Journalist on radio, television, and online for Radio-Canada for more than 20 years, Frédéric Arnould was born and bred in Namur, Belgium. At 24 he decided to leave everything behind to live his dream as a TV reporter in Canada. He started as a video journalist in Windsor, Ontario, and was posted as a national correspondent in Toronto, Quebec City, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Montreal before becoming a foreign correspondent in Washington, D.C. Since then, he has traveled all over the world as a journalist. His thirst for discovery and sharing has taken him from Guantanamo to Afghanistan and throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. He is also an accredited sommelier, foodie, globetrotter, and an author.

Why did you decide to work as a foreign correspondent in the U.S.?

It might be a cliché, but as a Belgian and European born in the ‘70s, I’ve always been fascinated by the U.S. Big cars, skyscrapers, power, White House… you name it. It was like the American dream from far away. When I emigrated to Montreal, Canada, in the ‘90s, it was a way for me to get closer to that fascinating and different culture. I started to work for CBC/Radio-Canada in different provinces like Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. During all those years I had chances to come to D.C. many times to replace some of my colleagues at our office at the National Press Building when they had time off. And I got hooked! From time to time I covered what was happening on the political scene and many breaking-news stories (mass shootings, fires…) during the past 20 years. And after covering inaugurations and presidential election campaigns, I finally got the posting that I wanted: U.S. correspondent in D.C., in 2021.

What lessons have you learned over the years of working as a foreign correspondent?

Because I had the opportunity to come so often to the U.S. before having the “official job,” I have seen the changes in our field. It is more and more demanding in terms of production. As a correspondent based in Washington, you can’t just do a television or a radio or an online report. You have to do them all! Plus breaking news as it happens on live TV and radio. Usually foreign news offices are short-staffed because of the cost for certain corporations to operate them. While it is sometimes very demanding I wouldn't trade it for anything. And it’s very rewarding personally to be in “the center of the world.”

What is the most important part of your work as a U.S.-based foreign journalist?

Always being plugged in and connected to what is happening in the U.S.! Because we not only cover the White House, Congress, SCOTUS, and the political scene in general, we always have to keep our eyes open on what is happening in every State. Which is so important, because covering D.C. might keep you in an artificial bubble, where you are missing the impacts on the everyday life of the average Joe and Jane, no matter where they live.

What do you consider to be the most challenging aspect of your job?

Not missing anything! Washington can be so overwhelming some days. Briefings here, press conferences there… And your network always wants more because you are the person in charge of not missing anything. In the middle of that storm you also have to keep finding and working on good stories, trying to explain to your viewership, listenership, and readership what is happening in the U.S. on a human level, with human-interest stories to make them understand a reality that can be so different from their own. Plus, working for a foreign media company is not always easy when you are trying to get in touch with people and book them for interviews. “Where are you from again? Canada? Oh, O.K.…”

What is your opinion about journalists pursuing careers as foreign correspondents? How has this experience transformed your career and personality?

I think that for some it might be the crowning prize of a career. For others it could mean a stepping stone to go even higher in the media hierarchy. For me it has always been the best way of better understanding a people, a nation, a way of thinking. Going to a country, covering hard news, and coming back home doesn’t give you a clear understanding of what is happening in the field. You have to live among the people you are covering. To tell better stories through your lens with a better grasp. And it helps you to drop some prejudices you had before. In the end I think that for aspiring correspondents it could be the most rewarding experience in journalism. So please go and do it!

Being a foreign correspondent allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the current affairs in the United States. How do you see the U.S. from a foreign journalist's perspective?

Having covered different election campaigns like the one from 2020 I can’t help but notice the fact that today the U.S. is at many crossroads. Especially when you think about democracy. To us Canadians, the U.S. is so polarized because everything is so politicized. Sheriffs, judges, attorneys, as much as senators and representatives, they all have to have a political color. The result of that is that democracy is in the hands of the most powerful. Changing so many rules of voting while you are in power seems so dangerous to us naive Canadians. Gerrymandering and so on do have impacts on democracy. The U.S. is still for many countries a beacon of democracy. But for how long? U.S. politics is so very interesting but it also brings a great deal of skepticism and cynicism.

Can you offer any advice to aspiring foreign correspondents from around the world who wish to work in the United States?

Be ready to go through so many challenges. On a personal level first. You have to think about your family, if you have one. Will they follow you or not? Be prepared to work long hours and days. And please get out of the D.C. bubble! From my point of view, Americans have always been so generous in telling their stories without any filter and with their gut. Fascinating and rewarding job it is! Don’t miss that opportunity.