<div>Hello, I'm Tom Foley, a junior at the University of<strong> Missouri Journalism School </strong>and an aspiring investigative journalist passionate about uncovering stories that matter. Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Lake Bluff, Illinois, I've always been driven to explore the world through reporting—whether it's local issues or international policies. With dozens of published bylines under my belt, including feature-length articles on politics, immigration, and social issues, I'm excited to take my skills global in the <strong>Brussels Internship Program this upcoming January 2026.</strong>
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<div>My work has been published in the <a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/users/profile/guest279a12a805d6497e95ab8ccf/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong><em>Columbia Missourian</em></strong></a><em>, </em><a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/author/tfoley/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong><em>Iowa Capital Dispatch</em></strong></a><em>, </em>and the<strong><em> </em></strong><a href="https://carrollspaper.com/news/ukraine-can-win-iowa-senator-says/article_40a8b378-aea8-11ec-bae8-db23f5484cad.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong><em>Carroll Times Herald</em></strong></a>. Here at Mizzou, I've recently published a profile on impactful <a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/higher_education/retiring-health-sciences-dean-known-for-building-opportunities-for-students/article_6a24eb22-56a1-4a85-b97f-d722026e2299.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Retiring Health Sciences Dean -Kristofer Hagglund</a> and one on <a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/parks-and-recreation-workers-across-missouri-get-ai-training/article_3bbdb9a6-0db1-4bea-af96-e42bc28fd96f.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI Implementation across Missouri Parks &amp; Rec</a>. This past summer (2025), I interned at the<strong> </strong><a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/author/tfoley/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Iowa Capital Dispatch</em></a> in Des Moines, IA, where I reported on hard-hitting topics like the implications of new tax policies on churches ("<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/07/22/political-campaigns-pulpit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New tax policy may bring political campaigns to th</a>e pulpit, critics say," July 22, 2025), personal stories of deportation<em> ("</em><a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/07/30/story-of-deportation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Former West Liberty resident tells the story of hi</em></a><em>s deportation," July 30, 2025)</em>, and faith leaders' responses to legislation <em>("</em><a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/07/14/heres-what-iowa-christian-leaders-are-saying-about-the-one-big-beautiful-bill/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Here's what Iowa Christian Leaders are saying abou</em></a><em>t the 'One, Big Beautiful Bill,'" July 14, 2025).</em> I also covered Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' ties to Iowa <em>("</em><a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/07/11/huckabee-sanders-highlights-legacy-with-trump-iowa-ties-at-family-leader-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Huckabee Sanders highlights legacy with Trump Iowa</em></a><em> ties at Family Leader event ," July 11, 2025)</em>, an in depth account of a police officers efforts to rejoin the police force <em>("</em><a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/06/26/an-iowa-police-officers-eight-year-journey-back-to-recertification/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>An Iowa police officer’s eight-year journey back t</em></a><em>o recertification," June 26, 2025),</em> and the agricultural impacts of foreign aid cuts <em>("</em><a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/06/12/foreign-aid-cuts-could-impact-u-s-agriculture-industry-advocates-say/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Foreign aid cuts could impact US agriculture ind</em></a><em>ustry, advocates say," June 12, 2025).</em> These experiences honed my ability to dig deep, interview diverse voices, and deliver impactful journalism—skills I'll bring to my next adventure.
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<div>From January 15 to May 2, 2026, I'll be studying abroad in Brussels, Belgium, embedded as an intern at an international newsdesk. Brussels isn't just a beautiful city; it's the epicenter of global decision-making as home to the European Union (EU) and NATO headquarters. I'll be covering stories on international policy, security, diplomacy, and more—topics that shape our world but often go underreported. This opportunity will allow me to produce original reporting, build my portfolio, and network with top journalists, paving the way for post-graduation jobs at outlets like Reuters or Politico.
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<div>However, this dream comes with costs. Total semester costs are $22,748.50, as I've itemized with my Mizzou J-School Study Abroad advisor. Most is being funded by my parents, Federal Stafford Loans, and the savings that I've been building from my part-time on campus job. My fundraising goal is $9,000 which I am seeking through your generous donations. I am also applying for numerous scholarships. Your support will directly fuel my reporting covering key-out of pocket expenses —ensuring I can focus on stories rather than finances.
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<div><strong>Why This Matters:</strong> In an era of misinformation, independent journalism is crucial. My time in Brussels will let me report from the frontlines of EU policies on climate, trade, and security, or NATO's responses to global conflicts. I'll share exclusive updates with supporters, turning your donation into a window on world events.
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<div><strong>How Your Donation Helps: </strong>Every contribution gets me closer to Brussels. Here's a transparent breakdown of the $9,000 goal:
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<div><strong>Let's make this happen—together!</strong>
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<div>And you will be coming along for the adventure: I'll be providing monthly updates from Brussels, including behind-the-scenes insights and story previews via my Substack page. Follow my progress on <strong>Substack (@</strong><a href="https://substack.com/@tomfoley315308" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>tomfoley315308</strong></a><strong> </strong>, where I'll post dispatches) and <strong>MuckRack (</strong><a href="https://muckrack.com/tom-foley-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tom-foley-1</a> showcasing my growing portfolio).
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<div><strong>A Bit More About Me:</strong> As a student journalist, I strive to experience the world vividly each day. My passion for journalism was sparked during an internship while in high school at the Carroll Times Herald, an award-winning, 3rd generation, rural Iowa newspaper run by my mentor, Doug Burns (Substack:@<a href="https://substack.com/@theiowamercury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theiowamercury</a>) Here is a picture of me with Doug celebrating my very first byline!
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<div>Thank you for believing in the power of journalism. Whether you donate $10, $50, or more, or simply share this campaign with your network (Mizzou alumni, journalism friends, or global affairs enthusiasts), you're investing in the next generation of reporters.
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<div><strong>Let's make this happen—together!</strong>
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<div>#studentjournalist #Journalism #donate #StudyAbroad #GlobalAffairs #NATO2025 #EuropeanUnion #Brussels
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<div>#SupportTomInBrussels #FutureJournalist #BrusselsReporting
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<div><a href="https://youtu.be/OiCofEAnDEk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Watch my video!</strong></a>
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