Volunteering on a Journalism Internship Placement overseas in Ethiopia

Volunteering abroad on a journalism placement with Projects Abroad offers an excellent way to gain journalism work experience, combined with the chance to work within a fascinating new culture and to experience life first hand as a volunteer in Ethiopia.

For volunteers who are on a gap-year looking to get into a related university course, or those looking for employment in a particular sector following graduation or on a career-break, our voluntary journalism internships in Ethiopia will give access to invaluable work experience and increase your prospects within a highly competitive job market.

Your CV will be greatly enhanced by the practical skills that you gain during your journalism work placement as well as proving your adaptability and resourcefulness by working in a strikingly different environment such as Ethiopia.

Print Journalism Placements in Ethiopia with Projects Abroad

Our journalism projects in Ethiopia offer volunteers the chance to work on one of a variety of English Language publications. You could find yourself writing for a daily newspaper, a weekly lifestyle magazine, or a trade newsletter. Our volunteers have previously worked at such wide ranging publications as the Addis Fortune, the largest English weekly in Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Reporter newspaper, the African Best Business Index, or the popular Ethiopian lifestyle publication, My Fashion magazine.

All journalism volunteers in Ethiopia taking part in one of our overseas voluntary work placements must have good computer skills, a strong interest in Journalism and Media and be willing to work hard. While no formal qualifications are required to join this project, some placements prefer volunteers to have some previous journalistic experience, so give us as much detail as possible about any relevant experience or skills.

Volunteers working in Ethiopia on one of our journalism placements are usually assigned to the lifestyle and entertainment sections of the newspaper or magazine, and will have the opportunity to write and publish at least one article per week in whichever publication they are working on.

These articles may be restaurant reviews, gossip columns, events coverage, international news, a foreigner's view of Ethiopia, or general lifestyle pieces about a topic assigned to you by the editor, or of your own choice.

You may be taught how to go out and find stories on the streets of Addis, giving you the confidence and skills to do the same at home after your return.

Volunteers will also play a key role in proof-reading and editing copy from other writers before it is printed. If you have an interest in sales and marketing, there may also be opportunities to work within the advertising department of the paper; helping to design or write adverts and selling advertising space to external companies wishing to gain some exposure. If you wish, you'll also have the opportunity to spend some time learning to use layout and design software.

For your colleagues, working alongside an English language speaker will be highly valued, as it will enable them to advance their own language skills, not to mention satisfy their general fascination with other cultures. Work colleagues will have good levels of English but will always be keen to learn more!

Your Role as a Journalism Volunteer in Ethiopia

During the placement, volunteers are expected to be punctual and professional and are required to work an average of 40 hours per week - usually Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, with an hour lunch break.

For most magazines and papers, all copy must be submitted by Thursday or Friday afternoon, when the final exciting dash to complete the weeks’ edition begins. During this time, volunteers will be expected to work alongside their co-workers, sometimes into the night in order to finalise all content, layout, and printing, giving you valuable insight into of all aspects of this fast-paced and complex task.

Whatever your level of experience, your input will be greatly encouraged and appreciated. Take the opportunity to make your own recommendations, or explain practices back home. Your adaptability and willingness to learn will be appreciated by your colleagues, and you will really begin to feel like a part of the team.