International Journalism Scholarship Programs

People gathered on the street in Sierra Leone.
Cooper Inveen (right), past scholarship recipient, covering a protest in Sierra Leone in 2014. Photo courtesy: Inveen

Summer 2022

Please note that the department’s Summer 2022 abroad programs have been suspended due to resurgent pandemic conditions. Please watch Communication Department email for additional information or email your questions directly to faculty member John Tomasic (tomasic@uw.edu).

Submit your applications for the Summer 2023 program before midnight on Wednesday, November 30, 2022.

International Journalism Scholarship Programs

The Department of Communication offers journalism internship opportunities for students at English-language newspapers in several countries through two scholarship programs. This is an exceptional opportunity for students to gain dynamic journalism experience and to learn about other cultures:

Foreign Intrigue scholarships have been made available through the generosity of a journalism alumna for students to travel to and work for outlets including: “Citizen Matters” in Bangalore, India; “The Jordan Times” in Amman, Jordan; “Awoko” in Freetown, Sierra Leone; “Coconuts Bangkok” in Bangkok, Thailand; and “The Jakarta Globe” in Jakarta, Indonesia. The program is seeking to expand into Okinawa, Japan, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Journalism North American Scholarships have been made available through the generosity of another journalism alumnus for students to travel to and work for: CIMAC Noticias – Mexico City. Please note that students selected for this opportunity must speak and write Spanish well.

Submit your application for the international reporting program of your choice to the Communication Commons (CMU 118E). It should include:

  1. Online application form available here:https://forms.gle/fFUm8rFb8npWYkdi6
  2. Resume – with three references (at least one from a Communication faculty member)
  3. Three examples of your published work (preferably journalistic work)
  4. Unofficial transcript

APPLICATIONS DUE IN MID-JANUARY
Check back for specific dates.

Questions? Contact John Tomasic (tomasic@uw.edu)

The Department will make the internship assignments. Selected students must attend orientation sessions in the late winter quarter, and participate in prep sessions during spring quarter. Students will also be expected to contact their host news organization and learn more about the host country once they’ve been selected.

Costs paid by the Department of Communication:

  • Airfare: The Department will provide up to $1400 for roundtrip airfare
  • Housing: The Department will contribute $500 for housing
  • UW credits: Through the UW Office of International Programs and Exchanges, the Department will pay for concurrent credits ($350). There is no additional tuition for the summer quarter
  • Foreign Intrigue Scholarship and Journalism North American Scholarship participants earn 12 academic credits (4 COM 460, 5 COM 498, 3 COM 499 or 12 GENST 350)
  • Graduating seniors, please note: you must delay graduation until after the Foreign Intrigue internship and Journalism North American internship is completed. You may walk at graduation in the spring

Your costs:

  • Housing, food: Depending on location, you may need to spend $500 to $2,000
  • Additional travel beyond roundtrip to the internship site
  • Health insurance. The University of Washington requires that you purchase health insurance. The cost is approximately $2/day

Application Timeline
(Check back in Fall 2022 for specific dates)

  • Info Session: January
  • Application Deadline: Mid-January
  • Application Review: Mid- to late January
  • Interviews for selected applicants: Late January to early February
  • Final selections: Mid-February
  • Orientation sessions for selected applicants: Late winter and early spring quarters

For selected applicants:

  • Final interview/initial contact with host organization: February
  • Register with International Programs & Exchanges Office: March
  • Make travel arrangements with host organization: May
  • Meet with Foreign Intrigue program funder: Late spring quarter (same day as scholarship awards ceremony – Foreign Intrigue Recipients only)
  • Internship: Somewhat flexible; 10-12 weeks between June and September
    • During the internship, all international interns are required to submit weekly updates to program administrators and other faculty
    • Upon completion, each intern must write up a self-reflective blog post about the experience
    • Interns are expected to participate in application and orientation sessions for incoming applicants during the year following their internship posting