Journalism in Bolivia with Projects Abroad

  Bolivia

Cochabamba

Term: Throughout the year 
Dates: all year round

Description: Experience the thrills of being an internationally published journalist or a news broadcaster for local radio station "Radio del Valle!" Both of these are possible in enchanting Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Print Journalism

Volunteers participating in the print journalism project in Bolivia work for the 'Cocha-Banner,' an English-language newspaper 'written by the Cocha people, for the Cocha people!' The Banner was established by Projects Abroad and is distributed for free within the city. The paper covers a variety of topics from news and current affairs to special features and reviews.

Working alongside a local journalist, you will be given a range of responsibilities, everything from researching stories and interviewing people to writing articles and editing. Students from Cochabamba University contribute to the paper, so you will also be able to get involved with editing and proofreading articles written by them.

There are always lots of things going on in and around Cochabamba, so you will never be short of stories. Whether you are reporting on a strike, interviewing a local politician or attending a function, your knowledge of Bolivia and its people will grow as your confidence increases.

Radio Journalism

Radio Del Valle is located just 10 minutes from the Projects Abroad office. Dr. Antonio Revollo, the owner of the radio station, is keen to welcome volunteers to both help and gain experience at his station. The radio station broadcasts 24 hours per day and has three staff members. The station plays music (oldies, local, 70s-80s) and broadcasts sports programs, youth programs and news.

Volunteers can get involved with learning about production, researching stories, creating or recording a specific program to take home and participating in discussion shows.

For this project it is important that volunteers have an intermediate level of Spanish. The radio station broadcasts only in Spanish and you would need to be confident reading Spanish articles and compiling your own stories in Spanish in order to get the most from the placement.

Highlights: This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with this pioneering publication and learn about all aspects of the journalistic process, while experiencing life in this vibrant Bolivian city.

Bolivia is a wonderful setting for practicing Spanish. You don't need any Spanish for the journalism placement, but if you would like to learn you can take additional courses to have a more meaningful experience. For more advanced speakers, both the journalism and radio broadcast placements give you a chance to make leaps and bounds in your level of comprehension.

In addition, this project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: none

Cost in US$: From US$2,395

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Bolivia Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
• Alumni Network

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