Do you want to inspire others while you’re abroad?

It may sound cheesy, but it’s the truth: each year, many IES Abroad students say that a Correspondent post helped them confirm their study abroad decision and know what to expect abroad. Sharing your stories as a Correspondent can make a huge impact. 

And what’s more, we value authenticity. That’s why we never edit what our Correspondents cover. Our role is to simply provide a platform to share your story with the world. What you see from our Correspondents is 100% their voice and their experience. And, because we value the work it takes to share these stories, we provide compensation to Correspondents when they complete the program requirements (yep, that means you get paid). 

Why do it?

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Document & Reflect

Share your experience in your chosen medium (or two!).

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Gain Professional Experience

Build up your résumé and network with real-world experience.

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Get paid!

Receive up to $250 for successfully completing your Correspondent duties.

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Inspire

Inspire other students to check out your program.

So, what kind of Correspondent are you?

a student sitting at a desk typing on a laptop computer
Taryn K. • Hope College

Blogger

Are you a dynamic writer who shares countless tales with your friends and family? Are you the proud owner of a well-curated YouTube channel? Or are you a talented artist who illustrates your way through life’s twists and turns? Well, then, you just might be a great Blogger. Whether you write, draw, take photos, or make videos, we want your blog to highlight your experience abroad in whatever way makes sense to you.

Read Student Blogs

“Be authentic. Be brave. Be vulnerable. Write only what is true to your experience and not what you think people expect to hear. Don’t worry too much about how each post fits together. If you’re writing from a place of authenticity, your posts will naturally come together in a beautiful way.”
Emily C. • University of Richmond • Granada – Study in Granada

A student taking a picture.
Grace M. • Penn State University

Photographer

Do you live the world through a camera lens, trying to frame everything  juuust right? Does an artistic challenge excite you? This is exactly the kind of person who flourishes as a Photographer for the IES Abroad Marketing team. We rely on our student photographers to help us show the true study abroad experience. That means you’ll be snapping photos that can be featured on our website, social media, and catalogs.

See Yourself in Our Catalogs

“My Correspondent journey has greatly enhanced my study abroad experience.”
Pheonix P. • Spelman College • Buenos Aires – Latin American Societies & Cultures

two friends looking at a phone
Gabrielle E. • Gettysburg College

Social Media

Do you pride yourself on curating the perfect Instagram grid? Or the fact that you always know the latest TikTok trends? Maybe you're constantly sharing mouth-watering food pics, beautiful sunset shots, and your best #OOTDs. Do you wake up and check Instagram and TikTok before you even get out of bed? Then you sound like you would be a compelling Social Media Correspondent. When you post on IG and TikTok about what a day in the life of a study abroad student looks like, you really can help other students follow your journey!

(Psst…do you identify as a Blogger or Photographer and a Social Media Correspondent? No worries, you can do both!) 

Browse Our Social Media Directory

“Writing takes the knotted mess of our experience and smooths it out, makes it linear, and makes it art.”
Katya S. • Georgetown University • Rabat – Study in Rabat

The Details

Three students overlook Chefchaouen, a city in Morocco dotted with blue buildings.

Who We're Looking For

We want inquisitive writers, engaging videographers, and photographers who will do anything for the *perfect* shot… you know, the endlessly creative types who are constantly thinking about the content they want to share. If this sounds like you, then you should definitely apply to be a Correspondent!

A women takes a picture of a Van Gogh painting in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

What Successful Correspondents Have

A successful Correspondent will have a passion and talent for their medium of choice, an interesting, inquisitive, and honest voice, an eagerness to share the IES Abroad student experience, and an open mind, a problem-solving attitude, and a desire to finish what they start.

a student taking a photo on a rooftop in Rome

What You Get

We pay you for your contributions! Highlighting the student experience from the student perspective is important, and we want to make sure you are compensated for completing our program. You can receive up to $175 in summer or $250 a semester for successfully completing your Correspondent duties.

A gray marine iguana sun bathes on gray rocks in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador.
Golden light shines onto the Reina Sofia in Madrid, Spain.
The inside of a cathedral in Madrid, Spain.
A student smiles at an archaeological site in Volubilis, Morocco.

“If writing is also how you express yourself best, my strongest recommendation would be to apply to the Correspondent Program since it is a structured chance to reflect on your life in your host country in real time.”
Kat P. • Scripps College • Granada – Study in Granada

The Spring 2025 Correspondent Application is Closed!

If you're a Summer 2025 student interested in being a Correspondent, hang tight! The application will open shortly and you'll receive an email when it's live.

In the meantime, check out posts from past Bloggers, watch some of our Video Blogs, or see what we're up to on Instagram and TikTok.

Blogs Video Blogs Instagram TikTok