Jack Allsopp '21
Making a difference now with impactful journalism
“The crux of being a writer is the realization that you never really know what the impact of your writing will be. You publish your articles out into the world and hope they have the impact you intended,” says Jack Allsopp ’21.
Jack has made the most of the opportunities to put his writing into the world during his time at the University of New England. Through his experience as editor of UNE’s online newspaper, The Bolt, and as a contributor to Moorish Tides, an online magazine featuring student experiences traveling abroad at UNE’s Morocco campus, Jack has built an impressive portfolio of work and discovered his passion for journalism.
Originally from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Jack knew he wanted to attend college in Maine. “I had visited Maine every summer since I was eight years old, and had always loved it there. When I discovered the University of New England, I felt the size of the school would be perfect for me because I knew I didn’t want to attend a large state school,” says Jack. “I was also attracted to UNE’s Global Education program. The fall of my freshman year, I applied to spend a semester abroad in Morocco and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”
Jack spent the 2018 fall semester in Morocco. The experience provided him with several opportunities to find his footing as a journalist and discover the type of writing he wanted to do. “The crown jewel of everything I have written to date is Abdul’s American Love Story. This is my favorite article, not only because of the resulting story but because of the whole experience behind its creation. I met a shopkeeper in the Medina of Tangier who was the friendliest and most interesting person I have ever met in my entire life. I felt I had to know more about him, so I sat down with him to listen to his life story. I spent time crafting his story, and afterward, I knew that this what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
Jack also tackled one of his hardest assignments while in Morocco. As a summer camp counselor back in the states, he had a lot of experience working with children, mostly from privileged backgrounds. But in Tangier, he encountered children sleeping out on the streets in cardboard boxes and under trees. He knew he wanted to use his writing as a tool to raise awareness about their situation but also knew this would require him to walk a fine line. He didn’t want to exploit these children, and he was forced to take a hard look at his own privilege. “It’s extremely difficult to talk to a young, homeless child, then walk away. My own emotional response seemed like a consequence of wanting to write an article that about their situation.”
Jack’s hard work is paying off. He was awarded the Maine Press Association's 2021 scholarship, a highly competitive and prestigious award from the state's journalism association and he landed an internship with the Portland Press Herald, where he is currently working on an article about the safety of eating out in restaurants during COVID. “Winning the scholarship and receiving the internship affirm that I am on the right path. Both motivate me to keep going. What I love about journalism is that it provides me with opportunities to investigate a vast array of topics. I get to consult with experts in the field, or carry out one-on-one interviews, then report back out my findings. My hope in doing so is to create some impact on those who read my words.”
Read these articles by Jack Allsopp published in Moorish Tides: