Today I’d like to talk about how to become a (1) . Usually you have to start at the beginning. That is, you have to begin (2) of

Today I’d like to talk about how to become a foreign correspondent. Usually you have to start at the beginning. That is, you have to begin as a journalist of some sort on a local newspaper, a local radio station, maybe on a small magazine -- and work your way up. Now there aren’t that many organizations which have large numbers of foreign correspondents so you also have to sort of work with that aim in mind. Another way of doing it is to work abroad, and work as a freelance. That’s somebody who sells stories, and gets paid by the piece, to newspapers and magazines and so on. And hoping to build up a reputation that way, and eventually to be offered a full-time job.
    I don’t really know what qualifications are needed, but obviously a degree in modem languages or political science or economics would be very useful. But, a degree in itself probably wouldn’t be the key. It wouldn’t be enough to get you the job. It wouldn’t be enough to make an editor decide to send you abroad. So it’s difficult to define the precise qualifies. You’re going to need stamina and the ability to assimilate information quickly and accurately and then produce stories which fit the style of the newspaper or radio or television station you work for.