Princeton in Asia

PiA fellowships are one- or two-year immersive work placements at host organizations in Asia. Fellows work as employees of their host organizations and receive the following benefits:

• Immersive, paid work opportunity at a host organization in Asia.
• Stipend from host organization. The stipend is intended to foster an immersive experience in the host community and is set to cover the cost of safe housing, food, telecommunications, and local travel.
• Reimbursement for visa and work permit fees in the United States.
• Health, safety, and welfare support including premium-free traavel medical and emergency evacuation insurance, International SOS membership, mental health support, and pre-departure training and resources.
• Support from PiA Country Advisors. Each country in which PiA operates has one or more designated Country Advisors with significant experience and local knowledge of the host country. Country Advisors assist with enhancing cultural immersion sharing knowledge on local culture, behavior, and norms.
• Connection to the PiA alumni Network and mentor directory.
• Preparation through virtual orientation, teacher training, and ongoing PiA programming.
• Language grants (by application).
• Not every placement site covers airfare, but PiA is committed to ensuring finances are not a barrier to participation and offers travel grants to defray the cost of travel.

Approximately 60 fellowships are awarded each cycle. PiA Fellows develop skills and contribute to the work of host organizations in diverse focus areas:

• Arts and Culture
• Economic Development
• Education
• Environmental Sustainability
• Peace, Justice, and Access to Information
• Public Health
• Sports
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must have:

• A bachelor's degree by the start of your fellowship. They do accept candidates with master's degrees, but not those with terminal degrees (Ph.D., M.D., J.D.).
• A valid passport.
• Professional proficiency in English.

Selection Criteria

To be a competitive candidate, applicants should have:

• Commitment to and embodiment of PiA's mission and values:
  • Focused on bridge-building and relationship-building, not on leadership or personal achievement.
• Ability to function effectively and independently in a new living and working environment.
• Skills, qualifications, and background for job positions:
  • Requirements are included in fellowship descriptions.
  • Host organizations make final selection based on organizational needs, academic background, and professional skills.

• Essay (500 words)
• 2 short responses (250 words each)
• 60-second video
• Resume (3 pages maximum)
• Unofficial college or university transcript
• Anonymous demographic survey
• 1 recommendation form

• Attend a NCA Info Session on Princeton in Asia.
• Schedule an advising appointment with Michele McDonald through My Bearcat Network. In advance of that appointment, please:
  • Carefully review the PiA website.   
  • Complete two NCA forms:
    • Intake form
    • Records Release Form
• Launch your online application.
• Complete and submit application by the National Deadline.

• Information on this page is intended to supplement, not supplant, your own careful review of the official PiA website. If you find any discrepancy between the two, the PiA website takes precedence.
• Though you should seek out others’ advice and feedback on your application, the essays should be your original work (no one should be writing your essays for you). UC’s Student Code of Conduct applies.