USC journalism student Rowan Schindler has been fundraising to buy himself an awesome camera and equipment to go over to The Arctic to create a documentary or short film on the culture of the Inuit people. So Her Campus USC decided to get the lowdown on why he’s doing it, why journalism is his passion and his advice for new journalism students!
Rowan at Seal Rocks in New South Wales.
HC: Tell us about yourself, why do you do journalism?
Rowan: I began doing journalism because I love to hear peoples stories and I love being able to relate to different people. I grew up in a pretty small rural town but went to a private school in Ipswich, so I feel as though I have the skills from my experience to be able to relate to different people. I also couldn’t wait to get out of that town and see the world. Journalism is a way to experience the world and all the little stories in it.
HC: What made you choose to embark on this project?
Rowan: I chose to embark on this project for a few reasons. The most obvious is that it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Not many people get to go to the Arctic, let alone many Australians. I also love adventure and getting out of the norm. Anybody who knows me knows that I can’t stand routine and repetition. I am sure my lecturers and tutors know that too.
HC: Have you travelled a long way from home before?
Rowan: I have been to Europe three times, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Thailand. It may be a lot to some people but to others it isn’t much at all. I feel as though the furthest I have travelled has been in my own country. My family drove to Barcaldine (west of Longreach, to see dinosaur footprints and where Waltzing Matilda was set) when I was a little kid. That felt like a lifetime.
Rowan in Thailand.
HC: Tell us why travel and adventure journalism is what you want to do?
Rowan: Travel and adventure journalism is what I want to do because it offers exactly those things – travel and adventure. I love politics and news and all of that side of journalism too but I find it very mundane to focus on those things. When you travel you take in all the different kinds of politics of the places you travel to and when you “adventure” you gain some kind of perspective on life from the situations you get yourself into.
HC: How did you find out about funding site, Pozible?
Rowan: I found out about Pozible through my cousin. He owns and runs an Asian food business called Steamed which serve dumplings and things. There was a Pozible project to get the funds together to make/buy a bike vendor to deliver and sell their goods. They got the funds and they got the bike! You can see it riding through Brisbane if you keep and eye out.
HC: Would you recommend using this site to anyone?
Rowan: I would recommend using the site, definitely. In this day and age loans are crippling people, especially young people. Crowdfunding sites like Pozible and Kickstarter offer the chance for unique ventures and projects to come to life and for people to be creative. These kind of things give opportunities to people who may otherwise not get those opportunities.
HC: What are your hopes and goals with journalism and this project?
Rowan: My hopes and goals… that’s a tough one. I hope that my journalism degree will give me the skills to perform the jobs that I (and possible future employers) set myself. I certainly hope that my skills will enable me to make this project a success and I think about the motion of things and the systems and processes that need to be in place for me to make it a success. I hope that the weather while I am in the Arctic behaves for me and I hope I don’t forget to take the camera indoors while in the Arctic (The temperature change will cause it to form condensation and burn out the electronics). I really hope I don’t forget about that.
As for goals, I want to live a happy and satisfying life. I know that may sound stupid but I have learnt that things like stress is the root of all evil – it makes good people bad and ruins relationships and lives. I don’t want to pursue money at all, that has never and will never be my goal (if it was, I certainly wouldn’t be doing journalism). I have a goal for my friends and family to be proud of me I guess, in whatever field of career that life takes me. You could say my number one goal is to go with the flow and things will end up alright.
HC: What’s your advice for current journalism students?
Rowan: My advice to current journalism students is to not take life too seriously. Obviously there are times to put on a serious face, but never lose your sense of humour. Especially during your degree, try and relax and go with the flow. Professionally speaking, don’t be a ladder climber and don’t suck up. Be yourself, be honest and be friendly. People respect those things above everything else.
To pledge funds for Rowan click here!