VIA’s Global Community Fellowship Program – United States

Fellows work at NGOs, schools, universities, and social enterprises across Asia to support community development, capacity-building, and education. By working directly with communities, fellows get hands-on experience learning how organizations in Asia are using creative and innovative methods to address critical social challenges.

Fellow Roles & Responsibilities

• Fellows engage in a wide range of activities and tasks with the local partners. Each post has a unique mix of responsibilities, which generally fall into the following categories:
  • Education: Fellows advance student development in critical thinking and cross-cultural communication. Through teaching (English or other subjects depending on the post), you’ll help students to access future education and professional opportunities.
  • Training & Capacity-building: Fellows develop training resources and curricula for partners to enhance their organizational operations and optimize for impact. You may help with needfinding, research, training program or workshop design, facilitation, and assessment for partner staff and/or the communities they serve.
  • Community Development: Fellows support community development and international communication efforts by facilitating access resources, networks, and collaboration opportunities. You may help with fundraising, project management, and community outreach efforts of the local partners.

Finances

• The fellowship is fully funded by VIA, with support from alumni, grants, and the partners.
  • Included:
    • Approximately three weeks of training, covering program management, cross-cultural communication, leadership development, local language lessons, and teacher training
    • Comprehensive emergency medical and evacuation insurance (fellows will be reimbursed for any add-ons they need to purchase directly when completing their enrollment)
    • Living and housing stipend (based on local cost of living) while working at your post
    • Intra-Asia travel (from training to your post and wrap-up conference)
    • Language study grants and tutors are available at some posts
  • Not Included:
    • Vaccinations (cost will depend on individual insurance)
    • Initial visa costs ($150-$300, depending on country)
    • Roundtrip airfare to/from Asia (usually around $2,000)
    • Meals and optional activities during training and conference ($300-$500)
    • Personal travel while at post or after fellowship has ended

Eligibility Criteria

• VIA program participants range in age from 21 to 70 and come from many different walks of life. Interest in Asia and cultural immersion bring a diverse group of Fellows together. Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:
  • Be able to read, write, and converse clearly at a professional level in English (English does not need to be your first language).
  • Be a US citizen, permanent resident, or have significant experience in the US (e.g., graduated from a university, worked several years in the US, etc.).
  • Have completed at least a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) by the time of departure.

For more information, visit Volunteers in Asia (VIA).