Can I bring my spouse / partner?

Yes, but the fellowship will not provide additional funds, which are calculated on the recipient undertaking the attachment alone. If you or your partner have additional funds or your partner can work in the host country (work visa permitting), Medialink has no objection, although this is not encouraged.

Where will I stay?

That will be determined in collaboration between Medialink, the host organisation and the exchangee. Medialink encourages recipients to take home-stays or to share with colleagues they are working with as this enhances the in-country experience. Generally, hotel accommodation is not allowed, as this does not offer the best opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the local environment.

What happens if the residency costs more than the funds provided by the fellowship?

Generally, the fellowship will not provide 100% of the cost of a placement. The recipient and/or his/her employer may be asked to fund part of the placement, for example, an airfare or internal travel. This is an indication of their commitment to the program. After the amount for the fellowship has been determined, Medialink will not increase the amount, therefore your calculations for the cost of the placement must take into account all possible contingencies. If additional funds are needed these must be obtained from other sources.

Can I undertake additional work in the host country?

This is generally not recommended, as the placement is a full-time position and assimilating into your new environment will take considerable time and effort. However, Medialink has no objection to recipients taking part-time work, provided it benefits the placement and provided the host organisation agrees. Whether you are permitted to undertake paid work will depend on the laws of individual host countries. And, within some countries the rules vary according to your profession / skills (for example, sub-editors can be employed by local news organisations in Thailand while reporters cannot).

Can I send news reports to my home organisation?

You are in the host country to work for the host news organisation (newspaper, magazine, radio, TV), not your home organisation. Your application must include a letter from your boss (eg, your editor / director) declaring that your office will not ask you to file news reports, photos, footage, etc to the home organisation during the residency. However, you will be encouraged to send occasional non-news reports (eg, features), photos, etc, to your home organisation, provided it does not interfere with work at your host organisation.

Can I stay in the country longer than the duration of the residency?

Medialink has no objection, provided (a) your employer agrees, (b) you or your employer fund the extension, and (c) the immigration / work laws of the host country permit an extension. This will depend whether you are staying on as a tourist or to work. You will be issued an appropriate visa for the duration of the residency, and an extension of that visa or the issuing of a new visa will depend on the host country’s regulations, and you must make these arrangements yourself.

Do I have to pay tax on the fellowship?

All recipients will be responsible for their own tax arrangements, and you are advised to confer with your tax office and accountant to ensure any new rules, such as GST (in Australia), are taken into account.

Can I send more material with my application?

Your application must consist of the five-page application form (from the Medialink website) and a letter of support from your boss. The application form has been designed to elicit the information needed for selection, therefore additional, unsolicited, material is not needed. If the application form does not provide sufficient space, you may add one more A4 page. Do not send copies of academic certificates, published articles or photographs, or audio-visual tapes. However, such items may be requested by the Medialink Management Committee of short-listed candidates. Do not send references - referees may be asked to provide information for short-listed candidates only. Health insurance and certificates will only be required from those who are granted a fellowship.

Is the deadline the deadline?

Yes. The application must reach The Asialink Centre by hand, fax or email no later than 6pm, or be postmarked no later than 6pm, on the deadline date. Applications sent as email attachments must arrive in the same format as on the website, therefore it is recommended that they be sent a few days before the deadline date, to allow for potential problems. Faxed applications will be accepted provided the original is postmarked no later than 6pm on the deadline date.