“London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down. London bridge is falling down, my fair lady”
That
song is my favourite song when I was in pre-school age. At that time, everyday
I watch the music video and never thought that one day I will see the real London
Tower Bridge with my own eyes. But I did, yes I did! Finally I saw that bridge
with my eyes. I called this a dream come true.
BBC
Future Journalist Award Indonesia was like another dream come true for me. I’m
a business major student and just know a little bit about journalism. Although
several times I already did voluntary work as contributor, but I really want to
know deeper about professional journalism.
At that
time I saw poster in Twitter and made registration for the training held by
BBC. After several weeks, I got invitation to attend the training in Jakarta. I
was incredibly happy as because this would be a great chance for me to study
about journalism from international news media and this chance was only for 20
students. Moreover, maybe I could pursue my dream to go to London! How lucky I
am!
After
2 days of training and competition, I already told myself that if I didn’t get
that grand prize, it’s okay because I already got many new knowledge from BBC. I
knew my capacity as a business student compare with other participants (most of
them are studying journalism). In the end I was wrong, it was me who got the
grand prize to go to London!
 |
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has
also set eternity in the human heart; yet no
one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end,” – Ecclesiastes 3:11
|
After dreaming for 16 years,
I finally set my own feet in Europe! Since the first time I saw
Oxford St, until now, it’s still like I’m dreaming, dreaming sweet dream. Basically
I attended 2-days workshop and had city tour in London during my first week trip.
The workshop was very fun, attractive, and really open my perspective about
international journalism. Steve Taschini as my mentor is also give me and
Jennifer many chances to ask him about anything about journalism that we really
want to know. As I’m currently doing sport journalism, I asked that issues to
him. He also took a look at my own news in Badzine and give some advice to
improve my writing style. As a sport news, it must have good and catchy headline
and not to write a lot, “It needs to be
short and punchy and sticky,” he said.
In the end of sport
journalism talk, Steve gave us video about Women in sport journalism. The
surprising fact is women population in sport journalism is only 10%. As we know
that usually man will do this kind of journalism other that women. I felt
encouraged by that video as I know that being a sport journalist is not easy
for women. Be unique, distinctive, confident, and stand out! Will be my motto to be
a good sport journalist in the future. Other than sport journalism, Steve also
taught us about mobile journalism, editorial guideline in BBC, news
convergence, multi platform media, social media, interviewing, and also
storytelling.
Besides having
fun in workshop, Jennifer and I also have plenty times to discover many places
in London such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Baker St, Oxford St, British
Museum, National History museum, and my favorite one Tower Bridge. I’m still
amazed of the beauty of this city! I think i should be back here again in the
future!
After one
week passed and Jennifer went back first, I took another challenging chance
given to me. I’m currently a contributor of online web magazine about badminton
named Badzine. Usually I cover Indonesia Open every years for this website. As Badzine
didn’t have any contributor that able to cover All England 2016, so I took that
chance to cover that event in Birmingham.
My second
week in Birmingham also amazing and memorable. Being able to watch, oh I mean
to cover the oldest and most prestigious badminton tournament in the world was an honor
for me. During my coverage, I tried to apply all of the knowledge that I got
from Steve. I tried to reflect the way how BBC’s journalist work, and it was
amazing. I think this is the highlight of my trip, being able to practice the
knowledge for real professional coverage. It was totally awesome! I could felt the
different before and after I joined the workshop and I really enjoy it! My editor even praised all of my work during the coverage. He said I'm improving a lot! If you want to read my news during All England, kindly visit this link
Not only
learn from Steve, I also learn many different style of journalism from other
journalist on site. They were from Reuters, Eurosport, Astro sport, BBC
Indonesia and many more. I really saw professionalism from the way they interviewing
the athletes, how they write the news, and their analysis about the match were
completely different from the way Indonesian journalist do. The big
difference that i saw is they tried to give emphaty for the athletes before ask
many question, that’s made the athletes feel comfortable to answer many
questions eventhough they were lose. Many Indonesian journalist always judge
and make many athletes down because of the questions, whereas we need their
statement to make the news. How pity!
I learn a
lot of things that i never expected to learn during this trip. The workshop and
the coverage experience that i got will always be my guide in my next coverage.
This is one of the best experience i have ever had in my life! I’m so grateful
for this experience and i promise myself that i will keep pursuing my dream to
be a journalist. Although that dream seems far away but i will always believe
that there will be a way to live that dream!
Don’t dream your life, Live your dream..
