Spring Break 2026
During Spring Break 2026, five journalism and three advertising students, accompanied by three College of Media Faculty will travel to Accra, Ghana for 10 days.
This program will develop students’ advanced storytelling capabilities across several media through immersive, cross-cultural journalism and strategic communications focused on Ghana’s kayayei (young female head porters). The identified location—Accra, Ghana— directly supports learning outcomes as students investigate the “pull” factors of the kayayei migration from North to South. Journalism students will produce narratives across documentary film, 360° video, audio journalism, social media campaigns, print comics, photographs and text, while advertising students develop strategic communications campaigns for partner NGOs. This approach combines advanced technical skills training with ethical international practices, preparing students to tell complex global stories with cultural competency.
Advertising Students will work to:
- Develop strategic communications campaigns for partner NGOs.
- Support the amplification of journalism students and their work across social media, websites, and other platforms.
- Learn about global advertising strategies by collaborating with international communications teams and analyzing cross-cultural campaign approaches.
Meet the Advertising Students
Oluwatomi Dugbo
Class year: 2026
Major / Minor: Advertising, Journalism
Interests: As an advertising major, I am especially interested in how culture influences consumer behavior and communication. I am currently taking a global advertising course, where we are learning how advertising strategies differ across countries because of cultural context.
Sara Kulesza
Class year: 2026
Major / Minor: Advertising, Public Relations and Business (Ad Sales)
Interests: I want to learn more about the advertising and ad sales and investment industry, especially the day-to-day responsibilities, skill sets, and opportunities available within agencies and on the client side. I want to gain practical insights that will help me prepare for a successful career in ad sales.
Odi Ogbuefi
Class year: 2026
Major / Minor: Advertising, Informatics
Interests: I am interested in how technology intersects with advertising, specifically the impact who will have on minority communities. I plan to work full-time after graduating in an account management or strategy role.
Follow Our Journey
Illinois Global Docs
Illinois Advertising
ADVentures in Ghana
Where Creativity Meets Culture: Our Visit to Innova DDB and Ogilvy Ghana
Art, Culture, and Community: Exploring Accra’s Galleries
From Filming to Sharing: Documenting Stories in Real Time
Kayayei Youth Association
From Kantamanto Market to Kokrobite: A Day of Work, Culture, and Rhythm
