New Student-Run Journal to Chronicle Life Abroad

A small but dedicated group of students, alumnae and faculty advisers are joining together to launch a new student-run online journal.

Global Impressions will provide a platform for short reflective essays by Smith students and alumnae on what it means to be a global citizen today. Supported by the Lewis Global Studies Center, Global Impressions invites all Smithies—students and alums—to share their stories of cross-cultural connections, mishaps and experiences that have helped them learn and grow. “As a Smith alumna who spent my junior year abroad in Paris and lived in Rome for two years after graduation, I am particularly excited to share Global Impressions with the Smith community,” says Laura Itzkowitz ’09, a member of the editorial board.

The college has a long history of engagement with global issues. Smith’s programs abroad have been a priority since 1925, when the Junior Year Abroad in Paris program was founded. In the 89 years since, countless students have taken advantage of the opportunity to study in a foreign country, both on Smith’s study abroad programs and independently. Many alumnae have returned to their host countries after graduation, or have sought new international experiences, says Itzkowitz, who is also serving as an alumna editor for the journal. “Many, like myself and fellow alumna editor Margaret Barthel ’13 already write about global issues and experiences.”

Likewise, some of Smith’s most famous alumnae have written about the joys and tribulations of sojourns far away and how it feels to return home. Take Julia Child ’34, whose book My Life in France continues to inspire Smith women, and Gloria Steinem ’56, who wrote about India for the Sophian during her postgraduate fellowship in 1957.

“We, the editorial board, are proud to follow in the footsteps of these women of letters,” Itzkowitz says. “We are confident that current and future Smithies will have plenty to add to the conversation.

“We believe it’s especially important to give students interested in writing a chance to have their work published, just as the Sophian helped give Gloria Steinem her start. We hope to teach future editors what it takes to run a successful online publication.”

Global Impressions will publish two issues per year as well as a special issue dedicated to telling the stories behind the Lewis Global Studies Center’s annual photo contest. Submissions are now being accepted for the journal’s inaugural issue. Click here for submission guidelines.