International Journalism in Ethiopia with Projects Abroad

  Ethiopia

• Other Cities in Ethiopia: 
Addis Ababa

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Year Round / Rolling Starts

Description: Interning on a journalism internship with Projects Abroad is an excellent way to gain international journalism experience. Located in Addis Ababa, you'll have the chance to work in a fascinating new country and experience life fully immersed in Ethiopian culture.

For interns on a gap year who are looking to get into a related university course, or those wanting real work experience following graduation or are on a career break, our journalism internships in Ethiopia will give access to invaluable work experience that will increase your prospects within a highly competitive job market.

Your resume will be greatly enhanced by the practical skills that you gain during your journalism internship as well as proving your adaptability and resourcefulness by working in a strikingly different environment such as Ethiopia.

Print Journalism Internships in Ethiopia

Our journalism internships in Ethiopia offer interns the chance to work for the weekly publication, The Reporter. All journalism interns must have good computer skills, a strong interest in journalism and the media, and be willing to work hard. While no formal qualifications are required to join this project, previous journalism experience is preferred. When you apply, please give us as much information as possible about any relevant experience or skills you have.

Interns will have the opportunity to write and publish many articles. These articles may be restaurant reviews, events coverage, international news, a foreigner's view of Ethiopia, or general lifestyle pieces about a topic assigned to you by the editor, or of your own choice. You may be taught how to go out and find stories on the streets of Addis, giving you the confidence and skills to do the same at home after your return.

Interns will also play a key role in proof reading and editing work from other writers before it is printed. If you have an interest in sales and marketing, there may also be opportunities to work within the advertising department of the paper, where you can help design or write advertisements and sell advertising space to external companies wishing to gain some exposure.

For your colleagues, working alongside an English language speaker will be highly valued as it will enable them to advance their own language skills, not to mention satisfy their general fascination with other cultures. Work colleagues will have good levels of English but will always be eager to learn more!

Your Role as a Journalism Intern in Ethiopia

During your internship, interns are expected to be punctual and professional and are required to work an average of 30 hours per week - usually Monday to Friday. Interns are given a supervisor at The Reporter, who will allocate you stories and ensure that you are happy with your work. You will also spend time at the Horn of Africa Press Institute, used as a research center by The Reporters staff.

All stories need to be submitted by Thursday or Friday afternoon, when the exciting dash to complete the final edition begins. During this time, interns will be expected to work alongside their co-workers in order to finalize all content, layout, and printing, giving you valuable insight into of all aspects of this fast paced and complex task.

Whatever your level of experience, your input will be greatly encouraged and appreciated. Take the opportunity to make your own recommendations, or explain practices back home. Your adaptability and willingness to learn will be appreciated by your colleagues and you will really begin to feel like a part of the team.

Highlights: During the weekends, you can take time off from your volunteer work to explore the attractions of Addis Ababa. It's fascinating to see the mud huts basking in the shadows of lavish high-rise hotels. Priests in traditional dress hurry along the streets alongside suited businessmen chatting on cell phones, avoiding the passing donkeys and speeding Land Rovers.

The choice of entertainment is equally varied with plenty of activities to choose from. You can spend hours exploring the Merkato, one of the largest markets in Africa, visit a tej beat - a traditional local pub - or catch the latest Hollywood blockbuster at a movie theater. Addis Ababa is also home to some of the best museums in Africa as well as great restaurants, serving some of the most highly seasoned food anywhere on the African continent. Popular traditional Ethiopian specialties include the stew-like wat and the staple bread, injera.

At the end of your international volunteer experience, you can take the opportunity to travel to Lalibela, a place of pilgrimage with churches hewn straight out of the bedrock, located 2630m above sea level. Although Lalibela is one of Ethiopia's main visitor attractions, it still remains very isolated and you'll feel like you've traveled back many centuries.

Independent travel in Ethiopia is hugely rewarding, even though the infrastructure of the country is fairly basic. You'll get used to the curiosity that you attract as a Westerner and you'll make many warm and genuine friends here.

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 3,095 and Up

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 16 and up

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

Participants Travel to Ethiopia Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 2-5

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• 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