UDP Internacional

Wednesday November 26th, 2025

Under the title “The Future of Journalism,” the UDP School of Journalism conducted its first academic tour to New York City. The visit took place between October 6 and 10, as part of the ongoing alliance between our institution and Columbia University.

The UDP delegation consisted of five third- and fourth-year students: Antonia Baeza, Javiera Díaz, Valentina Rojas, Pablo Henríquez, and Ignacio Vera. They were accompanied by Professor and Registrar Francisca Lira; the Director of International Relations, Anoek van den Berg; and the Director of the School of Journalism, Professor Fernando Morales.

During the visit, students and faculty followed a packed agenda, which included an insightful tour of CNN’s New York headquarters and a meeting with Amy Entelis, Executive Vice President of Talent, CNN Originals, and Creative Development for CNN Worldwide. Additionally, the team toured the studios and newsroom of NBC, where they were welcomed by Rebecca Blumenstein, President of NBC News.

The UDP team also attended the Maria Moors Cabot Prizes ceremony, a prestigious award presented by Columbia University to journalists or organizations that contribute to Inter-American understanding. This year, the prize was awarded to journalists Nora Gámez Torres (USA), Omaya Sosa Pascual (Puerto Rico), Isabella Cota (Mexico), and Natalia Viana (Brazil). During the event, students had the chance to speak with the winners and learn more about their investigative projects.

Student and Faculty Perspectives

“The experience exceeded all my expectations (…). We were able to make contacts and build international networks,” commented Ignacio Vera, a senior student. Vera also highlighted the bond between the two universities: “I was surprised by the high expectations Columbia has for the UDP School of Journalism, regarding its academic quality, resources, and students.”

The program also included participation in various graduate classes at Columbia. “I learned so much about different cultures; the diversity was striking. In class, we could debate different perspectives on journalism in each country. Discovering something new from an academic standpoint is a top-tier experience as a university student,” said Valentina Rojas, a junior student. Her classmate, Pablo Henríquez, added that “it was an incredible trip that will mark a before and after in my performance as a journalism student and as a person.”

Francisca Lira, the School’s Registrar, emphasized the role of this tour in the university’s education: “The idea is to strengthen spaces, add joint academic projects, and incorporate themes of innovation, management, and new ways of storytelling.”

“One of the School’s objectives is to boost internationalization and connect with the issues shaping journalism globally. On that path, the link with Columbia opens up a vast amount of opportunities,” concluded Fernando Morales, Director of UDP Journalism.