American students live in an increasingly global society; their education and professional development should prepare them to participate in it. The International Storytelling course offered by Kent State University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication combines engaged experiential learning with international work and recreation, allowing our students to develop their journalism skills while broadening their understanding of the world.

The previous five years of International Storytelling included two-week reporting projects in China, India, Brazil, Estonia and South Korea. This year, we went to Cyprus.

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, situated in the northeastern corner of that sea, at the meeting point of Europe, Asia and Africa. Since the dawn of history, Cyprus has been one of the most interesting areas of the region, with a rich and visible culture.

Cyprus also is one of the most geopolitically strategic countries in the world with unique bicultural, binational and bilingual compositions. Divided into a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north since 1974, residents of each side of the island crossed the island’s “Green Line” in 2003 for the first time after border restrictions were eased. The capital city, Nicosia, which served as the students’ base for reporting, is the last divided capital city in the world. On-going attempts at reunification provided a fascinating background for stories about the political situation’s impact on politics, business, industry and even the arts. Recent attention to the island following increased entrance of Syrian refugees seeking European settlement and support led our reporters and photographers to other timely stories.

We invite you to read their stories, watch their videos and look at their pictures so you can experience Cyprus as they did during two weeks in March 2016.