By Chloe Stein, MPMT Sophomore

Applying to a program like NBA in Paris can be somewhat daunting. I submitted an application to challenge myself in a new and exciting way, not necessarily to become so attached to the people I traveled with.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by how seamlessly the entire group clicked. I had never actually met any of the students selected, but everyone became comfortable with one another almost instantaneously, and each personality added something so unique to the atmosphere.

We shared hilarious karaoke nights, great conversations during class time, and family-like dinners. There is only one detail that I wish I could change, and it is to have stayed even longer.

I was one of the few students in the program who is not actually a die-hard sports fanatic, which gave me a unique perspective. I enjoy watching most sports games, but I am not the type to know the stats, names of players, etc.

Therefore, it was important for me to construct a story that properly reflected my own interests. I think this was a special aspect of the program. We really got to focus on whatever aspect of the event we felt most drawn to.

Oftentimes, academic ventures do not give students so much freedom. So, it was refreshing to be encouraged to follow a unique path to find a story-worthy topic.

My partner, Lilly Randolph, and I decided that covering a story that did not actually focus on the iconic game itself would be most authentic for us. Instead, we wrote about a significant person involved in the event.

Being introduced to Nikko Tan, one of Professor Spiker ’s former students provided us with the subject we needed.

At just 28 years old, Tan serves as the Digital Content Manager for the Chicago Bulls. We met him on our first night of the program, but he was naturally very busy in Paris. So, Lilly and I conducted a formal interview with him once we arrived back in the United States.

We really enjoyed hearing him recount his work experience at the Paris game, and details about how this event stood out in sports history.

On game day, Lilly and I surveyed the outside of the Accor Basketball Arena for about an hour. We asked game-goers their opinions about the event. We took photos of their extravagant game-day outfits. This was probably my favorite part of the program.

I loved finding out why people were there, who they were rooting for, what they thought about such a big event in sports history, etc. It was one of the only times I really got to interact with locals and tourists all at the same time.

There was this electric buzz outside of the arena that made it all special. Though I did not actually watch the game live, it still made me feel like I was witnessing the history of it all.

Now, having returned from this program, I am certain that I need to pursue academic adventures more often.

I have become a lot more confident in my capabilities as a journalism and media student, and I feel like I have seen more of what the real-world industry looks like. I learned so much about the way journalists operate, even by only being in Paris for one week.

This was real field work, which is not something that college sophomores often get access to.

I learned what it is like to survey a crowd looking for people who can help with our reporting. Lilly and I secured an interview with an admirable media creator, and we created a story worth publishing. I learned how to acclimate to the differences of a foreign country: becoming accustomed to French social expectations, the six-hour time change, different cuisines, etc. For example, approaching someone speaking in English is considered impolite. That is why when I was hoping to interview someone, or ask a simple question, I adjusted by speaking (broken) French. This is only one example, but it provides valuable exposure into what being immersed in a foreign country is like.

More specifically, when carrying the role of a journalist, viewing the event through locals’ eyes became important. What did they think about the NBA coming to Paris? Where do they think the NBA will go next? Which team do they feel more connected to?

I have grown up in a family who considers travel and worldliness highly important aspects of life. That has instilled in me a strong desire to see the world and try new things.

Thanks to my upbringing, I felt strongly about studying abroad. It encouraged me to apply to a program such as this one. I had been lucky enough to visit Paris once before, but only for a couple of days.

But with just about 48 hours in Paris during my first visit, I knew I had to return to the French capital. That I got the chance to do so during my college years is special.

I knew traveling is a fantastic way to gain perspective and create memories. I learned it is even more worthwhile to do it with a large group of students.

Posted: March 13, 2023
Category: NBA in Paris
Tagged as: NBA in Paris, Paris, sports, Sports@CJC, Study Abroad, Study Abroad experience