Venezuelan Student Shares Journey of Journalistic Freedom

NORMAN, Okla., March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the National Association for Foreign Students Advisors, 819,644 international students came to US universities and colleges during the 2012 -2013 school year. Each has their own reason for pursuing an education outside of their home country. Anna Maria Restuccia of Venezuela came to The University of Oklahoma in search of journalistic freedom.

Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication junior Restuccia shares her story of coming to The University of Oklahoma through the Discover OU video series.

"I cannot live with only one way of thinking and that's why I decided to study journalism at The University of Oklahoma," Restuccia said of her choice to attend OU. "I had too many barriers ahead of me...Every time we want to talk on TV, we are limited."

Feeling restricted, Restuccia decided to leave Venezuela in order to find expressive freedom. Restuccia's experiences are highly relevant in a time of uncertainty in her home country. Critics of Venezuelan media policies say it is difficult to provide clear messages to audiences.

Restuccia, a Public Relations and Journalism double major, decided to attend OU in order to pursue her dream of becoming a journalist. Although she misses friends, family and the culture of her homeland, she is thankful for the opportunities that have come with her decision to study at OU. "You value freedom here, and that's very important."

Restuccia is an anchor on the university's OU Nightly newscast and with Tyler Media as a Spanish-speaking anchor. She is also an active member of the Gaylord Ambassadors and PRSSA, a student organization that connects Public Relations majors on a national level. As a Gaylord Ambassador, Restuccia acts as a representative and liaison for the college. Restuccia is also a part of the student-run advertising and public relations agency, Lindsay and Asp, and has had internships with The Richards Group of Dallas, and the Venezuelan newspaper, Diario El Universal.

CONTACT:
The University of Oklahoma
Department of Web Communications
(405) 325-0058

Video - http://youtu.be/5lXway5QH_8

SOURCE The University of Oklahoma