Apply Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships | Become A Fellow

Alfred Friendly Press Fellow Benefits:

Alfred Friendly Fellows learn to:

• Improve skills in gathering information, interviewing and writing.
• Add social perspective to business and political reporting.
• Write more balanced news articles, more polished feature stories and more in-depth analytical pieces.
• Improve written and spoken English.
• Become more vigorous and confident journalists.
• Gain insight into American culture, business and politics.

Participation process of Alfred Friendly Press Fellow.

Alfred Friendly Press Fellow Responsibilities:

• The fellowship is a full-time training experience, and fellows are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner. 
• Fellows work between 35 and 50 hours per week for their U.S. host news organizations.
• Outside the newsroom, fellows are expected to give at least two talks in the community – at local schools, press clubs, community groups, etc. 
• Press Partners also requires fellows to maintain a fellowship blog, detailing both their personal and professional experiences.

Alfred Friendly Press Fellow Eligibility Requirements:

• Journalists who are citizens of Muslim-majority countries;
• Current full-time employment as a journalist for the news or editorial departments of independent newspapers, magazines, wire services, or online publications of general public interest;
• At least three years of full-time professional experience as a journalist;
• Early to mid-career status and between 25 and 35 years old;
• A demonstrated personal commitment to a career in journalism;
• Ability and desire to share what is learned on the fellowship with other journalists at home;
• Endorsement from the management of the home news organization;
• An excellent command of both written and spoken English as all activities are conducted in English.

Schedule:

• In late March, fellows arrive in Columbia Missouri, for an orientation seminar to prepare them for the challenges of living and working in the United States.
• A major component of the seminar is a refresher course in American journalism. After writing, reporting, and learning about style, ethics, libel and the culture of American newsrooms, fellows leave Missouri better prepared for their fellowship assignments.
• A cross-cultural adaptation specialist who has worked with Alfred Friendly Fellows since 1984, discusses what fellows typically experience during their time in the United States and suggests strategies to handle the various levels of culture shock most fellows experience.
• The remainder of the seminar is spent on professional, cultural and social activities in the United States. Following the orientation seminar, fellows travel to their host cities to begin their five-month assignments.
• In July, fellows and Press Partners staff spend a week at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. They attend a three-day computer-assisted reporting course and an intensive three-day digital workshop. Fellows also spend a day working with our cultural adaptation specialist.
• A final seminar reunites fellows in Columbia Missouri, at the end of August for debriefing, a cross-cultural re-adaptation seminar, a Training-the-Trainers session and their graduation ceremony.