Kensington with Bill, the Director of the London Center, to find the bank and the phone store. A long line formed immediately at the store, so a few friends and I decided not to go in. We were outside with Bill, when he point out a small glass door quickly with gold letters spelling out a realtor’s name. I would later find out that this man, Alan, would give me one of the best deals any student could have.

A new friend Dan, old friend Kristina and myself meandered back to the ICLC. Yes. Meandered meaning we got lost and then found our way. At the point, I realized the bad shape my feet were in. I looked at my right heel briefly after going at a NYC pace for about an hour, and saw complete irritation. Screw it. I just kept going.

The three of us arrived back and went to the computer room to message our families. Groups were there, forming. My heart just dropped. We actually had to find a place that day. We had a list of realtors from our orientation, but the mixture of jet lag, housing and finding flat mates amplified the situation. (Not to mention: I am in a foreign country.)  

These were the most terrifying 15 minutes of my time in London. My best friend Jamie was not at the orientation and I could not call her since I didn’t have a UK phone. I hopped onto Facebook, thank God she was online. I proceeded to ask her a series of frantic questions. Many people came to London with a set group of people they wanted to live with. All I knew was that I wanted to live with Jamie, that was it. We wanted to meet new people. And we did.

In the long and short of it, my old friend Kristina, new friend Dan, my friend from Spanish class, David, and Jamie all agreed to live together (Jamie didn't know who we were living with, but trusted me). We needed one more though. Kristina and I had asked around for other girls who needed a flat, and one girl seemed interested but didn’t commit. She was frantic too, but she couldn’t make up her mind.

Kristina was still talking to this girl when I saw Anna. Anna was sitting in the computer room, quite literally about to burst into tears. She didn’t come with housing plans. I hugged her, telling her it’s going to be okay and if I find out anything that I would tell her as soon as possible.

Kristina and I ran to the hotel to check in, and decided that if the girl who couldn’t commit, well, wasn’t going to commit, then we should move on. We didn’t have all day. We saw her in the elevator as we went down and told her that we were going to find someone else to live with us if she couldn’t confirm that she would be with our group. It was fine, no hard feelings. Kristina and I wanted Anna. We had no idea who she was but there was something about her that we both liked. Also, we had no time. Then saw Anna in the lobby. We ran to her.

“Do you want to live with us?” I said.

She hugged me immediately. It was honestly one of the best hugs I’d ever had. We sighed with relief. 

“Yes,” she grinned.

We all gathered 30 minutes later and made the phone call that would solidify our new home in London. The biggest stress of the day was over. 

For the last piece of this four part series on click here for "Day One: The One." 

Day One: Customs

This day could have been much worse, I thought while fighting the urge to pop the Mount Vesuvius sized blister on my heel. Who thought it was a good idea to buy the shoes that were slightly tighter than the ones that were blatantly too big? Oh yeah. Me.

The line for customs seemed endless. I stood with half a trees’ worth of paper, praying that the customs agent wouldn’t give me a hard time. Facebook had been blowing up all week with questions from other students about Visa papers.

Sweating, I went up to desk 18. A gentleman with gray hair stood there, smiling. How can you smile when you’re supposed to interrogate me about my “work placement,” not my internship because that would be a paid job, or why I am staying here for four months?

“Hello, how long will you be in England?” He said smiling. Why are you smiling?

“I’ll be here for four months, I will be studying at the Ithaca College London Center and I have a work placement with the charity Attend.” Did I really say that all confidently? Do you need any papers? Please, trust me.

“Where will you be staying?” Oh goodness.

“I don’t have a flat, yet, but the address I have for you if for the London Center. It is in Kensington. I hear it’s a very poshy neighborhood.”

“You’re very right, it is very nice there. What are you studying?”

He could tell I was nervous.

“Well, my degree is in journalism in politics so I am taking a few classes in that but I am also taking Shakespeare.”

He chuckled. Stamp. Stamp.

“Alright, you have a wonderful time. You’re all set.” 

“Thank you, sir.”

I found my bag and met my driver, Simon. He is a friend of my stepmom’s. Whenever she comes to London he drives her. Simon handed me his card before we even reached the car.

“I told Michelle I would do this, but if you ever need anything or find yourself in an area you do not know, please call me.”

He gleefully told me everything about London that he knew, from why the English drive on the correct side of the road (knights on horses drew their swords from the left side, so they could fight on the right when another horseman came. Also it was a Papal decision as well; the U.S. and France rebelled after the Revolution), England’s “most undemocratic democracy” as Simon put it (their politicians are actually real people, and are put in their place constantly. They’re also not technically “elected” – the party is elected at the leader of the party becomes Prime Minister.), and how the unexplainable loyalty to the Queen during times of trouble.

It was absolutely breathtaking to see his love for his country. Simon dropped me off at the hotel earlier than the other students were transported from Heathrow. I curled up in a hotel lobby chair, my feet just beginning to burn.

I expected traveling to be the must difficult part of my day. At least, that was what I thought before I had to find a place to live.

For the third piece on this four part series, click here for "Day One: Finding Flat Mates." 

Day One: In the Air

The boiling water seeped into the opening blisters on my swollen feet as I laid there, in the tub of my hotel room, alone my first night in London. Jet lag was hitting me, but all of the stress and anxiety of the day eased out of my tense body as the water cooled.

There has been no previous time that I could remember, during the short two decades of my life, were I had accomplished so much in 24 hours. Well, I cannot really remember if it was 24 hours. You see, I kind of time traveled when flying to London, cutting out a few unimportant hours in the States for a jam packed day; finding people to live with, finding Jamie, a flat, discussing a lease, getting a phone, did I mention jet lag? But, it all started in the air.

“I am so sorry to bother you, ma’m, but is it alright if I peer over your shoulder as we land? I’ve just never seen London before.”

“Is this the first time to the U.K.?” she said cheerfully. “You’re just going to love it.”

The woman told me she’s lived in England her whole life, except for eight years she spent in Manhattan. She grabbed her heart, remembering New York and telling me you’re just going to love it here. There is so much to do.

We both peaked at the countryside. Fog was lifting in the crevasses of small hills between the checkered plots of farmland.

“You can tell we are getting close to the city because of the motorway (highway). There is a large circle all around London. You never know how we are going to land in Heathrow, like JFK. We may come in around the city, or go straight threw it.”

Our plane paralleled the Thames. We were going straight threw the city.

She pointed first to the Olympic stadiums, then Buckingham Place and the gardens, the London Eye which is near Big Ben and Parliament. Then we flew over rows upon rows of identical houses, all like the ones from Harry Potter.

I couldn’t have asked for a better tour.

“Thank you, so much. You have no idea how excited I am.”

But she knew. It was like being in NYC for the first time. A city with endless history and possibilities.


For the second piece of this four part series, click here for "Day One: Customs." 

Summer is Ending, but Life is Beginning

A lot of crazy and amazing things happened during the last month I worked in NYC, but it all started out with something not so good. My boyfriend of two years broke up with me, mainly because our paths are going in different directions. I understand, now, why he did this. It's bittersweet but, honestly, I cannot think about settling down anytime soon. My future is way bigger than I thought it would be.

A few days after everything ended, something big started. I was at FAIR and I began researching abortion legislation coverage, which became my primary project the rest of the summer. Working on this piece made me feel, well, important. This is the type of coverage I want to do -- legislation, politics, gender issues -- and I feel so fortunate that I was able research this. I was also able to write a blog post about stay-at-home dad's. Now, I have the ability to write concisely and quickly which is so important in this industry.

Later that week at FOX, I was invited to the Good Day New York meeting where I pitched a segment. The anchors and news director ended up loving the idea, and I spent the rest of the day organizing it. I technically co-produced it! The segment aired a few days later, and I just cannot believe how fast I was able to set everything up. Of course, I was under the supervisor of an amazing segment producer, but I did all of the booking myself. I didn't know that I could do this. I had no idea that I could actually do all of this, in a week. Technically, the worst week and a half of my life knowing that the person I spent all of my college life with wasn't going to sharing in my success with me.

I realized that week, the day after the segment, that I am really so blessed. I firmly believe in God and I have never been able to see Him work in my life like this. Whenever I get really stressed out, I just can forget to prioritize my faith and now I know that I have to because He's the reason why all of this is happening. He is giving me these opportunities and I'm taking them and running -- not looking back at the frustration and self-deprecation that I've put on my shoulders this year.

Finally, everything I've worked for is paying off and I hate to say that I'm okay being single during this time. I found out from reporters that I'm going to have to travel between contracts before I can get a solid job. That scares people. It scares my family a little bit -- knowing that I might not be in the tri-state area for a while, but I have to do what is best for me.

I made life long friendships with the people I've worked with at FAIR and FOX. All of the interns and trainees were just wonderful people -- everyone that I met had a huge heart and great potential. I would be lying to you if I didn't tell you that I teared up and cried saying bye to some of my coworkers. This summer taught me not only about the industry, but about myself. I am so thankful for meeting so many amazing people and for becoming a stronger person.

Thank you, everyone, that worked with me this summer and or read this silly little blog about my experience. Now, News City Living is going ABROAD! I am off to London to study for the semester.

Sorry, I had to take a picture behind the anchor desk! 

So... Until next time, I'm Sara McCloskey!

Quick Advice About Internships

Here's some advice for people before applying to similar internships that I just had...

#1). ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS AND ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP!: Don't ask questions when people are busy, but when there's a moment and you're chilling with someone just ask them about their job and different things they're interested in. I always had 100 questions, which means I'm in the right field, but you have to feel the situation and not annoy people. If you're a journalist, you know what I mean.

#2). THE OTHER INTERNS MAY BE YOUR FUTURE CO-WORKERS: Make friends with the other interns because you will probably work with them later on in life. Get their contact info and keep in touch!

Broadcast Station Internship

1. Know if your Station is UNION SHOP: A lot of local stations do not have unions so you can touch and use the equipment, but in NYC (besides NY1) the local stations are unionized. I was still able to observe the entire process in putting together a news package, but I was not allowed to touch anything. I would say, do one internship at a non-union shop to touch the equipment and then work with a union shop to gain more experience. 
2. People will remember you, which is Good & Bad: Broadcast news is a small, small world. So, don't be a jerk. Be polite to everyone and be engaged. Be friendly to people that work at the other stations too, you never know who you will run into in the field!
3. You want to be an Anchor? Do More: No one is an anchor automatically. Learn from everyone you can. GDNY anchor Rosanna Scotto says, "The best anchors were always the best reporters."
4. Get to know your Photogs: I never thought about this before, but honestly the coolest people I met were the cameramen. Some of them have been all over the world and most of them know all of the other cameramen from other stations. They also always have your back. 
5. Dress to Impress: People at the station sometimes thought that I wasn't an intern because I dressed nicely. They'll remember that. (Also, people on the street thought I was the reporter... which was kind of awesome.. not going to lie!) 

Independent Media Writing Internship 

1. Ask if Co-workers need help on their Research: Writers at FAIR were always working on their own individual projects. If you're interested in the same topic, ask them about it and they may let you help them their with project! 
2. More Work is Available: Working in a smaller place allows you the chance to be hands on. I was able to write 4 blog posts, a study with a co-worker, and my own piece. There is a benefit to working with a smaller group of people because you can literally do more.
3. People will remember you, which is Good & Bad (AGAIN): Indy media is really small as well. The people who you work with might have connections to other media outlets, so don't be mean. With that knowledge comes responsibility, so don't schmooze (I hate schmoozing..). Work your butt off because it's a smaller market than mainstream media and it's more specialized (people report on more specific topics). 
4.  Study the Writing Style of the Outlet: FAIR writes with a very specific tone which took me a long time to adopt. Read A LOT of the outlet's work and try to practice writing that way. I didn't realize how uncomfortable I would be writing in the tone FAIR uses, but I got used to it. 

What Barbie and Women in the Media have in Common.

[Note: I wrote most of this a few weeks ago and didn't publish it right away. I was waiting for my blog post to be published and then a lot of things happened very fast. Will explain at another time.] 

Huffington Post published a short story about what a "normal" Barbie would like look if it was proportionate to the average 19-year-old girl. I was startled, because Barbie looks so good when she's "average!"

If you look at media today (i.e. movies, TV, broadcast, commercials, video games etc.) women are portrayed in a very sexual way and are not usually strong protagonists. The documentary MissRepresentation reveals this portrayal and how it actually hurts young girls ambitions.





I mention this documentary constantly to my friends and family because I have never seen anything like it. I am constantly thinking about how to change the dialogue about women in the media from a reporting stand point. It isn't just enough to change how I dress so I don't look, well, really overly sexualized because I don't feel comfortable or empowered by wearing that kind of clothing.

It shocks me though, because there are so many women in newsrooms now. The staff is pretty small in general at FAIR, about 6 people, half of which are female and all of the interns are too (and from Ithaca College!). At FOX a large number of the writers, editors and producers are women. About half of the talent are too. I have become very close to and really look up to many of the women I have meet over the past few weeks, but it still scares me how many women issues are down played by news outlets.

Here's one example. A month or so ago, I shadowed a reporter who was working on a story about a blog run by mothers' who are trying to stop mothers from putting down each other's child rearing styles and lifestyle choices. This is a really important topic, and the reporter honestly didn't have a lot of time to treat this story with the care it needs. Luckily the reporter had great interviews, but it failed to address that women are competitive with each other for a reason - that women put each other down because of stereotypes which are actually created by the media. It's hard to dive into that on a local news program, but hopefully one day it will be easier to discuss this more seriously.

Something really good though happened a few weeks ago at FOX. I researched women networking groups for a producer. She had pitched the story of "women leaders," in a staff meeting I sat in on, and then I suggested this to go along with it. She really liked the idea. We had to figure out how to flesh out the idea in full, like any news story, but I'm really happy that it went over well with the news director.

And sometimes women's issues aren't reported on in the same way, even though it might be the same exact topic. My recent blog post for FAIR explains how the coverage of Senator Wendy Davis received more coverage than the new Ohio budget, which creates new provisions for mothers seeking and redefines when a woman is actually pregnant. The reason the Ohio budget story isn't that big is probably because there isn't a figurehead trying to protect the women.

After working on this, I decided to write a longer study on the topic. It will be published soon, hopefully.

One thing that I would like to point out, though, is that these issues aren't just women's issues. They're societal -- men are greatly affected too. The creator of MissRepresentation is now making a film called The Mask You Live In  which is about how men are depicted in the media. I'm very excited to see how it turns out! (I donated to the kickstarter... just revealing my bias!)