BRIDGET KELLEY
1988-89 Traveling Fellow
Global Journalism: A Study of the International Press
Bridget’s project was an investigation into the operation and influence of daily newspapers across different cultural contexts. She met with journalists, business leaders and government officials in 15 different countries, each with varying degrees of press access and freedom.
Hometown: Cranford, New Jersey
Majors: English and History
Bridget Kelley is the Supervising Senior Editor of NPR's award-winning afternoon news magazine, All Things Considered. The Traveling Fellowship cemented her interest in journalism and led her to various reporting opportunities in the UK and US, until she landed at NPR in Washington D.C., where she has spent most of her career working as a show producer and editor.
At Vanderbilt, Bridget was the Editor of The Hustler and the Young Alumni Trustee for the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust.
“The Fellowship introduced me to a world of ideas and sparked an abiding love of travel and adventure. I met extraordinary people, made lifelong friends and developed a deep interest in international news and current affairs. I learned to travel light, embrace adventure and make connections with people across continents and cultures. I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity.”
— Bridget Kelley, 1988-89
ITINERARY
Costa Rica
Nicaragua
El Salvador
Guatemala
Mexico
Japan
South Korea
Taiwan
Hong Kong
Philippines
Indonesia
Singapore
Malaysia
Thailand
India
TRAVEL STORIES
When I arrived in San Salvador, I headed for a guest house I had picked out of my guidebook. I was pleased that it was centrally located and reasonably priced, and as soon as I was settled, I reached out to one of my contacts in the city. He was horrified to learn where I was, told me to bolt the door and not leave until he arrived. That was the end of my brief and thankfully uneventful stay in the red light district.
I had a Vanderbilt reunion of sorts in Seoul, where I met Kim Soo-Woong, an alumnus of the Graduate Program in Economic Development who was the Economics Editor of The Hankook Ilbo, one of the leading daily newspapers. Mr. Kim and his lovely family hosted me during my stay, introducing me not just to other journalists but to Korean art, food and culture.
Is there a more colorful place in India than Rajasthan? Several former fellows recommended it to me, and even all these years later, I have a vivid memory of scarlet turbans, purple saris, mirrored shawls, gold jewelry – colors that enhanced the fantastic forts and palaces. Who wouldn’t want to try a camel safari in Jaisalmer?