In this article on Poynter, contributing editor David Beard spoke to Aya Batrawy, a Dubai-based correspondent for the Associated Press, about how foreign correspondence has changed over the years and the skills needed for this role nowadays.
Batrawy said it's important to be a good listener and keep an open mind when reporting on a different culture and region, and avoid "seeing events through an 'American lens'", which would reflect in the way you tell stories.
If you're a freelance foreign correspondent, she advises building a network of contacts and adapting to different editors and editorial styles.
"Self-confidence helps, but stay humble too when abroad and understand that you will always be learning. It takes years of work before you can truly become an expert on any particular beat."
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