When Paul Bowers submitted his entry to compete with 900 others for a trip to Africa with New York Times writer and Pulitzer Prize-winner Nicholas Kristof, he said he was "blown away by the competition." Read Bowers' essay (pdf) >

Bowers, a second-year print journalism student, said many of the applicants were Ivy Leaguers and some even had degrees in international studies.

That's what surprised Bowers even more when he met Kristof in New York City over Spring Break for his interview and discovered he won.

"That was one of the most surreal experiences of my life," Bowers said.

Though other candidates were definitely qualified, it was Bowers' writing abilities that won Kristof over.

"He told me I was a good storyteller," Bowers said, "I was really flattered by that."

Bowers Application Video

Kristof said in a video blog featuring Bowers that he picked him partly because he believed Bowers could effectively communicate to other students.

"Basically I want somebody who can connect our trip in West Africa to American college students," Kristof said. "I think this guy will do it."

Bowers said he heard about the contest last fall through USC's Office of Fellowship and Scholar Programs, but was reminded of it when he read the New York Times later in the year.

He submitted an essay and a video for the competition. His video entry was his first experience with video editing and took four days to make. Its background music even featured him playing guitar.

Bowers' all-expenses-paid trip to Africa will last two weeks and will allow him to explore West Africa with Kristof while blogging for the New York Times. It was the trip and the opportunity to work with Kristof that influenced Bowers to apply.

"He's a writer I've always admired," Bowers said.

Kristof Interviews Bowers

Though Bowers has never been to Africa, he already has a global mindset, most of which has stemmed from trips to India and Mexico.

During Bowers' trip to Mexico, he said he was overcome with the poverty that he saw.

"Mexico has a big part of my heart," Bowers said. "I've always wanted to see more of the developing world and what we can do to help."

Bowers said he hopes to share what he learns in Africa with others.

"I've been guilty of focusing on America," Bowers said. "There are much bigger problems facing others in the world."

Bowers' writing career started in middle school with the Charleston Post and Courier through a youth program.

"It was a really good starting point," he said.

Since then, Bowers became editor-in-chief of his high school newspaper in Summerville and has written for publications such as Charleston's Free Times. He is currently Viewpoints editor at The Daily Gamecock, and he's previously served as Assistant Copy Desk Chief, Mix Editor, and a writer for various sections.

"The great thing about journalism is you don't have to be an expert starting out, you just have to learn things along the way," Bowers said.

It was through these experiences that Bowers discovered what he wanted to do for the rest of his life - write.

"I like the idea of tracking down the truth and sharing it with people," Bowers said. "I love to write."

To students vying for competitive internships, Bowers has this advice: "Don't back down. If you go out there and give it an honest shot, I think a lot of the time it's going to pay off. In my case, I was just really lucky or really blessed."

Kara Apel is a second-year print journalism student from Cincinnati, Ohio.

She is currently assistant news editor at The Daily Gamecock and blogs for UniversityChic.com. She hopes to write for a daily newspaper after graduation.