Journalism in Moldova with Projects Abroad

  Moldova

Chisinau

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: All Year Round (you choose the start and end date)

Description: Come gain international journalism experience in thrilling Moldova!

Our journalism projects in Moldova offer you worthwhile practical experience working in a newspaper office in the capital city of Chisinau. You will start off shadowing a local journalist, giving you the chance to see how news articles are put together locally. You will then spend time researching your own news stories and features and conducting interviews within the community. The Editor will be eager to hear any ideas you may have and your placement supervisor will be on hand to give help and advice, though inspiration should come easily while living in such a different culture. Your articles will be translated into Russian to appear in the local press.

There are also some possibilities working on a medical journal which is produced in Russian, Romanian and English. You will be a key part of the team looking at the English language section.

One of our volunteer placements is at the independent newspaper Ziarul de Garda. This publication tends to focus on investigative reporting, with recent articles focusing on issues such as corruption, human rights violations and people trafficking. Volunteers also work at a corporate newspaper called Business Elita which is distributed to over 6000 companies in the Chisinau area. Working within this friendly team of journalists you are likely to find yourself writing on business-related stories from a variety of perspectives; some volunteers have done interviews with important political figures, others have been asked to present their own views on Eastern European trade.

If you find yourself volunteering at the newspaper Trud you will be working for a record-breaking publication! Translated as 'work', or 'labour' Trud is in the Guinness Book of Records for having once had the largest ever circulation of 21.5 million! Further placements are at the medical journal Courier and the scientific publication Bio Synopsis.

For other volunteer programs in Moldova, we have Teach English, Care Work and Medicine projects available for the participants to choose from.

Highlights: The standard Moldovan language is considered by most linguists to be identical to standard Romanian, which is an eastern Romance language. Colloquial spoken 'Moldovan' differs from Romanian because it has a distinct Russian influence. Native Russian is spoken by a significant minority of the population. Moldovan culture has the same roots as Romanian culture, and has been influenced by Roman colonization, the Byzantine Empire, neighboring Slavic and Magyar populations, Ottoman Turks, Slavic and Russian culture and most recently Western Europe, especially France (French influence can be seen in literature and art).

All accommodation is organized, paid for, and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in Moldova.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: none

Cost in US$: From USD 2,445 and up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: open minded with a desire to travel

Age Range: 16-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Moldova Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992