Europe Course 2024
If God is in control of history’s events, how should a Christian report on politics, wars, natural disasters, the economy, technology, the arts, marriage, and gender?
WJI exists to equip and encourage journalists who are Christians to report with Biblical objectivity. Learn how to integrate your Christian faith and the profession of journalism.
Course costs are fully scholarship funded to those accepted, and lodging and most meals are provided. Attendees are responsible for their own transportation to and from the locale. During the week students will:
-Learn how the Bible informs global reporting
-Develop and hone your skills alongside experienced journalists from WORLD News Group
-Encounter a community of Christians seeking to use media for God’s glory
-Report for multiple platforms including magazine, digital, and broadcast
All instruction and assignments will be in English. Applicants must have a valid and unexpired passport if they are traveling from outside the EU.
The dates, venue, and application deadline for WJI Europe 2024 have not yet been determined.
Please email office@worldji.com if you would like to be notified when the application opens and more details are available.
Required Items
- Gmail account (we will be doing group editing and document sharing through Google Docs, so every student should have a basic understanding of Google Docs)
- Smartphone for taking photos and recording
Instructors: *may include but are not limited to the following journalists
Lee Pitts
As Washington Bureau Chief for WORLD magazine for more than five years, Lee's assignments sent him from Capitol Hill to the White House to the Supreme Court. But his reporting also has taken him beyond the Capital Beltway. Leading up to the 2010 elections, Lee embarked on a 10-day, 4,225 mile cross-country trip through competitive congressional districts in 16 states. In 2004-2005, as a reporter for the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Lee embedded with a National Guard Regimental Combat unit in Iraq for nearly 7 months, going on humanitarian and combat missions. Before joining WORLD, Lee served as press secretary for U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander. Now in his fifteenth year in the media world, Lee earned a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and currently leads the journalism program at Dordt University.
Jenny Lind Schmitt
Jenny is WORLD's global desk chief and European reporter. She is a World Journalism Institute and Smith College graduate. She is the author of the novel Mountains of Manhattan and resides in Porrentruy, Switzerland, with her family.
Onize Ohikere
Onize is WORLD’s Africa reporter and deputy global desk chief. She is a World Journalism Institute graduate and earned a journalism degree from Minnesota State University–Moorhead. Onize resides in Abuja, Nigeria.
Program Price
Tuition and housing are scholarship-funded. Most meals are provided.
Alumni Quotes about WJI Europe
Honestly, you will have to leave your comfort zone. The training is pretty intense [and] very practical. We were able to implement what we learned, and the journalists gave us helpful feedback. But I'm very thankful I had the opportunity to attend - and even to work on some smaller pieces for World now.
This training shows that journalism is a very interesting job. Meeting and communicating with new people, discovering [new] facts, and analyzing information in the light of Biblical truths all [gave me] an incentive for personal and spiritual growth. All the information is extremely useful and is presented by real masters of journalism. The training [included] all the most important information in order to teach [us] how to write articles. In addition, the information [I learned at WJI opened] up new opportunities in this profession.
In my current job as a freelance writer, I have learned that it is important to look for details that are relevant to the story. Before WJI, I became so lost in the minor parts of that situation or character. Thanks to you, I am able to find those pieces that put together a great story! I have also learned that it is OK to not get everything right the first time. Before, I became so bogged down by my own perfection. I learned later that writing is a continual process of refining and reshaping. It was a relief to hear that some of our instructors overcame the same struggles before becoming great storytellers. I would definitely recommend WJI to Christian writers who want to tell great stories. You will have the opportunity to flex your media muscles and make some lifelong friends along the way. Your mind will be put to the test, but you will come out confident that you can write compelling stories.
I was very encouraged to write about current issues in my country using a Biblical worldview. Focusing on the news can be confusing and disorienting. As a Christian journalist, I was encouraged to be more intentional about studying the Bible and theology. [I want] to write [news that helps] readers remain faithful and grow in the knowledge of God.
After WJI, I understood how to find interesting topics. I also learned how to succinctly and concretely state what you want to express. The training motivated me to write more, and I enjoyed it. Regarding the material that was provided at the training, it's a really valuable treasure. I think whoever processes and applies all this material after WJI may engage in journalistic activity and be successful. In any case, this is a great launching pad for someone who wants to write journalistically.