Q: Thanks for maintaining your helpful Web site.
I am a college junior currently interning abroad in England. I have an internship set up this summer at a metropolitan daily in the U.S., but I am looking for a way to eventually get back to a newspaper in a foreign country.
I am working at a news wire right now and they tend to hire people with five or more years of experience. What should I do in the mean time as far as experience to get to a foreign news service or English-speaking daily?
Thanks so much,
Working abroad
A: This will vary greatly depending on where you would like to work. Immigration laws are different from place to place.
Although you did not say so, I’m guessing that you would like to work at an English-language publication.
Your English could be in great demand at publications in non-English speaking countries that need people who speak English. That could get you around that five-year minimum. It is unlikely you can cut to the front of the line for a wire service or newspaper based in an English-speaking country, as you don’t have much experience yet.
I have seen young American journalists have good luck, especially in Asia. Check out the Korea Times, China Daily and the Bangkok Post and the South China Morning Post.
As you look for opportunities, pay attention to the prevalence of English in the host country. Some countries, such as India and Singapore, are well familiar with English and do not really need to bring in English speakers from other countries.
