UCA Student Pursuing Journalism at Deutsche Welle

Madina Shogunbekova’s heart skipped a beat as she could not believe that she had been selected for an internship at Deutsche Welle (DW), a German public international broadcaster. It was a dream come true for a young, determined senior student pursuing communications and media at UCA’s School of Arts and Sciences, and the editor of a student-run magazine.

Madina began her internship with Deutsche Welle with anxiety but also determination to make the most of this incredible chance. Her internship journey began in the Russian language department, focusing on news writing. Madina poured her heart into the first piece about elections in Uzbekistan. The editor appreciated the article, leading to its publication in multiple languages. The article even made it to the top three most-read news stories. As she continued her internship, Madina was enrolled into the TV team to work on production. She also started collaborating with the DW social media team to adapt news pieces for different platforms.

Praising Madina’s extraordinary achievements, Lucy Palmer, lecturer at UCA, shared, “As a journalist, I instinctively understood what a major news outlet like Deutsche Welle was looking for when they approached us to offer a six-week internship at their office in Bonn, Germany. We had several applicants, but Madina was the most outstanding candidate due to her competence and leadership. Madina is very bright with an exceptional work ethic, and she is a fast learner with very proficient language skills in Russian and English.

She also has the ability to embrace challenges and to step up to her responsibilities without hesitation – even in areas that are completely new to her.”

Within the grand walls of Deutsche Welle, Madina is honored to be the only representative from Central Asia and the only undergraduate intern. Despite these distinctions, Madina is humbly working hard to learn Deutsche Welle’s editorial style, workflow, and ethical standards.

Reflecting on her journey, Madina acknowledges the vital role UCA has played in preparing her for this opportunity. Some students question the relevance of subjects like math and economics in media, but Madina has realised that the education in liberal arts has equipped her with a deep understanding of diverse subjects and contexts. “A true journalist is not just a skilled writer but someone who comprehends the subjects they report on.”

With every article she writes, and every social media post she crafts, Madina is making her mark with one meaningful story at a time.