“This was one of the best experiences of my life. It gave me faith that I can be a reporter for a living.”
– Jordan Fabian, Cornell University

"Surely, the man who has seen Prague might tell us something new
and something strange, and not sit silent for want of matter to put his
lips in motion."
– Samuel Johnson

 

High Level Briefings

Each June, the CN invites 12 of its top student journalists to the Geo-Strategic Journalism Course, in Washington, D.C., and Prague, Czech Republic. By providing high-level access to leading correspondents, policymakers, and government officials in the U.S. and Europe, the course achieves two goals: It offers invaluable foreign reporting experience, and it instills in students an appreciation for America’s national security challenges. Students interact with dissidents from the Communist era, the U.S. ambassador, ex-pat journalists, Czech foreign ministry officials, and more.

National Security Seminar

Students participate in a day-long National Security Seminar in Washington, D.C. with policy professionals, foreign correspondents, Congressional aides, and U.S. government officials.

Prague Security Studies Institute

During phase two, the Collegiate Network partners with the Prague Security Studies Institute, an organization that focuses on the education and development of new generations of security-minded university students and policy practitioners in the Czech Republic. While in Prague, students are offered time to rove the city, reporting and seeking stories.

Writing Requirement / Publication Opportunities

The final phase requires course participants to compose at least three articles on aspects of the course they found interesting and relevant to the Czech Republic. Course participants spend nearly two weeks reporting overseas, and the CN ensures that all aspects of the course are conducive to inspiring story ideas. The trip includes several day trips outside of Prague so that students may better understand the Czech people and polity. The CN staff assists students in getting their work published in prominent national venues.

Alumni of the GSJC 

  • Katherine Mangu-Ward, Reason magazine
  • Sonny Bunch, Washington Times 
  • Jana Lamplota, State Department (Foreign Service)
  • Kristin Deasy, USA Today 
  • Alston Ramsey, National Review 
  • Whitney Blake, Washington Examiner 
  • Michael O’Brien, The Hill 
  • Laura Vanderkam, USA Today and Reader’s Digest

Application

There is no application for the GSJC; attendees are selected by the CN. To be eligible, students must work for a CN member publication.