The Jeremiad Over Journalism

experience and their greater understanding of American society. Even Danish journalists like Karl
Jack or Henrik Døcker who stayed only a short time had a positive experience and came back with a
strong sense of having seen the future of journalism for better and worse.
In some instances, it is also possible to discern that the year abroad led to a change in journalistic
practices, and greater technological understanding. But perhaps just as importantly, the many of the
journalists who have been on educational exchange mention their vastly expanded international
network. When Samuel Rachlin in 1985 wrote about his experience at Harvard as a recipient of the
Nieman-Fellowship he noted, that the year had ―exceeded all expectations regarding an intense and
stimulating stay in an American university environment‖ and added,
―Many of the famous top people in the American media environment are Nieman-Fellows – a
title that you do not just have the one year at Harvard it is explained. Once a Nieman-Fellow –
always a Nieman-Fellow – you become a member of a great family and can always count on
help (…) the year at Harvard opened my eyes to America and the Americans and I discovered
and understood more of the country and the people than before both good and bad.‖ 405
405 Samuel Rachlin, "Om at Opdage Harvard [Discovering Harvard]," ed. Danmark-Amerika Fondet (Copenhagen:
Danmark-Amerika Fondet Annual Report, 1985). Page 12-13. My translation. Original text reads, ―Det blev et år, der
overgik alle forventninger om et intenst og stimulerende ophold i et amerikansk universitetsmiljø. (…) Mange af de
kendte topnavne i den amerikanske medieverden er Nieman-Fellows – en titel, man ikke kun har i det ene år på
Harvard, får man forklaret. En gang Nieman-Fellow – altid Nieman-Fellow – man bliver medlem af en stor familie og
kan altid regne med hjælp (..) Året på Harvard åbnede også mine øjne for Amerika og amerikanerne, og jeg opdagede
og forstod mere af landet og folket end før på godt og ondt.‖ Rachlin had previously been a graduate student, as well as
a Fulbright recipient, at Columbia School of Journalism in 1977.
Rachlin‘s experience was echoed in 2003 by Louise Stigsgaard Nissen who also won a Nieman-Fellowship at Harvard.
―My stay as Nieman Fellow at Harvard University has been incredibly fruitful both professionally and personally. (…)
My professional focus has been on international relations (…) Personally, I also had great benefit from my exchange.
The Nieman Foundation did an incredible job in creating surroundings where we fellows got to know each other and
established dialogue and friendships across cultures, status, age and gender.‖ My translation. Original text reads, ―Mit
ophold som Nieman Fellow ved harvard University har været utroligt udbytterigt både fagligt og personligt. (…) Min
faglige koncentration har været internationale forhold. (…) Jeg fik også stort personligt udbytte af mit ophold. Nieman
Fondationen [sic] var fantastisk til at skabe rammer for, at vi fellows lærte hinanden godt at kende og kunne skabe
dialogue og venskaber på tværs af kulturer, status, alder og køn.‖ Louise Stigsgaard Nissen, "Rapport Om Studieophold
Ved Harvard University Som Nieman Fellow 2002-2003 [Report on Stay Abroad at Harvard University as Nieman
Fellow 2002-2003]," (Landsarkivet Sjælland. Evalueringsrapporter Fulbright/DAF. 2002-2004. Box 10.1. September
26, 2003). During her stay at Harvard, Nissen followed classes in such diverse fields as international politics, human
rights, globalization, the Middle East, American foreign policy and intervention policy, leadership skills, creative
writing and American as well as British literature and described her year in the United States as ―intense and inspiring.‖
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