HOST A PiA FELLOW

PiA IN BRIEF

Princeton in Asia (PiA) has been fostering mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding between the United States and Asia through immersive work fellowships in host organizations and communities since 1898.

  • PiA is an independent non-profit affiliated with and located at Princeton University in New Jersey. 

  • The organization has over 3,400 Alumni who are leaders in their fields across the globe.

  • PiA has partnered with over 400 host organizations in over 30 countries and regions in Asia.

  • PiA host organizations work in the focus areas of arts and culture, education, economic development, environmental sustainability, public health, sports, STEM, and peace, justice, and access to information. 

  • PiA is invested in developing long-term partnerships with host organizations.

 

Who hosts PiA Fellows in Asia?

  • Universities, polytechnics, and primary and secondary schools

  • Newspapers and media outlets

  • Public health, environmental, and development-focused NGOs

  • A rock climbing business and rugby federation

  • Financial institutions

  • Social enterprises

  • Regional cultural preservation organizations

  • Businesses, trade organizations, and start-ups

  • Think tanks

  • Investment, advisory, and consulting firms

What is a PiA Fellowship?

One-year (renewable) or two-year paid, culturally immersive work experience with a host organization in Asia.
In each PiA partnership, there are three stakeholders: Princeton in Asia, the host organization, and the PiA Fellow.

PiA’s Role:

  • Recruit candidates from across the United States to fit the host organization’s criteria and needs. 

  • Conduct a rigorous selection process to identify top candidates for each host organization.

  • Nominate candidate(s) who fit the host organization’s needs and collaborate with the host organization to select a Fellow or Fellows. 

  • Provide Fellows with pre-departure training and orientation, including Teaching English as a Foreign Language training and certification for teaching positions. 

  • Provide a best-in-class emergency assistance provider and comprehensive travel medical and emergency evacuation insurance. 

  • Cover visa application costs paid by Fellows before departure to their posts. 

  • Connect Fellows to PiA’s network of Country Advisors. 

  • Connect Fellows to the extensive PiA Alumni Network. 

  • Conduct site visits to host organizations.

  • Provide professional development opportunities for Fellows. 

Host Organization’s Role:

  • Provide a meaningful paid work opportunity.

  • Supply the Fellow with a monthly stipend to cover housing, food, telecommunications, local transportation and local travel, and other living costs. 

  • Secure appropriate visas or working permits and cover associated costs in-country.

  • Provide a safe and harassment-free working environment for the Fellow. 

  • Offer mentorship and professional development for the Fellow. 

  • Maintain a reasonable work-life balance for Fellows so they have time to engage with their host community. This includes providing vacation days in line with organizational policy. When possible, help Fellows engage with the community. 

  • Collaborate with PiA to establish a memorandum of understanding (MOU), to share Fellow job descriptions for upcoming fellowship cycles, to coordinate on Fellow selection processes, to report any Fellow issues as they arise, and to report on each Fellow’s performance.

  • Benefits such as round-trip airfare to post, housing and telecommunications stipends, and support for language study are highly encouraged but not required.

PiA Fellow’s Role:

  • Sign an employment contract with the host organization and follow all employee policies. 

  • Secure the appropriate visa and work permit, with guidance from host organization.

  • Purchase airfare to and from host country (travel grants are available from PiA). 

  • Make a one-year or a two-year commitment, depending on the host organization’s arrangements with PiA. 

  • Arrange for proper immunizations and medical clearances. 

  • Follow the PiA Code of Conduct. 

  • Uphold the Fellow Values and PiA mission both inside and outside the workplace throughout the fellowships. 

  • Maintain communication and engage with PiA staff through planned programming, as well as regular check-ins and written reports.

 

What is the general timeline for becoming a PiA Host Organization?

New host organizations are onboarded between May and August each year for fellowships beginning the following calendar year.
Example: You want to host a Fellow starting in August 2025. You begin the conversation with PiA as soon as possible. We collect information from you in May of 2024 so we can advertise the position starting in August 2024.

Please reach out with interest at any time of the year. 

 

How do I learn more?

  • Have questions? Email Dr. Molly Giblin.

  • Learn more about our Host Organizations here.

  • Follow us on social media here: @princetoninasia or #pia1898