International Writing Camps: Have you ever imagined writing your next novel surrounded by the misty hills of Tuscany or the rice terraces of Bali? Now picture doing that with fellow writers from around the globe, all exchanging ideas, offering feedback, and sharing creative energy. That’s the magic of international writing camps—a unique blend of travel, creativity, community, and cross-cultural exchange.
These aren’t your average workshops. International writing camps are transformative journeys where writers don’t just work on their craft—they live the writing life with others in an environment far from their familiar routines. Whether held in a centuries-old château, a beachside bungalow, or an urban arts hub, these camps are spaces where storytelling becomes both personal and global.
So, what makes these camps so powerful? What kinds of writers go there? And why are they becoming more popular than ever in an increasingly interconnected world? Let’s dig into the vibrant, communal, and wildly inspiring world of international writing camps.
What Are International Writing Camps?
Not Just Workshops—They’re Creative Retreats
An international writing camp is more than just a place to write. It’s a temporary creative village. Writers from different countries come together—sometimes for a few days, sometimes for weeks—to exchange ideas, work on projects, receive feedback, and build lasting connections.
From Solo Projects to Group Collaboration
Some writing camps focus on helping individuals develop personal works-in-progress (novels, memoirs, poetry, etc.). Others involve group storytelling projects, co-writing exercises, or even performances and readings. Regardless of format, the goal is clear: writers helping writers, no matter where they’re from.
Why Go International? The Power of Global Perspectives
Getting Unstuck by Changing Scenery
Let’s be real: sometimes, all it takes is a change of place to break through writer’s block. Writing abroad pulls you out of your routine, bombards your senses with new details, and invites fresh inspiration.
Learning From Other Cultures
You’re not just meeting other writers—you’re stepping into their worlds. How do storytelling traditions differ in Japan versus Kenya? What metaphors resonate across languages? These are the kinds of insights that can profoundly shape your voice as a writer.
Broadening Your Literary Horizons
You’ll get exposed to new genres, narrative styles, and publishing ecosystems. Ever heard of speculative fiction from the Philippines or eco-poetry from Scandinavia? In international writing camps, these are not just books—they’re people, sharing their stories with you in real time.
What Happens at an International Writing Camp?
Daily Workshops and Writing Sessions
Most camps offer structured time for writing—early morning sprints, feedback circles, genre-specific workshops, and optional one-on-one mentoring. The emphasis is often on writing in the moment, not just planning or revising.
Cultural Immersion Activities
You might be attending a haiku session in Kyoto one day and joining a folk storytelling night in Ghana the next. Many camps include tours, cultural exchanges, and local speaker events to enrich the creative process.
Peer Feedback and Story Clinics
Forget the intimidating MFA-style critiques. These camps usually foster constructive, encouraging feedback sessions, often in small groups or cross-cultural pairs.
Public Readings and Community Events
Some camps end with a community showcase, where participants read their work aloud to local audiences or even record short podcasts. It’s a chance to test your voice—and hear it echoed back through applause.
The Joys of Collaboration Across Borders
Co-Writing Stories Across Cultures
It’s common at these camps to find two or more writers from different countries teaming up on a short story, script, or article. You get to navigate narrative voice, structure, and cultural nuance together—and the result is often something neither could have written alone.
Language Exchange and Literary Translation
Some camps deliberately pair writers who speak different first languages, allowing each to help the other translate their work. It’s both a linguistic and emotional exercise—finding ways to convey meaning, tone, and rhythm across linguistic divides.
Building a Global Creative Network
One of the biggest benefits? You don’t leave alone. You leave with friends, collaborators, beta readers, and maybe even co-authors. Writers exchange social handles, swap future manuscripts, and often reunite at future camps or online platforms.
Notable International Writing Camps Around the World
Iceland Writers Retreat (Reykjavik, Iceland)
Combining workshops with guided explorations of Iceland’s surreal landscapes, this retreat draws writers from six continents.
Sangam House (Bangalore, India)
This residency brings writers from India and around the globe together for a shared living and writing experience focused on cross-cultural dialogue.
Hedgebrook (Whidbey Island, USA—but open internationally)
Famous for supporting women and nonbinary writers, this retreat offers a globally diverse cohort, with storytelling across identities and regions.
Summer Literary Seminars (Various Locations)
Held in places like Georgia (the country), Lithuania, and Kenya, these camps are known for blending literary education with cultural immersion.
Bali Emerging Writers Festival (Indonesia)
Alongside its main literary fest, Bali hosts intensive creative camps where emerging voices from Asia and beyond work side-by-side.
Real Stories From Real Writers
The Syrian Playwright and the Swedish Essayist
At a writing camp in Berlin, a Syrian playwright and a Swedish nature essayist were paired in a feedback group. They ended up co-writing a bilingual performance piece about migration and memory, which was later performed at a refugee arts festival.
The Nigerian Poet in Romania
At a Transylvanian camp focused on climate fiction, a Nigerian poet explored water scarcity in verse while exchanging ideas with Romanian eco-writers. That work later evolved into a published chapbook co-edited with one of his camp peers.
The Argentine Novelist Who Found a Publisher in Italy
Sometimes, it’s not just about writing—it’s about connecting. An Argentine writer met a small press editor from Milan at a camp in Tuscany. A year later, her novel was translated and published in Italian.
Who Attends These Camps? (Spoiler: Everyone)
Emerging Writers
Many attendees are just getting serious about their craft. They’re hungry for feedback, mentors, and a sense of belonging to a global writing community.
Mid-Career and Published Authors
Even seasoned writers need refreshment. International camps give them the chance to break routine, explore new themes, and meet audiences beyond their home country.
Teachers, Journalists, and Translators
It’s not just novelists. Many camps attract writers working in journalism, education, activism, and translation—bringing new textures and concerns into the creative mix.
Multilingual and Bilingual Creators
Writers who straddle languages often find these camps uniquely affirming. They can write in English, translate into their mother tongue, or explore hybrid forms of expression.
The Challenges—and How Writers Overcome Them
Language Barriers
Sure, things can get lost in translation. But many camps build in translation support or allow “language pairing” to help writers navigate gaps. And sometimes, those awkward phrases lead to beautiful metaphors!
Culture Clash
Different norms about storytelling, critique, or even time management can cause tension. That’s why many camps open with orientation sessions that build trust, respect, and curiosity.
Impostor Syndrome
Yes, some writers feel intimidated at first—especially if they’ve never traveled or written “publicly.” But these camps often foster a judgment-free vibe. Everyone is learning. Everyone is experimenting.
Financial Accessibility
Let’s face it—traveling abroad to write can be expensive. But many camps now offer scholarships, crowdfunding help, or digital “twin” programs where local writers can join remotely.
Virtual Writing Camps: The Pandemic Pivot
Global Creativity Without a Passport
When travel became difficult during COVID, many camps went online. Surprisingly, the virtual format didn’t kill the magic—it expanded it. Suddenly, writers from rural India, Peru, South Korea, and Canada could attend the same workshop from their living rooms.
Hybrid Models Are Here to Stay
Some camps now offer both in-person and online options. Others create “writing pods” where people gather locally and connect virtually to a global hub. The goal? Inclusivity without compromising depth.
How to Join or Start Your Own Writing Camp
Start by Attending One
Browse programs through sites like Submittable, Poets & Writers, or Alliance of Artists Communities. Don’t be afraid to apply—you don’t need to be a published author!
Pitch a New Camp
Have an idea for a cultural region or theme? Team up with a fellow writer or arts organization to build your own international writing retreat. There’s room for fresh formats.
Create Digital Writing Exchanges
Even if travel isn’t possible, you can still create international connections. Start a cross-border writing group via Zoom. Exchange short stories with a school abroad. Think small—dream big.
In conclusion, In a world that often feels divided, international writing camps prove just how connected we really are. Through pens and keyboards, through midnight talks and sunrise poems, writers help each other become braver, wiser, and more human. These camps don’t just birth stories—they birth friendships, movements, and new ways of seeing.
So whether you’re a new writer hungry for feedback, a traveler longing for purpose, or an artist seeking global dialogue, an international writing camp might just be the adventure your words have been waiting for.
FAQs About International Writing Camps
Not at all! Many camps welcome beginners or emerging writers. Passion and openness matter more than credentials.
2. Are there scholarships or low-cost options available?
Yes, many writing camps offer partial or full scholarships, especially for writers from underrepresented regions or backgrounds.
3. Can I attend an international camp if I only write in my native language?
Absolutely. Some camps include translation support, and many encourage multilingual storytelling. Your voice matters, regardless of language.
4. How long do these writing camps usually last?
Camps can range from weekend intensives to multi-week residencies. Most fall between 5 and 14 days.
5. What should I bring to a writing camp abroad?
Besides the obvious (laptop, notebooks), bring an open mind, curiosity about other cultures, and a few pages of your recent work if feedback is part of the camp experience.
