US Citizenship Not Required

• The primary prerequisite for a PiA fellowship is a bachelor’s degree. Some positions may require additional work experience or credentials. Candidates with master’s degrees are eligible, but not those with terminal or professional degrees (e.g., Ph.D, medical, law, etc.).
• PiA applicants are generally college seniors or recent college graduates. Graduates of any college or university are eligible to apply for a PiA fellowship. There is no age limit for applying to PiA.
• While PiA does not restrict eligibility based on US citizenship or residency status, all candidates must present a compelling rationale for how they will contribute to PiA’s mission of United States-Asia exchange. Please note that host countries’ visa restrictions may limit the ability to place citizens of certain nationalities.

Additional eligibility information:

• All applicants must have a valid passport by the time they accept a fellowship offer. For visa purposes, PiA Fellows need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after their fellowship end date. If you do not have a passport or your passport will expire soon,
• All positions require professional proficiency in English. English teaching positions require native or near-native English-speaking ability.
• Asian language skills are welcome but not required for most fellowships. Applicants should refer to fellowship descriptions to identify specific language and skill requirements for each post.
• Applicants are not required to have any level of TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training or experience before applying to PiA. All candidates who receive placement in a teaching position will be asked to complete PiA’s teacher training course.

Successful candidates are those who seek a transformative experience, want to contribute to their host organization, want to facilitate cultural exchange through relationship building, and demonstrate personal and professional readiness to function effectively in a foreign living and work environment.

PiA Fellows embody the following values: 

• Transformation. Fellows are open to being transformed by their work and their relationships with the people with whom they interact abroad.

• Immersion. Fellows strive to be citizens of the communities in which they live and work, becoming fully immersed in the life of their host organization and communities.

• Relationship building. Fellows build meaningful and long-lasting relationships with their peers, community members, and each other.

• Humility. Fellows dedicate themselves to professional service in the organizations where they work and the communities where they live, and approach their daily interactions with respect and understanding.

• Mutuality and interdependence. Fellows are both learning from the communities in which they work and teaching people in those communities about what life is like in the United States, fostering cross-cultural understanding and mutual understanding and respect.

• Contributing to the community. Fellows endeavor to contribute to their host communities and broader global community by making a lasting difference.

While previous cross-cultural experience can be helpful in preparing a Fellow to transition to foreign living and work environment,  it is not essential. PiA looks for Fellows who have a strong work ethic and are committed to the PiA experience, who demonstrate the maturity and professionalism necessary to steward cross-cultural relationships, who demonstrate resourcefulness and self-management, and who are adaptable and resilient.

A patient and flexible outlook toward career decisions is also beneficial. PiA hopes first-year Fellows will seriously consider the possibility of staying a second year, as Fellows’ language and teaching/workplace skills, as well as their cultural awareness, usually improve considerably during a second year on PiA. Additionally, applicants may choose to apply for a specially-designated two-year fellowship.

The Princeton in Asia applicaton consists of:

• • One completed online application form. Within it, you will upload:
    • One completed essay 
    • Two short answer responses
    • One 60-second video
    • One resume (3 pages maximum; should highlight relevant teaching or work experience, language proficiencies, cross-cultural experience, etc.)
    • One unofficial college or university transcript

The following materials are also required but must be submitted on separate online portals:

• One anonymous demographic survey
• One recommendation form, completed by your chosen recommender. Please note that there is no submission of a standard letter of recommendation. 

And

• One letter of recommendation, submitted by your chosen recommender