Digital Storytelling is the process of giving a narrative voice to an experience. You start by reflecting on that experience, prompted by your memories and records (written and visual) of that experience. As you identify themes in that experience, a narrative arc will emerge that becomes the basis of the digital story that you compose. A typical digital story is 2-3 minutes, and combines your spoken narrative with digital photos and/or videos, accompanied by music that complements your story.
Steps to writing your story:
Before you go: Identify your goals for studying abroad. How do you plan to grow:
Academically?
Professionally?
Personally?
While abroad: Live with a spirit of curiosity and go beneath the surface of your host country’s culture. Ask “why” questions. What elements of your host country’s culture do you find interesting and meaningful to you?
Take a variety of digital images. Take photos and videos not just for social media posts, but also for the powerful digital story you are formulating.
Remain mindful of your goals for studying abroad. How have they been impacted by your experiences?
How have you grown and changed during your study abroad? How have you become a more resilient traveler?
Write a journal that helps you to unpack and to remember your study abroad experiences.
After you return: Reflect on your experiences by reviewing your journal entries and your images. Ask yourself: what are my most important takeaways from my study abroad experience?
Script development–try to establish a theme with a clearly established point of view and narrative arc. Need script writing assistance? Make an appointment with the Howe Writing Center.
Curate your images/videos based on your script.
Decide on the tools/software for producing your digital story.
Do an audio recording of your script–try to keep it under five minutes.
Choose background music that fits with your digital story.
Sync the audio and the video in a polished production.
Publish the finished version in an accessible format.
What to do with your digital story:
Share with your friends and family!
Use in social media and LinkedIn
Submit to the Global Initiatives Video Contest during International Education Week