Q: What is the cost of hosting a journalist at my news organization or in my home?
A: There is no cost associated with hosting a journalist in your newsroom. ICFJ gives visiting journalists money to cover their food, travel, etc. If a staff member chooses to offer a homestay, ICFJ can provide the host a small weekly stipend to cover any expenses, such as utilities, the guest might accrue.

Q: How long will I need to host the journalist?
A: The length of the programs varies, but is usually two to four weeks.

Q: Does it matter if my news organization is not as well known?
A: ICFJ welcomes host news organizations of all sizes, and visiting journalists may learn more at smaller outlets than at more globally known ones.

Q: What am I supposed to teach?
A: The greatest benefit to the visiting journalists is exposure to the standards and techniques of a U.S. newsroom. ICFJ will provide host organizations with a biography of the journalist and a survey of his/her interests. The host organization should set up meetings with appropriate people at the news organization based on those interests. The visiting journalist’s time may be spent shadowing reporters in the field; seeing how the newspaper, broadcast or website is put together on deadline; going out on sales calls with advertising staff; or doing his or her own reporting.

Q: As a host news organization, what should I expect?
A: Before we send you a foreign journalist, he or she will have participated in an ICFJ orientation on the U.S. media system, general ethical principles and, depending on the program, perhaps an intensive course in investigative journalism or multimedia reporting. The journalists are usually very eager to learn from their U.S. colleagues and share their own experiences and skills.

Q: As a homestay host, what should I expect?
A: We hope that homestay hosts will include the visitor for meals and social outings as often as possible; however, they should not feel obligated always to include their guest. The journalists will have a per diem to cover their meals and have been encouraged to socialize with other contacts in addition to their hosts.