Where stories begin: Global Scholar Lea Ševelj in Los Angeles
Imagine walking the streets of Los Angeles, the sun shining over iconic movie studios, while every lesson you’ve ever learned about storytelling unfolds around you in real time. For Lea Ševelj, a third-year Global Business Management student, this is a reality. As part of the RIT Global Scholars program, she’s spending a semester at the epicenter of the entertainment world, immersed in hands-on projects, studio tours, and industry insights that transform the way she sees storytelling and media.
The RIT Global Scholars program gives students firsthand exposure to the entertainment industry while earning a minor in Transmedia Storytelling. It is a unique opportunity for students from diverse disciplines, such as marketing, finance, management, hospitality, and digital media, to see how their skills contribute to storytelling across multiple platforms. For Lea, this experience has been both eye-opening and transformative, blending academic learning with real-world experiences in the heart of Hollywood.
Hollywood as a classroom
Initially planning to major in marketing, Lea discovered that the Transmedia Storytelling program offered a new perspective: viewing storytelling as a form of marketing within the entertainment world. “Studying in Los Angeles has been such an incredible and eye-opening experience,” she shares. “The program is such a good mix of learning and experiencing things in person. I get to see everything we discuss in class about media and storytelling happening around me in real time.”
Her studies have also reshaped the way she thinks about storytelling. “Building a single project involves so many people and roles, which has made me appreciate how large and cooperative the industry is. I’ve realized how important flexibility is; stories today need to exist across different media and cultural contexts.”
Hands-on experiences are a highlight of the program. Lea and her peers have explored iconic sets and studios, from Barbie and Batman to Beauty and the Beast. “Walking through the sets of popular movies and seeing the props and costumes that actors actually used was surreal. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios was especially unforgettable; it was so realistic and scary!”
Navigating LA Life as a Global Scholar
A typical week as a Global Scholar mixes classes, project work, and excursions. Mondays and Tuesdays are spent in class, Wednesdays and Thursdays working on projects for a professor’s company, and Fridays exploring the city and the entertainment industry firsthand. Between classes, Lea and her classmates enjoy coffee, lunch, and discovering Los Angeles’ beaches, landmarks, and cultural spots.
Adapting to life in Los Angeles also came with its challenges. “One of the biggest adjustments was realizing just how large and spread out the city is; you can’t really get anywhere without a car! I also noticed how open and confident people are when it comes to networking and sharing their goals. It took me a bit of time to adapt, but it’s taught me a lot about confidence and communication.” One of Lea’s standout experiences so far was attending The Grill conference by TheWrap, where she heard from industry leaders like Jerry Bruckheimer and Jeffrey Katzenberg. “It was inspiring and something I could never have experienced in Croatia,” she says.
For students considering the Global Scholars program, Lea’s advice is simple: “Just go for it, even if it feels scary! Studying abroad pushes you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible. Be open to every opportunity, meet as many people as you can, and make the most of being in a completely new environment.”
