German Study Programs for American Journalists
Spring 2007 RIAS fellows atop the Reichstag
Are you an American radio, television or online journalist working for a local station, regional cable channel or national network, interested in learning more about German media, politics and society? Are you intrigued by transatlantic relations, and how it impacts your life, and your reporting? If so you may qualify for one of our 14 day RIAS study programs in
Germany.
Each spring and fall we conduct programs that traverse
Germany, providing American broadcast journalists with an opportunity to be inside German studios, political power centers, and factories. Our program regularly visits cities such as:
Berlin, the renewed capital of
Germany; western German cities such as
Frankfurt,
Hamburg, and
Stuttgart; eastern cities such as
Leipzig,
Potsdam and
Dresden; as well as
Brussels, home of NATO and the European Union.
Videojournalist Betsy Korona adjusts her camera setting as Chuck Carney looks on.
Since 1993 more than 1000 broadcast journalists from the
United States and
Germany have participated in this unique transatlantic exchange. Through the program, our Fellows have built bridges of understanding, both professionally and personally, with colleagues from across the ocean. Our alumni have also gone on to positions as international correspondents, anchors, news directors, and editors, and have also been accepted to longer term fellowship programs in Germany and across the globe.
Each standard study program is two weeks in length and may be extended for up to 14 additional days to pursue an individual research project, file stories for your station, or serve a fellowship at a German radio or television station.All primary expenses (transportation and accommodations) are provided by the program, as are most meals. Expenses are also covered for fellows electing to participate in an extension period.
Once the formal program concludes, American RIAS program alumni continue to participate by hosting visiting German journalists at their stations and in their newsrooms, and also by attending our annual alumni gathering held each spring immediately preceding the RTDNA@NAB convention in
Las Vegas.
RIAS BLOGGERS
RIAS fellows regularly blog about their experience during the two-week fellowship.� These blogs provide a clear and direct view of the program, the travel, and the access it provides.� Click here to see recent blogs from fellows who visited Germany and Belgium during a RTDNF/RIAS fellowship.
Spring 2007 RIAS fellows visit Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Traditionally, there are two exchange programs each year. In 2009, there will be three. There will be standard two-week programs in June and again in September. There will also be a special one-week program intended specifically for radio, television and online news managers. That program will run during the first week of October, and the deadline for that program will be June 1, 2009.
Here are the program dates for 2009.
Program I:
June 13 - June 28, 2009 (core program)
June 29 - July 3, 2009 (extension period)
Application deadline has passed
Program II:
September 12 - September 27, 2009 (core program)
September 28 - October 2, 2009 (extension period)
Application deadline has passed.� Applicants will be contacted later in June.
Senior Editors:
October 4-11, 2009
Application deadline has passed.� Applicants will be contacted later in June
Program applications for 2010 programs will be accepted starting in the spring of 2010.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must be full-time working radio, television or online journalists. Knowledge of German is helpful, but not required. Full-time freelancers are eligible to apply.
Deadline for applications
The deadline has passed for the 2009 Program. We encourage you to check this site during the fall to learn more about the application process for 2010.� Applications may be sent by email or fax; however, the originals must also be mailed. Please mail all your application materials to:
Jon Ebinger
RTDNF/RIAS Application
529 14th Street, NW� Suite 425
Washington, DC 20045
If you are not chosen to participate in Program I, but wish to be considered for Program II, it is not necessary to send a second application unless your circumstances (e.g., job title or station at which you work) have changed.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions About the German Study Programs
If you have questions about application or any other element of the German/American exchange program, this is the place to look first.
See a Sample Schedule
While details change from year to year, click here for schedules from prior programs.
Read Testimonials
See what past participants have said about the program.
The German Information Center
Hosted by the German Embassy, this site leads users to facts and figures and statistics on a variety of topics from government to sports.
For further information on any of the programs or to discuss being a fellowship host, please contact:
Jon Ebinger
RTNDF
German/American Journalist Exchange
Program Director
202.467.5250
jon@rtndf.org
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Comment on your RIAS experience
RTNDF and RIAS invite past fellows to comment on their experience from the exchange program. Share comments, photos and blogs here!
By Melanie on Feb 13 2009
A Chance To Think
Journalists are often so busy with the day to day that it is difficult to take a moment to look at the bigger picture. Besides the very detailed information and perspectives one can acquire about trans-Atlantic relations and the conversations with the people you meet in Germany, this project offers one a chance to think about the larger issues.
There are some issues that we touched on in our trip many years ago that are even more important today: what can good journalism do to help us understand the economics of the West, look at the security/military challenges facing these two countries, and give perspective when looking at the conflict between religious view points?
This trip is highly recommended for those who want to have time and the resources to think about these critical concerns.
By Andrew Finlayson on Feb 20 2009
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