Groups range from 12 to 20 diverse participants, and represent a range of experience levels, market sizes and geographic locations. Participants are responsible for passport and visa fees as needed, telephone, laundry, airport parking and transfers from home to airport in the U.S., meal expenses in excess of the provided per diem, and any other personal expenses. Many participants stay longer in Germany or travel to other countries in Europe at their own expense after the program. Although spouses and families are not permitted on the program, they can join participants after the program is over for personal travel. If you are chosen for the program, further logistical details on this option will be provided to you.
Most participants work in local news.
This program exists to introduce journalists to Germany first-hand, particularly if they do not have the opportunity in their own work to cover Germany and Europe. Many past participants have subsequently discovered connections from their communities to Germany that they never knew existed. Most local reporters are not doing stories on the European Central Bank, for example. But look for stories you have done about people or businesses in your community with ties to another country. While we are interested in any work you've done relevant to Germany and Europe, we accept stories with links to any foreign country.