Description

Besides gaining valuable experience whilst enhancing your skills, developing your techniques and observing alternative working methods and standards at first hand, joining the Journalism Project will give you a real insight into the lives, traditions and cultures of the community in which you are based.

Your role will vary depending on your previous experience, skills and abilities, and on the publication you are assigned to assist. However, whether you are assigned to a small independent publication or a larger newspaper, your work will be varied and each day will be different.

A variety of locations is available to volunteers joining the project, offering a unique opportunity to get involved with grass-roots journalism whilst experiencing all that the fascinating and diverse city of Cochabamba has to offer.

Previous volunteers have completed assignments with:
* Daily, fortnightly or monthly newspapers.
* Magazines and Sunday supplements.
* Business, arts or sports publications.
* Social and Society journals.
* School, university and community newsletters.

Whatever the type of publication, you will enjoy a valuable and rewarding experience during your time spent there and will be able to put your journalistic skills and knowledge to great use, whilst interacting with the people you meet on a daily basis.

Spending time researching a particular issue or topic, gathering background information and conducting interviews will give you an understanding of the diverse challenges facing different local communities and give you the opportunity to formulate and put to print your own interpretation of the many conflicting opinions that a particular issue generates.

Some examples of what your daily schedule could involve:
* Story research and Investigative journalism
* Conducting interviews
* Writing and submitting articles for publication
* Sports reporting
* Police, Crime and Court cases
* Attending Press conferences
* Special features - Ranging from visits by foreign Heads of State, to the local school fair
* Translations - For publications with an International or On-Line readership
* Photography - Either single item inserts, or full photo-shoot features
* Marketing, print production, administration and finances

Most publications will give longer term volunteers the opportunity to become involved in design and layout, and a chance to proof-read and sub-edit.

As a volunteer journalist you will be using your previous training and experience to offer advice and help to improve all aspects of the newspaper's production. Some of your new peers will perhaps be less experienced than you, and you will be given plenty of opportunity to share your knowledge and training with them.

Of course you will also be working alongside talented, well-respected professionals who will be happy to share their experience with you, offering the chance to learn and apply valuable new skills.

There will always be someone willing to listen to any ideas or suggestions you have for articles, reviews, features, etc., and to offer advice and guidance whilst you are with them.

We work with several publications that receive volunteers, and you will be allocated a project location taking into account your level of Spanish and journalistic interests and experience.

Any specific interests you have can often be catered for, please let us know if there any areas you are especially keen to be involved with radio & television.

As an alternative to print journalism, placements with local television and radio stations are sometimes available.

Please ask for details. Please note the following essential requirements for this project:
* An outgoing, friendly and creative personality.
* Patience to work with staff who may have less experience than yourself.
* Confidence in your abilities to produce quality work to meet a deadline that cannot be extended.
* An intermediate to advanced level of Spanish.

Highlights

Bolivia Volunteers, with over fifteen years' experience, is the leading independent provider of low cost volunteer placements in Bolivia.

Our volunteers give direct, meaningful and lasting help where it is needed most.

We see no need to charge excessive fees to provide everything necessary to ensure your time with us is comfortable, enjoyable, productive and rewarding.

Qualifications

Previous experience in Print, Radio or Television journalism. (Or an advanced level of College / University studies.)
Intermediate to Advanced Spanish.

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

600 for 4 weeks placement

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support

Program Fees Include:

* Pre-placement support & information
* Meet & greet service on arrival in Cochabamba
* Escorted transfer to accommodation
* Host family accommodation
* Private room with access to bathroom, kitchen & social areas
* Three meals a day
* Welcome meeting & city orientation
* Project materials & protective clothing if required
* Bi-lingual (Spanish-English) placement coordinator
* 24 hour emergency contact numbers
* Transport to point of departure from Cochabamba
* Pre-departure assistance

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Journalism

Age Range

18 - 25

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

One week

Bolivia Volunteers's Mission Statement

Volunteering should be about giving direct, meaningful and lasting help where help is needed most. We see no need to charge excessive fees to provide all the services and facilities necessary to ensure a volunteer's time with us is comfortable, enjoyable, productive and rewarding. Our volunteers work in a variety of placements including sports coaching, orphanage support, street children, tourism, journalism and teaching assistant projects. Accommodation is provided through Family Homes so that volunteers are able to play an active part in a traditional family life and the local community. Through our programmes, volunteers experience the customs, traditions and cultures, architecture, cuisine and leisure facilities of their chosen city, whilst helping those who need it most.

Year Founded

1993