Do I have to be a British National to apply?

No, we accept any nationality, however if you are not British you will have to check the Visa requirements for your country of origin. In particular, US citizens need a Tourist Visa to enter Bolivia.

What if I am not a native English speaker?

You do not have to be a native speaker to apply, however your English must be of a fluent level. If you are not a native speaker we will expect some proof of your standard of English, such as an examination result, or evidence of study or residence in an English Speaking country. We will also assess your English level in our phone conversation.

What is the Salary?

The packages we offer are voluntary work experience opportunities, it is not salaried employment. We organize your arrival, accommodation, classes and provide you with our infrastructure, whilst you have the possibility gain work experience in the exciting environment of La Paz. We also put you in touch with Bolivian students and other important contacts who may be able to help with your article, or who are just interested in cultural exchange, getting to know you and hanging out. As a publication, and with your press pass in hand you will be entitled to certain discounts, and gain access to special places. Sometimes you will be writing gonzo style articles, and if you tell businesses you are writing about them you may be able to negotiate some form of exchange or discount. Any discounts or trade offs on price you negotiate will be yours to keep.

When is the deadline?

There is no official deadline, applications are ongoing. However, we are limited to seven places per month, so the earlier you apply the better chance of getting a place in your preferred time period. We sometimes receive applications for up to a year in advance, but in general you should be fine if  you apply about four-six months before you expect to take up your position. Nevertheless, if you happen to be struck by a whim to come right now, there's never any harm in applying in case we still have spaces.

What costs should I factor in for my whole trip?

You will need to pay:

• Your flights
• Programme cost (£800 for the first month and £400 for each month afterwards)
• Personal medical/travel insurance (if your existing one does not cover you abroad)
• Cost of living in Bolivia: food, transport around town, going out, any trips you want to make
• Cost of a visa, if you need one. This can be found at this page: Bolivian visas.

What is the cost of Living in Bolivia?

As a general guideline, Bolivia is a cheap place to live - many locals live comfortably on less than £250 a month including accommodation. However, as a tourist you are likely to want to travel and go out on nice treats (!) so put aside at least £250 for expenses other than accommodation. Meals cost anything from less than a pound, to eight pounds for three courses of a fancy Japanese meal. Transport is inexpensive but you might be taking a few taxis, which cost anything from £0.60 to £2.50 within the city. The cost of Minibuses, the most common form of transport, varies but should never rise about £0.30 for a trip in the centre.

What is the cost of taking part in the programme?

The cost of taking part varies according to how long you stay. The longer you are with us, the cheaper it gets per month. Check out the application form to see how much it will cost you.

What does the programme cost cover?

• Pre-trip guidance.
• Air-port pick-up and local orientation.
• Accommodation in our downtown city centre penthouse. It boasts panoramic views of the city, WIFI and satellite television.
• 6 hours of Spanish class a week.
• Photography and journalism tutorials.
• Bolivian mobile phone and a press pass for the duration of your stay.

The programme cost covers all of the above, plus the administration of your stay in Bolivia: our staff will be helping you to settle in, providing you with contacts, holding newsroom meetings, coordinating the publication, design and printing of the magazine and organising a few socials. If you stay on for a few months and want to get involved in this process they will be more than happy to include you and show you how the running of the magazine works. The longer you stay, the more you will be able to be involved. In case of trouble they are only ever a phone call away. You are also automatically registered at a local private health clinic. Finally, a small part is your contribution to the printing costs of the magazine: as it is distributed for free we rely on the contributions of people coming over to keep it alive.

How much should flights cost me?

You should always be able to get a flight out from the UK for about £1000. Depending on when you fly, or how far advance you book you can also get deals for as little as £750. If you see websites that try to sell it to you for more, do not be put off, a little hunting around and internet trawling should get you a price in the right bracket. www.ebookers.com is an excellent website for good deals, also try Skyscanner to compare offers. STA Travel and Journey Latin America often also have special offers on.

Are there any accommodation arrangements?

You are automatically housed in the Bolivian Express residence for the full duration of your stay.