By Sarah Rankin

chh@heraldsun.com; 918-1035

CHAPEL HILL -- In the future, veteran foreign correspondent David Zucchino has tentative plans to partner with the UNC School of Journalism on two different initiatives.

The first would be a joint project of the school and Zucchino's current employer, the Los Angeles Times. One UNC student would be selected to accompany Zucchino to Kabul, Afghanistan, for perhaps 10 days in May 2010, shadowing him as he reports. The student would even do some writing of his or her own.

The second is that Zucchino will potentially teach a course in international reporting next fall. Richard Cole, dean emeritus and current professor in UNC's School of Journalism and Mass Communication, discussed the idea with Zucchino.

"When he's here in Chapel Hill, he'll teach it in person, of course," Cole said. "And when he's on the road, he'll teach it by Blackboard, videolink, etc. It will be a great opportunity for students."

Zucchino said that students interested in a career path similar to his should read and write as much as possible and stay informed of current events.

"It's important to have at least a thin layer of knowledge about a lot of things," he said.

Zucchino said he will continue traveling and writing as long as he can -- as long as he has a job.

The Los Angeles Times is owned by the Tribune Co., which is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

In the meantime, Zucchino will continue traveling and writing and maybe even making time to play a little croquet.