Senior Fellows Program
In 2011, PiA launched its Senior Fellows Program. Proving that it's never too late to go on PiA, the Senior Fellows Program aims to provide opportunities for those who may not qualify as "young alums." Sending seasoned Asiaphiles with experience and proven skills to serve a community in Asia will serve as a valuable complement to PiA's current programming, giving old Asia hands a chance to go back to the field and live the dream alongside current PiA fellows, while also providing a new dimension of service to our Asian partners.
PiA is proud to launch the Senior Fellows Program with its first "Senior Fellowship": an opportunity to work with the Burmese Migrants Education Project in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Burmese Migrants Education Project (BMEP), Chiang-Mai, Thailand
Founded in 2005 by Executive Director Bill Harrison (Princeton ’66), BMEP provides educational opportunities for adult Burmese migrants working in Chiang Mai. In January 2010, BMEP started the BEAM School, which offers to its students both a two-year academic program of high school level courses leading to University application as well as a 6-month vocational training in computer skills (desk top publishing and web page design) and tailoring (design, manufacture and sale).
Role and Responsibilities for the Senior Fellow:
In 2011, the BEAM Foundation will open a cultural center in Chiang Mai to bring together the historically isolated Burmese with a diverse group of individuals, ethnic groups, local organizations and Mekong Region partners. It will offer a broad range of cultural and educational programs and hopefully lead to a future cultural center inside Burma. The Senior Fellow will work with Bill Harrison and others at BEAM, as well as with local NGOs, cultural organizations, universities and potential Mekong Region partners. The cultural center is an ambitious project requiring planning, program development and networking with many organizations and potential partners. BEAM is a new, small Burmese organization and the Senior Fellow role will, by necessity, require a great deal of initiative, flexibility and determination. Additionally, the Senior Fellow could get involved with other BEAM activities such as teaching or counseling on the establishment of vocational businesses.
Timing: 3-6 months, beginning on or around October 1, 2011
Qualifications: For the program, we are seeking candidates who are open-minded, self-motivated, enthusiastic and hardworking. Previous non-US work experience and/or cross-cultural experience is helpful but not essential. This assignment can benefit from a Senior Fellow who enjoys working as part of a larger team, who has achieved excellence in his or her career to date and who is excited and challenged by the prospect of applying skills learned to this important role.
Stipend: A stipend will be paid which will cover reasonable housing expenses.
Other: Couples may consider coming together; should both partners wish to volunteer, they may do so by either working together to set up the project or volunteering for other BEAM roles in Chiang Mai.
Visa and Training: BEAM will arrange for visas.
To apply for a Senior Fellowship or to learn more about the program, please email pia@princeton.edu.
