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GYC3183 - Media and journalism work experience projects Country: Mexico Cost: £1095.00 Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation, food and pickup from airport but does not include flight, insurance, kit or visas     Duration: 1 months Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7627 or

 

	This placement would suit... those hoping to break into media and put some work experience in their CV or portfolio that really makes them stand out! Our journalism placements in Mexico are based at various English Language magazines, TV and radio stations, and websites serving the English speaking population of Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding areas. Puerto Vallarta has a sizeable population of English speaking expatriates, mainly from the USA, as well as a large seasonal population of tourists. A large amount of media is dedicated to serving this population. Therefore, the topics covered are wide ranging. The focus of the media varies, mainly focussing on local activities and issues. However, the media also covers culture & history, economics, health & science, sports, as well as national and international current affairs. Therefore your experience here will be diverse and wide-ranging, with lots of hands-on work. Your work will also be very varied and could include accompanying and assisting reporters as they investigate stories, preparing and conducting interviews or getting popular public opinion on current topics of interest. Other areas of work will include proof-reading and editing articles, possibly contributing to layout ideas, and just generally helping whenever and wherever your assistance is required. Knowledge of computers and working in Word, Excel, etc., are an advantage as is any previous experience at home. Requirements: This is a serious work experience programme and applicants must be able to demonstrate a very real interest in following a career in media. The publication will expect you to contribute ideas and make suggestions rather than sit around and just make the tea. Although you will be working on English language publications, a basic understanding of Spanish is essential as the people you will be working with and possibly interviewing may not speak English. Accommodation During your time with us in Mexico, you will be staying in hostel type accommodation in Puerto Vallarta. This will be in a house that we have rented from the local people. All the volunteers stay together in the same accommodation which means that you are never far away from someone to socialise with in the evenings or travel with at weekends. Usually, four people will share a room. The standard of the accommodation will good but not quite what you are used to at home so please don’t expect all mod cons, but it will be clean and tidy. The house has hot and cold running water and electricity, but this occasionally fails. There will be someone there to look after the house and they will cook your meals, which means that if you can't quite get used to Mexican food then they can cook something similar to what you are used to at home. Puerto Vallarta is centrally located for all our projects in Mexico. Travelling around this fairly small city is easy whether you are teaching or on a medical project, you placement will be easy to reach by bus or even by walking. Very occasionally, we place volunteers with local families. This is usually during off-peak times when only a handful of volunteers are with us in Mexico. If this is the case we will send you full details of your family accommodation before your departure. Our staff will be on hand during office hours if you have any general queries and only a phone call away outside office hours if there’s something much more urgent. Weekends Part of the cost of the programme in Mexico includes a basic Spanish course and cultural induction. These usually take place on evenings and are completely optional. If you already have reasonable Spanish you may elect to opt out of the lessons. Your weekends are free and volunteers usually get together to travel during this time. Puerto Vallarta has great transport links with the rest of the country and travel by bus is cheap and comfortable. This may be along the coast to visit the turtle project, in to the jungle, climbing dormant volcanoes, visiting Guadalajara (Mexico’s most Mexican city), or travelling to visit temples. Alternatively, you will never be far away from some golden beaches so if you just want to chill out and relax you’re in the right place. Puerto Vallarta is located in the stunning Banderas Bay. Hundreds of tourists flock to the region each year for its golden beaches and lush green tropical forests. This means that there’s plenty to do in the region itself. Alternatively, there are lots of hidden beaches so if you just want to get away from it and chill, a relaxing beach is never too far away. Puerto Vallarta is also home to some stunning restaurants and bars. The nightlife in PV is second to none, especially during the spring break season when the area is inundated with American college students. Feel free to enjoy (at the weekends only please!) but watch your budget as many of these places charge tourist prices. You will find a number of excellent authentic ‘local’ restaurants and bars that don’t stretch the budget quite so much, but they tend to be a little bit off the beaten track. 0845 344 7627 Joining Global Volunteer Projects is as much about learning as it is about giving. Our programmes are designed to incorporate learning the local language and something about the local culture. All our programmes include, where applicable, basic language courses as well as 'culture' courses. This may be drumming in Ghana, yoga in India or learning Swahili in Tanzania. We also offer a wide range of projects, teaching, conservation and orphanage work for those keen to get involved as well as medicine and journalism placements for those looking to gain that all important work experience.