Offer: Are you a U.S. university student with a yearning to see the best and worst of the world?
by JaniceW | December 14, 2009 at 1:59 PM | Mentorship and Training
Are you (reasonably) unruffled if you’re dive-bombed by insects the size of small planes while bouncing over ruts toward an interview with a warlord?
Then it’s time to apply for the Nicholas Kristof's 2010 “win-a-trip” contest. For the fourth time, he’ll take a student on a reporting trip to Africa to cover issues of global poverty — and their solutions.
It won’t be comfortable or glamorous. Maybe you’ll interview a president, but far more time will be spent squatting in thatch-roof huts, listening to villagers. This contest reflects Kristof's conviction that the best way to open minds and hearts to the world’s challenges is to see them, hear them, smell them.
Information about how to enter the contest is on Kristof's blog (nytimes.com/ontheground).
If you win, you won’t be practicing tourism, but journalism. You’ll blog and file videos for nytimes.com, and you’ll bring a powerful reporting credential that Kristof can’t: fresh eyes.
Good luck!!
[excerpt from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/opinion/13kristof.html?_r=1]
Comments
Amazing Opportunity
Janice,
This is such an amazing opportunity! I almost cried, wishing I had found something like this when I was still a student. I tweeted it to pass it on.
BTW, have you read Kristof's post on Valentino Achak Deng, the Lost Boy of the Sudan who has built a high school in his village? I took a special interest in that one because I'd just finished reading "What is the What," Valentino's story as written by Dave Eggers. It's a deeply engrossing and beautifully written book, if painful to read. I think Deng is incredible.
Thanks for posting the good info,
Cara
What is the What
Cara,
Yes, I saw Kristof's post on Deng and was so inspired by it. I had read his story but admit to finding some parts rather difficult to read. It took quite a while to get through it as I tend to read just before I fall asleep and this was not always the best for lulling myself into peaceful slumber! Am so glad you are tweeting this post on as it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Can you imagine?!
Janice
Ditto
Janice,
That book took me a long time to read, too, for the same reasons.
And, oh yes, I can imagine! But other adventures await...
Ciao,
Cara