JOURNALISM WORK EXPERIENCE INTERNSHIP ON A NEWSPAPER IN ACCRA

WORK CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION

Work on a privately-run newspaper which started 2002. The paper has around 15 members of staff and is sold throughout the country. It is published three times a week and is read by a wide range of people from many different social backgrounds. The circulation figures are between 5000 and 7,500. The paper covers a wide range of topics, including sports, politics, business, finance and entertainment, plus it also has an Editorial section.

The newspaper has four Departments: Editorial, Marketing, Advertising and Production. the Editorial department, is where the reporting, gathering of information and news editing takes place, and the Marketing section, which handles sales, distribution, advertising, and more. You will be given the chance to visit these departments during your placement.

After detailed discussion with you to ascertain what you're looking for, we try to tailor your Work Experience internship to suit your specific requirements, to ensure you gain the maximum benefit and experience from the placement.

WORK CONTENT :
The work that you will be involved in will depend on your experience and abilities, but you will be able to get involved in the basics of Journalism. It is more than likely that you will be able to get involved in assisting the Journalists with getting stories, gathering your own information, taking photos, writing reports, editing and more. If there is something that you are particularly interested in, please let us know and we shall see if we can arrange it for you.

On a typical day you will be gathering information for the stories, processing/editing it and getting it ready for final print. On a typical production day you will normally start work about 8.30am and finish between 5.00pm to 7.00pm, but there are no strict hours.

ACCOMMODATION

Your accommodation will vary depending on your work location, but will either be in a family-run hostel or with a host family. This means that you get to eat, sleep, work, socialise and generally live like a Ghanaian. This enables you to fully experience the local culture from the inside.

Many of our volunteers remain friends with their host families long after they leave Ghana and in some cases they return to the country later especially to visit their family. Sometimes members of their Ghanaian family have even gone to visit them in their home country.

The family for the past 6 weeks, the Opuku family, have been very warming to us staying there. They've cooked up some fabulous meals and have been very helpful to us when we have needed some help finding our way around. The children at the house are fantastic! They're very keen to explore your room, and sweets seems to be very high on the list. Jonathan Childs

FOOD:
Food will be local cuisine - again this is to enable you to fully experience living as local Ghanaians do. When we arrange your placement, we will liaise extensively with you regarding both the placement and your accommodation. As always, our Local Manager will look after you well and will always be on hand to help and offer advice.

My family - Lizzie and Prince are lovely. The children are very sweet, and I feel extremely lucky to have been placed with them. The house is of a Western standard in most ways, and Lizzie's cooking is excellent. I feel a part of their family already.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Got any questions? Please email us: info@travellersworldwide.com

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU ... AND GHANAIAN TIME!
Like all our destination countries, the culture in Ghana is different to what you're used to. For example, the people are exceptionally friendly and helpful, with big smiles and a relaxed attitude. On the other hand, the living standard falls short of UK or Western standards. And Ghanaian time is when someone says, "See you at 10.a.m.," - what he really means is, "I'll see you sometime tomorrow" ... And then he may not turn up at all.

The pace of life is slower and more relaxed, but you'll quickly get involved in the daily life of the local people and pretty soon you'll feel completely at home - Ghana has that effect on you!

Self-reliance, independence and initiative are highly appreciated and a sense of humour when the electricity fails, or buses don't turn up, will help you to make the most of this wonderful opportunity!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR PLACEMENT?

Once you have applied for a placement, we'll contact you and send you our Welcome Pack. You'll also receive Log-on details and password for our Volunteer Extranet where you'll have access to all the documentation and information which we've put together to facilitate preparations for your adventure! Your Project Co-ordinator for your country will liaise with you throughout the arrangements process, as well as while you're on your placement and on your return home.

The documents you'll have access to also include a Country Factfile, Safety Guide and any manuals that may assist you on your particular programme (e.g. Teaching Guide, Sports Manuals, Enrichment Suggestions for Animal Care, etc.). We do all we can to make your stay one that you'll never forget. This is a truly awesome, elegant and beautiful country.

OPTIONAL ADD-ON ACTIVITIES:

Make the most of your time there! To help you do that, we've put together some exciting activities, courses and tours that you can add to your itinerary. These are designed to be fun, but also to enable you to learn, and expand your personal and professional development enjoyment ... but mostly for your enjoyment! :-)

LOCATION | SIGHTSEEING:

Ghana is a wonderfully welcoming country and the people are overwhelmingly hospitable and friendly. They love their music, dancing and socialising, and this, together with lots of glorious open African country and sunshine, contribute to making your travel adventure to Ghana very special.

ABOUT ACCRA:
Accra, on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, is both big-city hectic and African laid-back. There is something else this African city has that makes up for lack of planning and fancy buildings. It is a wonderful city to experience. It is full of character, has a warm feel, is extremely friendly and feels very safe. It also has some great beaches!

It is a city that is young, wild and full of soul and here you'll sample the true African spirit. During the day, the streets are full of market stalls and vendors where you can browse and buy mouthwatering foods, colourful Kente cloth, beads, or baskets. Don't forget to practice your haggling. During the night the city comes alive with the traditional Ghanaian ‘spot’ bars and the sound of live drumming music in the warm night air. Village-specific festivals and events occur throughout the year.

Accra itself is fascinating, very different from home. Very noisy, dusty and hot, but really colourful and vibrant. Particularly impressed by the palm trees, amazing variety of little stalls and shops and the women balancing huge bundles on their heads! We've felt very safe so far - very little hassle from people, most of whom have been really welcoming. Caroline Allen – Law Placement

TRAVEL:

Read about Travel arrangements and what happens when you arrive in your new country.

Coming soon!