Christina Durano Bio
Christina Durano is an award-winning junior broadcast journalism major and political science minor at Texas Christian University. This semester, she is studying abroad at the University of Westminster in London, England. Christina has been reporting for Palestra.net--The College Network since March 2008 and aspires to be an international or political correspondent or national television reporter/anchor. Christina's passion for broadcast journalism began in 2002 when she produced and hosted two television series for a community cable channel. Since then, she has had the privilege of interning at FOX News Channel (summer 2008) and the CBS News London Bureau (fall 2008), reporting and anchoring TCU's campus newscast (2006-present), contributing to National Geographic-Glimpse (fall 2008), producing and directing 2 award-winning documentaries and reporting for TCU's campus newspaper. In addition to journalism and school work, Christina enjoys spending time with friends and family, studying the Bible, traveling, reading, writing, and participating in numerous student organizations, including student government, leadership center activities, Alpha Phi Omega community service fraternity, student foundation and harp ensemble.
myProfile
- Home Town:
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Favorite Sport:
- Snow Skiing
- Favorite Band:
- Casting Crowns
- Major:
- Broadcast Journalism/Political Science
recentPosts
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If Europe Could Vote...
2008-10-22 07:26:12
It's hard to believe that in less than two weeks, we will know who the next President of the United States will be. Living in Europe during the election should be especially interesting.
I mentioned in my last blog that the first question people always ask me when they find out I'm American is "Who are you voting for." After weeks of getting this question, I decided to turn the tables and ask them the same question. Who do THEY support in the U.S. election?
I've talked to a lot of people--students, professors, street vendors, professionals, and the hobo on corner--about this issue. Since Europe is so diverse, I expected to receive a mixture of answers to my question. But no.
Every SINGLE person I have asked here supports Sen. Barack Obama. No joke. And I'm not just talking about the Brits either. I've talked to students from Greece, Spain, France, Italy, and other European nations as well. But I am determined to find at least one European citizen who prefers Sen. John McCain to Sen. Barack Obama. There has to be at LEAST one!
A recent Gallup poll (http://www.gallup.com/poll/111253/World-Citizens-Prefer-Obama-McCain-Nearly-4to1.aspx)representing more than 2 billion of the world's adult citizens showed a nearly 4-to-1 preference for Sen. Barack Obama over Sen. John McCain among those who said they knew enough to have an opinion.
Why do they support him? Well, a variety of reasons. I've heard everything from, "Because he's cool," to "Because he is more connected to the American people," to "Because he will stop the war."
Whatever the reasons, one thing is certain: if Europe could vote, Obama wouldn't have to worry about winning the election.
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The Biggest Question...
2008-10-14 17:08:08
While most of my friends at TCU just finished fall break, I recently came off summer break and started classes--for the first time this semester. No, I didn't ditch the first half of the semester. This fall, I am studying abroad at the University of Westminster in London, England. I absolutely love the UK and wish I could stay here forever, but alas. I'll just have to make the most of my 10 weeks abroad.
Although it sometimes feels like I'm in a different universe, at other times, I feel like I'm right back in the states. One of the primary reason for this is the Brits' obsession with America. I open the morning paper and undoubtedly see American news in the headlines. When I go to nightclubs or restaurants, American pop artists are the music of choice. And, perhaps MOST interestingly, the first question people ask me when they find out I'm American is, "Who are you voting for?" No joke.
I've always thought of it as a faux pas to ask someone their political beliefs before you know their name--but apparently it's perfectly normal here, even in the academic setting. Yesterday was the first day of my political science class at the UK university. After introductions, my professor looked me in the eye and, without hesitation, asked, "What do you think of the U.S. election? Who are you voting for?" My jaw nearly dropped. On my first day of work at a UK news organization, I received the same question. And again when my neighbor introduced myself to me. Even when I just stop in stores to buy postcards, I always get asked about my political beliefs.
I'm quite fascinated with why the British, who live thousands of miles from America, are so interested in something many Americans seem apathetic about. Perhaps it's because they know the next U.S. President is not just going to impact America--he is going to impact the world. In my eyes, this should serve as a reminder to those of us who can affect the outcome of the U.S. Presidential election: utilize your right to change history and vote!
Christina's last-5
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Why Do Europeans Love Obama?
Palestra.net's Christina Durano is studying abroad in London and she asks locals why they're so excited for Obama.
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European Media Bias In American Election?
Palestra.net's Christina Durano is studying abroad in London, but the American election is the hot topic across the pond. Who is the European media leaning towards?
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World Premier Of New 007 Rocks London
Palestra.net's Christina Durano is at the world premier of the new James Bond movie in London... Recognize anyone on the red carpet?
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Europeans On The Presidential Election
Do our friends across the pond want John McCain or Barack Obama as the next American President? Palestra.net's Christina Durano finds out.
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Absentee Voting From London
The election is almost here! Palestra.net's Christina Durano shows you how to do absentee voting... even if you're out of the country.
