Are you interested in the work of a correspondent in a foreign country? Would you like to spend the month of August in Finland learning more about the country, its society and the Finnish way of life?

If you are a newly graduated journalist or a student of journalism/communications due to graduate soon, you may be eligible to apply for a scholarship to take part in the Foreign Correspondents’ Programme (FCP) in Finland in August 2011.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland now welcomes applications from citizens or residents of the following countries: Armenia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, India, Japan, Germany, Poland, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The programme provides an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about Finland, Finnish society and the Finnish way of life. It also offers you the means to enhance your professional skills, as well as expand your network of professional colleagues and international friends.

Programme

The programme starts on August 1st and ends on August 26th, 2011. It includes briefings on Finland today; meetings with professionals, politicians and people; and visits to business enterprises, cultural sites and institutions. It includes a weekend as a guest of a Finnish family, as well as trips to different parts of Finland.
During the programme you will have an opportunity to cover additional aspects of Finland in which you have a particular interest. You will also have access to working facilities with PCs, internet, telephone, printers and copiers at the International Press Centre.

What does it cover?

The scholarship covers the costs of travel to and from Finland, local travel in Helsinki, accommodation in a single room in a student residence and the daily programme including meals, events, transportation and lodging. The programme does not cover medical insurance or per diem allowance.

Requirements

Applicants should possess a good command of written and spoken English, be from 20 to 25 years of age and have the ability to adapt to a multinational group of people.

The application documents should be sent by email only to the Embassy of Finland to the following address [email protected]. Please write “Foreign Correspondent Programme” to the subject field.

The application documents should include:

1. FCP Application Form
2. FCP Curriculum vitae
3. An essay which emphasises the applicant's particular interest in Finland (600-800 words).

Note! Be sure to include a photograph in the CV.

Please include in your application copies of published articles, transcripts and other documents that may be helpful in the selection process.

The closing date for applications is March 31st, 2011. Results are expected in May.

Contact information

Ms Outi Isotalo, Embassy of Finland to Ukraine, [email protected]
More information about the programme
Olena Gnes participated in the programme 2010
Maria Korenyuk participated in the programme 2009

Джерело