Princeton in Latin America
National deadline: November 20, 2012 - receipt of all application materials, both hard copy and electronic.
Mission Statement: Princeton in Latin America (PiLA) is a nonprofit organization that provides year-long service work and non-profit sector fellowships in Latin America to current undergraduates and recent alumni. PiLA opens the doors to career paths, personal enrichment, and understanding service as an effective way to address social needs. A year devoted to service work offers students an extraordinary opportunity to become familiar with a region experiencing significant development. PiLA fellowships enable students to extend the benefits of a Princeton education beyond the classroom and join a group of motivated citizens with a lifelong commitment to Latin America. In the spirit of Princeton's informal motto "In the Nation's service and the service of all Nations," the work of these graduates supports efforts to overcome the region’s educational, economic, and environmental barriers to development.
Costs: PiLA fellowships are paid positions. Fellows will receive a monthly stipend, either from PiLA or
the partner organization, or a combination of the two, to cover daily living expenses: housing,
food, and local transportation. In a few instances, you may be asked to do some of your own
fundraising. Applicants and selected fellows should be prepared to assume the following costs:
- Application fee: $50.00
- For off-campus applicants: transportation expenses for trip to Princeton in February
- (interviews) and late May (orientation)
- Pre-departure health expenses and health insurance (approx. $40 a month)
- Visa application fees
- Round-trip airfare to Latin America
Upon selection for a fellowship, the PiLA home office will work with the fellow to arrange
student loan deferrals, health insurance, and to obtain any necessary visas.
Eligibility:
- Graduating seniors
- Young alumni (class of 2007 forward)
- International students
- For most positions, some knowledge of the local language (Spanish, Portuguese, or French) is necessary. In addition, applicants who feel that they might need to strengthen their language skills may indicate that they plan on taking language classes prior to starting their fellowship. Please note that while we do not reject applicants who have little Spanish, our program, because of the work you will be doing, emphasizes solid language skills. However, our new teaching positions do not require fluency; you should make note of your interest in those on the applications forms.
Application process: electronic and hard copy
Application materials: hard copy
- Application Fee: $50.00. Please make checks payable to Princeton in Latin America.
- Resume: Your resume should include all pertinent contact information and should not exceed one page. Please do not forget to include public service and time spent in Latin America, noting what the purpose was (internships, study abroad, travel, living).
- Letter of reference: Please include one letter of reference from a professor or an employer that comments on your personal characteristics that qualify you to live and work abroad.
- Essays
- Official University Transcript and any Study Abroad Transcripts
- Supplemental Language and Location Preference Form
- Submit all of the preceding in hard copy by November 20, 2012 (receipt) to :
Princeton in Latin America (PiLA)
Attn: Claire Brown
194 Nassau St, Ste. 210
Princeton, NJ 08542
In addition, please submit your resume, your letter of reference, your essay, and your
supplemental form electronically via our online application at: http://form.jotform.us/form/22466042562147
Please make sure that you BOTH submit an online application AND an application through regular mail; we need a hard copy and electronic copy.
Please have your letter writer submit an online letter of recommendation AND send a hard copy of the letter through regular mail (unless s/he is abroad).
----The hard copy may be included with the rest of your hard copy application as long as the envelope is signed and sealed or it may be mailed directly by the recommender.
----For the electronic copy of the letter please ask your recommender to upload it directly to PiLA via the link you will find on the online application form.
Faculty representative: Keith Raether
Important dates:
- Early January: On-campus interviews with PiLA selection committee. The interview will be partially conducted in Spanish and/or Portugese. Finalists’ materials are forwarded to partner organizations.
- February: Organizations may contact finalists for further interviews.
- Mid-March: notification of placements is rolling. Therefore, fellowship acceptances must be made within 3 days of your receipt of the offer from PiLA. If finalists cannot commit, alternates are contacted.
- Mid-May: Required new fellow orientation held at Princeton.
- June-September: New fellows leave for Latin America. Departure date is negotiable and is arranged in conjunction with partner organization.
345 Boyer Ave.