The International Rescue Committee has been so fortunate to have had a longstanding relationship with Princeton in Africa since our very first Fellows landed in Rwanda in 1999. Whether it was Emily or Renee in 1999 or the 110 Fellows across 14 IRC countries over the years, we have been blessed by the relationship, the quality of the Fellows and the impact on what IRC does on the ground every single day.
Fellows’ Writings
Princeton in Africa is often asked what Fellows’ experiences are truly like in the field. The fact is, our fellowships are all very unique and a lot depends on the fellowship organization, country, language and job description. We encourage our Fellows to blog about their experiences to shed light on the lessons they learn and the work they are doing, and to open up peoples’ eyes to areas of a continent they may never even have heard of. Below you’ll find excerpts from some of our Fellows as they contribute to the valuable work being done around Africa, learn valuable life-lessons and find their values and belief systems challenged almost daily.
Excerpt from Jane Yang (PiAf Fellow 2011-12, International Rescue Committee, Kenya)
Just Do It? (or, professionalism: part I)
Let’s say I want to be a doctor. How would I prepare to enter that profession? I’d take the pre-med courses, shadow MDs at a local hospital, and find summer internships in the health sector. Then, assuming I make it through the highly-competitive med school application process, after four rigorous years of memorization, I’d practice, practice, practice and learn, learn, learn through a residency program. Finally, when I’m around 29, 30, I’d graduate and be a qualified, certified medical doctor.
Let’s say I want to be a professional in sustainable development or humanitarian assistance. How would I prepare to enter those sectors? Based on my experience and those of most of my friends in the fields, I’d take mostly irrelevant courses in college, join whatever extracurriculars with an international component that are available, and work on a miniature-scale development project or NGO that includes implementation abroad. Then, fresh from graduation, I’d either do something like consulting for a few years before transitioning to an organization like the Clinton Health Access Initiative or ping-pong around from internship to short-term contract both in the States and abroad, all the while wondering how a two-month stint “in the field” while a sophomore in college somehow gives me street cred.
The contrast in standards and barriers to entry is truly striking.
Continue reading more about Jane’s ideas for how we can fix this and what reforms are needed at the university level, here. And read more blog posts by Jane at Engineers Without Borders.
Our History
In 1999, a group of Princeton alumni, faculty, and staff launched Princeton in Africa as an independent affiliate of Princeton University inspired by the University’s informal motto, “Princeton in the Nation’s Service and in the Service of All Nations.” In 2010, the program opened up to include graduates of any US accredited university in order to meet the growing demand from host organizations and allow more young professionals access to the unique opportunities afforded by PiAf. During the past 20 years, we have placed over 600 Fellows with more than 100 organizations in 36 countries, while developing more strategic partnerships across Africa and creating more opportunities for our alumni community to engage with the continent and with one another.