A Journey of Shared Discovery for Russian and American Journalists – Round Two

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) invited young journalists from Russia to take part in the “Journey of Shared Discovery for Russian and American Journalists – Round Two” exchange program. Thirteen journalists, who were selected in competition, came to the United States for a program from June 6 to June 27, 2017.

The program was supported with a grant to ICFJ from the U.S. Embassy Moscow, Public Affairs Section (PAS). During 2016, ICFJ brought fourteen Russian journalists to the United States to take part in Round One of this program with support from a PAS grant.

The new program built on the successes of earlier exchange programs whose goals were to allow Russian and American journalists to build professional relationships and friendships with one another and mutual understanding while dispelling negative stereotypes between their countries. The journalists accomplished these goals while learning firsthand about the media system of each country, including the ways that digital media are changing the ways that journalists work today.

The program began with a pre-departure orientation in Moscow, an orientation and schedule of meetings in Washington, and individual assignments of two weeks for each journalist in an American newsroom.

The selected journalists were expected to publish stories, blog posts and use social media during the program.

Because the program included individual two-week assignments at U.S. media organizations, the Russian journalists had to speak English.

Selection were based on professional qualifications, relevant experience and commitment to the program goals, and to enhancing mutual understanding between the people of each country. For more information, please contact ICFJ’s Bob Tinsley at btinsley@icfj.org. 

The deadline to apply was Monday, January 23, 2017 (U.S. Eastern Time).

Program Schedule

• Pre-departure orientation online before departing Russia

• Arrival in the United States: Tuesday, June 6
• Orientation in Washington: June 7 - 10
• Depart for Internships at U.S. media organizations: June 10
• Program wrap-up and debriefing in New York: June 24-26
• Return to Russia: Tuesday, June 27