High School

In addition to English and creative writing, you should study languages, social studies, political science, history, and geography. Initial experience may be gained by working on your school newspaper or yearbook, or taking advantage of study-abroad programs.

Postsecondary Training

In college, pursuing a journalism major is helpful but may not be crucial to obtaining a job as a foreign correspondent. Classes, or even a major, in history, political science, or literature could be beneficial. Economics and foreign languages also help.

There are more than 1,500 colleges in the United States that offer degrees in journalism. Most of the good journalism graduate schools offer real-life reporting situations—for example, sometimes graduate schools operate radio/television stations, Web sites, or newspapers, which are staffed and managed by students. Visit the Web site of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (https://www.acejmc.org/accreditation-reviews/accredited-programs) for a list of accredited postsecondary training programs in journalism and mass communications.

Other Education or Training

A variety of webinars, conference seminars, and other continuing education (CE) opportunities are offered by professional associations such as the Society of Professional Journalists. Topics include editing, writing, interviewing, social media, and technology. The American Society of Journalists and Authors, News Media Alliance, and the National Association of Broadcasters also provide CE classes, seminars, and workshops. Contact these organizations for more information.

Certification or Licensing

There are no certification or licensing requirements for foreign correspondents.

Aspiring foreign correspondents typically obtain at least two to three years experience as general reporters before entering the field. Others may decide to work as stringers in a foreign country until they obtain enough experience to be hired as full-time foreign correspondents.

To be a foreign correspondent, in addition to a definite love of adventure, you need curiosity about how other people live, diplomacy when interviewing people, courage to sometimes confront people on uncomfortable topics, the ability to communicate well, and the discipline to sometimes act as your own boss. You also need to be strong enough to hold up under pressure yet flexible enough to adapt to other cultures.