Princeton in Asia (PiA) is an independent, non-profit organization located at Princeton University. Founded by students in 1898, the program has long been driven by a mission to foster mutual appreciation and cultural understanding by connecting service-minded graduates and partner organizations in Asia through immersive work experiences that transform perspectives and cultivate long-lasting friendships. It is PiA’s vision that through extended exposure to Asian workplaces and cultures, fellows will develop a life-long appreciation for and engagement in this part of the world. We like to think of PiA as “a change in perspective, a job that matters, an experience of a lifetime.”
For the 2016-2017 academic year, PiA expects to offer approximately 130 full-year fellowships in the following countries: Cambodia, China, East Timor, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand and Vietnam. New positions in other countries are always in development and may also be available. PiA offers service-oriented posts in the fields of education, international development (NGOs), journalism and business, with a majority of fellows working as English teachers at universities and high schools.
More information about specific countries and fellowships is available below. Applicants may also view past fellow reports with more detailed information about specific fellowships (please email piaapps@princeton.edu to obtain the login information).
If you have questions, please see our FAQ section or feel free to contact the PiA office. For more information, please read the Application Process page.
For application questions, please contact us at piaapps@princeton.ed
Specific Eligibility Criteria
- The basic prerequisite for placement is a bachelor’s degree.
- English teaching positions require native English speaking ability.
- Asian language ability is not a prerequisite for most positions.
- Non-teaching positions typically require some language skills or specific academic or work experience.
- All applicants MUST be able to attend one of our interview sessions, located at Princeton University, on the East Coast and in the Midwest in January, or on the West Coast (CA and WA) in early February.
- All applicants who receive placement in a teaching position MUST attend the 20-hour TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification course held April 17-19, at Princeton University.
- While attendance at TEFL is mandatory for all fellows in teaching positions, you are not required to have this level of TEFL training/experience prior to applying to PiA.
- All applicants who receive placement MUST attend the PiA orientation held May 15-18, at Princeton.