Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute
June 28 to July 24, 2026
Northwestern University Campus
Evanston, Illinois
Video by Sam Ferenchick. Illustration by Nora Ahearn.
Cherubs is more than a journalism camp.
From high schools around the world, we came to Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in Evanston, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. We immersed ourselves in media for four weeks in the summer of 2025. We studied writing, reporting and editing for print, digital and broadcast. We took pictures, edited videos, and created websites and podcasts. We made lifelong friends. As our instructors said, “Welcome to the best summer of your life.” Explore this website for a tour of the journalism wonderland known as “Medill Cherubs.”
Criticism becomes part of the craft
Cherubs were first shocked to get instructor feedback, but worked through constructive criticism.
Getting a lead on journalism careers
Lectures, field trips and labs give cherubs a peek into professional journalism.
Cherubs take advantage of their support system
The Medill cherub program is made up of people eager to help.
Laughing in every language: Making friends across continents
Diverse cherubs forge international bonds over a short four weeks.
LISTEN: Diving into dorm life
Listen to how cherubs adjusted to sharing a living space with a stranger.
Learning from behind the desk: How cherubs broke into broadcast journalism
Cherubs didn’t just learn how to write — they also took classes in photo, audio and video journalism.
The only L cherubs take is the train
Cherubs experience the Chicago L train together.
One small step for man, 17,000 smaller steps for cherubs
Cherubs take to the streets of Evanston step by step.
A cherub guide to Evanston favorites
These were the go-to spots for the 2025 cherubs as they explored Evanston during their four weeks at Northwestern.
Gallery: Students compete in annual Junior Junior Olympics
Cherubs faced off in challenges to earn points for their instructor groups.
Headers and kickers at Evanston soccer tournament
Cherubs compete and win a prize at Evanston Unity Soccer Festival.
Around the world in 90 cherubs
Meet each of the 90 cherubs in an interactive map.
