This paper reflects on a service-learning public journalism project in which postgraduate journalism students have explored ways to engage with and report alongside diverse communities. The project’s aim has been to experiment with community journalism practices that give greater power to communities by prioritising listening, reciprocity and two-way engagement. By testing a ‘side-by-side’ storytelling process and prioritising reflection on students’ relationships, dialogue and interaction with sources and communities, the project, which is community-focused and embedded, has aimed to build students’ understanding about inclusive journalism, civic responsibility and intercultural communication as it relates to their own practice.