“Contributing a Verse”
My Time at the Salzburg Global Seminar
Cameron McLean
Have you ever suddenly realized that an event you're presently experiencing will be profoundly life-changing? I certainly had this experience as soon as my time at the Salzburg Global Seminar began. Embarking on a journey beyond the confines of familiar surroundings, I found myself immersed in a captivating blend of culture, academia, and personal growth during my study abroad experience with the Salzburg Academy on Media & Global Change. From how media connects the globe to systematic patterns of deviation, we were challenged to affect how media can impact a more positive social change in the world using a guiding theme of “Imagining Inclusive and Equitable Futures.”
My companions from the 17th cohort of the Salzburg Academy on Media & Global Change
Barely twelve hours after leaving New York City and arriving at Schloss Leopoldskron, most well-known as the Von Trapp house in The Sound of Music, I was immediately thrown into a melting pot of global cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Expectations were discussed and connections were made while we were shedding our preconceptions and constraints of existing media thinking.
The days that followed took us from Civic imagination - dreaming for society but making it practical, to recognizing and managing media bias, media literacy as a tool promote inclusion, Critical pedagogy: an approach to teaching that seeks to develop each person personally and spiritually in addition to, rather than solely intellectually. With minds blown or at least full, “we climbed every mountain”, and absorbed Salzburg and the Augustiner Beer Gardens before starting to grapple with our larger challenge ahead.
We started defining what an inclusive future should look like, the power, both positive and negative of media networks, and the new challenge of news avoidance caused by the breakdown in trust with media - a topic that I had particular empathy for. The negative of internet culture was a sobering session for my colleagues who only know social media dominated media but highlighted the importance of media literacy as a skill and a force for good. Even more sobering was the trip to the Mauthausen Memorial Site. It held significant importance for each one of us to acknowledge Austria's somber history during the reign of the Third Reich in World War II, as well as to pay tribute to the Holocaust victims. This profound remembrance serves as a constant, poignant reminder of the very reasons that fuel our collective determination to forge inclusive and equitable futures.
Soon, we were briefed to work as a team to push the boundaries of what is considered achievable and ideal and to think beyond the current realities and constraints of the world. Prioritize the most pressing impactful and transformative areas in which exponential impact can be achieved, with the goal of actualizing a more inclusive and equitable future. With this goal, we were tasked with envisioning these futures through a media lens and charting a path to reach there via transformative media experiences. But first getting a 4 am train for a day trip to Vienna (as you do!) which provided time to process the amazing lectures and workshops before we tried to reflect the critical thinking into a positive reimagination future where media and education can help communities do better.
My group was tasked with imagining the future of transit and travel. Being a diverse group of students, we all had our own views on transportation and thus, we created a chart of the pros and cons of all forms of transportation including cars, trains, buses, planes, and more. After this, we collectively decided to focus on the future of transit via trains. After days of individual research, we divided our team into groups to tackle different aspects of the final project. My friend Aliyah Mbamara and I were tasked with compiling the collective research and creating the written article for our final project. Our group also created 3 separate videos, multiple graphics, and a zine that we used to bring our project together. We pieced together a world where the shortcomings of other forms of transportation were answered by advancements in technology, sustainability, media, and accessibility through the use of trains. We named our project “Trainsformation” and delivered a compelling and well-thought-out presentation on our imagined future of transit and travel.
The group of brilliant minds formulating a more inclusive future of travel through trains.
Every student had a chance to present with their group the project they created together. There were presentations on journalism, health & medicine, education, and entertainment. With an array of brilliant minds from all over the world, I knew I was about to see the fruits of the labor from some of the smartest people I have ever met. I was fascinated by the solutions my colleagues came up with to answer the problems that faced their individual topics. My big takeaway was that the future is going to be in good hands if the Students from Salzburg Global Seminar play a role.
The end of our final presentations marked the end of our educational journey with the Salzburg Academy with my intellectual horizons stretched and made broader every level. As I reflect on those transformative moments, it becomes clear that my voyage with the Salzburg Academy not only reshaped my understanding of the world and media but also laid the foundation for an enriching and profound evolution of my character - A Global Citizen aware of the responsibilities that come with that.
Immersed in a dynamic academic environment, the Salzburg Academy on Media & Global Change provided a comprehensive and thought-provoking curriculum that delved deep into the intricate connections between media, societal dynamics, and the ever-evolving global landscape. Within every seminar, workshop, and academic session, we were asked to keep the theme of imagining inclusive and equitable futures at the forefront of our minds. The meticulously designed curriculum encompassed a diverse array of topics. This thoughtful approach to the curriculum ensured that every student, regardless of their academic, cultural, and social background, would extract valuable insights and knowledge. We had amazing dinners, and social events with laughter and passion radiating a confidence that I will wear with pride. One of the most valuable insights that I learned is that media literacy as a concept is a tool that can be used for the creation of diverse, equitable, and inclusive media spaces and communities but can also be used to create harmful media environments.
I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to some of Europe's most fascinating places and fully immerse myself in their vivid cultures during my excellent study abroad experience at the Salzburg Academy on Media & Global Change. I was amazed by the exquisite fusion of old-world architecture and contemporary vibrancy when I visited Vienna during my travels. My interest in Munich was piqued by the historical significance of places like the Nymphenburg Palace and the famous Marienplatz. As I continued on my journey, I also experienced a deep connection with Salzburg's gorgeous town itself. As I wandered through its cobbled streets, surrounded by the majestic Alps and the echoes of Mozart's legacy, I realized that every corner held a story, every alleyway a glimpse into a different era. These diverse experiences not only enriched my cultural awareness but also deepened my appreciation for the intricate interplay between media and global change, a theme that resonated throughout my entire study abroad journey.
The appreciation for my time with such world-class academics and brilliant student colleagues is hard to put into words. I need to give my personal thanks to Professor Paul Mihailidis for granting me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as well as his valuable insight and teachings that I will carry with me throughout the remainder of my education as well as my future career and personal life. I would also like to thank all of the faculty members and staff for their guidance and support as well as their hard work and dedication to not only creating insightful and inclusive seminars and workshops but also creating a nurturing environment where every student of the academy could learn and grow. I also wish to thank my family for making my attendance at the Salzburg Academy possible and for helping me spread my wings and take flight. Lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude to my friends and colleagues who joined me on this journey. My cohort of lovers, lunatics, and poets who climbed mountains with me, shared meals and stories with me, provided valuable knowledge and insight to group projects and workshops, and above all, blessed me with memories I will cherish for a lifetime. Every single person who took part in the Salzburg Academy on Media & Global Change had a profound impact on me, professors, faculty, and fellow students alike. All of you will forever have a special place in my heart and I will never forget the time we shared on this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
The students and professors of Emerson college attending the Salzburg Global Seminar
The Academy asked us to read the poem “O Me! O Life!” by Walt Whitman. The last 2 lines of the poem were particularly gripping.
“That you are here — that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.”
Since returning from Salzburg I had a lot of time to think about this idea of contributing a verse. The Salzburg Academy opened my eyes and I now realize that the connections we make with people in environments that inspire collaboration, diversity, and inclusion are the most important experiences we as humans can ever have. The verse I want to contribute is being able to contribute to the creation and facilitation of these environments and communities. I recognize that my experience in Salzburg is not one many people will ever be able to experience, which is why I want to help people achieve a similar experience so they have a chance to listen and to be listened to and to grow as individuals and as communities. We all contribute our individual verses to the fantastic poem we call life. It's connecting our verses and ourselves to others that form the stanzas and sonnets that create the pages in our powerful play.
