#studentstories

At Chapman, we talk a lot about how you can personalize your education. What does that look like? Major Opportunities will show you how it’s done.

“Network news can be hard to get into, but my experience at Chapman gave me a foot in the door.”

Ever since I was part of my high school’s bi-weekly newscast, I knew that I wanted to work in broadcast journalism. Though I’m still in college for another year, I’m amazed at how much hands-on experience I’ve gotten while at Chapman. Here are some ways I’m getting closer to my goals while still a student.

Industry Experience in Marion Knott Studios: In my writing and production class, I got to pretend to be on a talk show in Dodge College’s biggest studio, using industry-standard equipment. I was also Entertainment Producer for Chapman News for a semester, where I produced the weekly entertainment segment. I spent a lot of time in the editing bays, honing what I already knew about video production and absorbing new techniques. There’s something so rewarding about being able to shape snippets of real life into coherent stories.

(For Real) Industry Experience at CNN: It turned out that I gained a solid foundation for the type of work I did at CNN, where I spent a semester interning at their headquarters in Atlanta. I did everything from researching and writing scripts to developing almost 40 videos for their website and social media. I also did things that went far beyond my experience and expectations, like helping with the production of an interview with a former KGB spy.

Filmmaking On the Other Side of the World: This year, I took an Interterm travel course in Bhutan and Nepal to work on a documentary about the importance of the Himalayan mountains to the Bhutanese people. (Chapman President Struppa went with us, which was really cool.) All of us students served as directors and producers, but I was the only editor on our team. I edited the film when we got back to Chapman, which had to be done within a week. I was pulling all nighters while also being jet lagged, but it was worth it, because I’m still proud of the finished product.

​McMusic Lessons & Performances just shared a collection of testimonials from the students and families who make this space what it is. It’s one thing to talk about music theory and technique, but it’s another to hear about the actual breakthroughs, the practice sessions, and the excitement of finally nailing that one difficult piece.

​Whether you're here for the composition, the performance, or just the love of the craft, these stories are a great look at the journey.

Then he discovered the opportunity to study MBBS abroad — affordable, globally recognized, and filled with possibilities. Today, he’s pursuing his medical degree in Russia and building the future he once thought was out of reach.

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It wasn’t supposed to be anything special.

Just one of those nights where nothing was planned. No big events, no expectations—just a quiet evening after a long day. I remember stepping outside mostly to clear my head, pulling on something soft and familiar that made the night feel easier to step into, and thinking I’d only be out for a few minutes.

The air was calm, the kind that makes everything feel a little slower. Lights from the dorm windows flickered across the courtyard, and somewhere in the distance, music was playing low enough to blend into the background.

That’s when I ran into them.

It started with something small—just a simple “hey,” the kind you don’t think twice about. We’d seen each other around before, the way people do on campus, recognizing faces without knowing names. There was no reason for the conversation to last longer than a minute or two.

But it did.

We ended up sitting on the steps outside, talking about things that didn’t really matter at first. Classes, schedules, how the week had been dragging on. Easy topics. Familiar ground. The kind of conversation you can step into without effort.

And then, somewhere along the way, it shifted.

Not suddenly, not dramatically—just gradually. The pauses between sentences got a little longer. The words felt a little more honest. We started talking about things we don’t usually bring up in passing conversations. Plans that didn’t quite make sense yet. Moments that stuck longer than they should have. The strange feeling of not knowing exactly where you’re going, but still moving forward anyway.

Time moved differently after that.

At some point, I noticed how quiet everything else had become. Fewer people walking by. The music gone. The night settling into something deeper. I should’ve checked the time, probably should’ve said I needed to get back.

But I didn’t.

There’s something rare about conversations that don’t feel forced. When you’re not thinking about what to say next, or how you sound, or whether the moment will end soon. You just stay in it, letting it unfold however it wants to.

I remember leaning back slightly, hands tucked into my sleeves, the fabric warm against the cool air. That small sense of comfort made it easier to stay, to listen, to keep talking. Like the night had quietly decided to stretch itself a little longer.

Eventually, we both noticed how late it had gotten.

There was no dramatic ending. No sudden realization. Just a shared understanding that the moment had run its course. We stood up, brushed off the quiet stillness, and said goodnight like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Walking back, everything felt slightly different. Not in a big, life-changing way—just enough to notice. Like something small had shifted into place without asking for attention.

It’s funny how the nights you don’t plan for are the ones that stay with you.

The ones that begin with nothing and somehow turn into something you can’t quite explain. Just a simple evening, a familiar layer of comfort, and a conversation that lasted longer than it was supposed to.

Master the art of communication with us. 💬 Enhance your interpersonal, presentation, and customer service skills, preparing for a successful career in aviation with confidence and professionalism. 💼🎓🌟

Master the art of communication with us. 💬 Enhance your interpersonal, presentation, and customer service skills, preparing for a successful career in aviation with confidence and professionalism. 💼🎓🌟