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 and work in conflict zones, 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.