Freeman Intern Fellowships in East Asia

American Indonesian Exchange Foundation [AMINEF], Jakarta

AMINEF is a bi-national Fulbright commission, who works for educational and cultural exchange programs. AMINEF’s many programs for educational exchange have increased mutual understanding between the United States and Indonesia and strengthened the ties that unite the two countries. The intern will help to enhance the mission, strengthening cultural understanding, giving fresh ideas and inputs from the perspective of one of their target audience (Fulbright applicants). Institutionally, AMINEF is always eager to broaden the network with universities and other institutions in the U.S.

AMINEF seeks an intern with education, experience or interests in communication, social media, education and international exchanges. The selected Freeman Intern Fellow for AMINEF will work in the Fulbright Commission office in Jakarta. They will assist AMINEF’s Grants for Americans Program and the Communications and Alumni Networking team. For the former, she may be asked to help with the pre-departure and arrival orientation program of incoming Fulbright US Student English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) and orientation materials for other incoming American Fulbrighters, and for the latter s/he may help with the Fulbrighter online app as it relates to the Indonesian Fulbright program, as well as be given tasks related to an e-mail newsletter, helping summarize social media analytics, and interviewing current grantees and alumni for use in recruitment of future American Fulbright applicants.

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ANSA-Cambodia [The Affiliated Network for Social Accountability], Phnom Penh

ANSA is a network NGO monitoring government performance in education, health, natural resource management and related administrative public deliveries. ANSA contributes to the implementation of Check My School 2 in the reporting and development of ICT platforms related to social accountability.

The intern can be in the field of law, governance, project development, research, media, political science and ICT. The intern will work closely with ANSA management team in reporting, developing project news articles for the website, fundraising, conducting regional and country’s social accountability context analysis, and developing/designing project and grant proposals along with ANSA’s strategic plan.

ARMA: Agung Rai Museum of Art & Resort, Bali

Center for Research and Community Services-Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University [UIN], Jakarta

The Center for Research and Community Services at UIN, the State Islamic University of Indonesia based in Jakarta seeks an intern who will: 1) develop campus website and social media in English, 2) organize activities of many different student organizations within UIN Jakarta campus, and 3) attend classes to give brief talks about student and academic life in American universities.

The ideal Freeman Intern Fellow at the Center for Research and Community Services-UIN will have:
(1) skills in building website (esp. English content)
(2) great organization skills
(3) good writing, editing and language skills suitable to Public Relations

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Central Tham by Central Group, Bangkok

Central Tham is a project by Central Group that aims to encourage everyone to take part and take action in helping society and creating a sustainable environment. Central Group has continuously conducted business with social responsibility, and aims to create positive business impact that serves social needs. We are committed to contributing to Thailand's sustainable development through the transformation from 'Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)' to 'Creating Shared Value (CSV)'We share our knowledge in 4 areas for sustainable development and operate in accordance with UNSDGs: people, prosperity, planet, and peace and partnership

The Central Family – the Central brand of retail, services and products has become synonymous with trusted quality and excellence in Thailand, and continues to remain at the top of the marketplace. Central Group consists of a variety of diverse investments in various corporations, each of which has become the leader in the retail, property development, brand management, hospitality, and food and beverage in-dustries. These complementary businesses continue to strengthen our position in the marketplace, both domestically and internationally.

 ::: Sustainable Development Internship at Central Group :::

Job Description

• Plan, organize, coordinate, provide status updates, and participate in company CSV (Creating Shared Values) activities

• Create Sustainable Development content on website, emails, newsletters, presentations 

• Write communications enlist employee participation in company-wide CSV programs (Central Tham) and provide updates   

• Research Sustainability policies, strategies, and trends around the world

• Schedule meetings within the team or other groups 

• Work with organizations, suppliers, and other parties in coordinating projects

• Processing applications for sponsorships 

• Provide necessary support to the CSV team 

:::Place in the organization:::

The internship falls under Central Group Sustainable Development function. 

The intern will report to the Head of Sustainable Development Office and will be in close contact with employees of several other departments within the organization, such as communication & marketing, finance, and HR.

:::What can we offer :::

Within Central Group, we offer a work environment with a focus on the intern’s personal development, in which they will get a lot of responsibility.

· You will be assigned a work station and receive a laptop;

· You will gain knowledge and expertise of Central Group

· You will gain experience within a large international retail/real estate firm

· You will expand your professional network 

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CheckMySchool-ANSA-EAP [The Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific], Metro Manila 

ANSA-EAP is a network NGO monitoring government performance in education, health, natural resource management and related administrative public deliveries. ANSA contributes to the implementation of projects such as Check My School in the reporting and development of ICT platforms related to social accountability. CheckMySchool (CMS) is a participatory monitoring initiative for the education sector in the Philippines. Previous interns monitored and collected data on 893 public schools. The Freeman Intern Fellow will be given access to these data and will propose a framework for data management and analysis.

Cities for Enhanced Governance and Engagement [CHANGE], Metro Manila

Cities for Enhanced Governance and Engagement (CHANGE) is a USAID-funded five-year activity designed to support strengthened democratic governance in the Philippines by making local governance more responsive, transparent, and accountable. CHANGE fosters capacity and harmony of governments, civil society, and private sector to improve the implementation of decentralization, enhance local governments’ legitimacy and effectiveness, and empower citizens.

CHANGE is based on the premise that collective actions and stronger partnerships between local governments and the communities that make up their constituencies will bring democratic governance closer to the people. More specifically, the improved implementation of decentralization in the Philippines will help strengthen democratic governance in the country. Change has three key objectives: strengthened enabling environment,enchanced local service delivery, and empowered civil society.

The responsibilities of the Freeman Intern Fellow for CHANGE may include community-based field work in selected locations and writing a report for USAID with a view to give historically marginalized groups in the Filipino community a greater voice and place in modern civil society.

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Equal Asia Foundation, Bangkok

Equal Asia Foundation (EAF) a rights- based innovation incubator. We design and test solutions that advance LGBTI+ inclusion and support community organisations who work toward a more equitable future for all. We address the challenges that LGBTI+ communities in Asia face today, but we also scan the horizon and help design ways to build resilience to future shocks. We are a learning organisation, and we embrace new and emerging technologies. We take an inter sectional and evidence-based view of our communities’ challenges.  We address them through a unique combination of experise, skills and funding. We test our innovations, refine them and support communities to implement them.

We seek a Freeman Fellow with a profound dedication and commitment to the global LGBTI+ community who will assist with feasibility studies such as for an application that will connect LGBTQI gig workers to share best practices, access job opportunities, and compare experiences. Responsibilities include conducting desk research, field interviews, grant writing, and proposing/organizing educational events, attending local and regional conferences, and writing biweekly blog posts about intersectional queer issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

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Global Playground Thailand-Mae La Noi Daroonsik School, Mae Hong Son

Global Playground has worked in Thailand since 2010. With a total investment of $35,385, Global Playground has partnered with NGO partners and communities in the Mae Hong Son province on four educational infrastructure projects at three schools, benefitting at least 520 students every year. In Thailand, Global Playground has prioritized projects at schools such as Mae La Noi Daroonsik School in Northern Thailand that support students from ethnic minorities, or “hill tribes”, who have historically been in under-resourced communities. Learn more about our four projects in Thailand below.

The selected intern will teach English to Thai high school students for 20–25 class hours per week, engage with the school community outside the classroom to foster cross-cultural exchange such as attending club meetings, sports practices, school ceremonies, and individual tutoring sessions in all subjects. Responsibilities with Global Playground included developing their growing social media platforms and designing their fundraising event marketing. Additional duties included researching various aspects of education inequality and global economics. 

HekaBio K.K., Tokyo

HekaBio K.K. is a healthcare venture that endeavors to close the gap in access to life changing therapies for patients fighting intractable diseases in Japan.  In collaboration with global partners, HekaBio develops leading edge technologies, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and cell and gene therapies, in therapeutic areas including cancer, neurology and auto-immune diseases.

The Freeman Intern Fellowship for HekaBio requires evidence of strong analytical and presentation skills, with preference for students majoring in Japanese, Japanese Studies, AMES, APIA, Pre-Med. Responsibilities may include working on due-diligence and market research for potential products in the cancer and radiology sector, identifying areas of need and compiling key takeaways to help the company best allocate resources. The Freeman Intern Fellow for Heka Bio may also analyze quantitative data to create qualitative recommendations on the company’s overall positioning. 

Institute for Peace and Unification [IPUS] at Seoul National University [SNU],  Siheung

Guided by a vision to achieve sustainable peace in the Korean Peninsula, the IPUS seeks to create the necessary discourse, policies, values and culture to establish multidisciplinary and convergent perspectives in peace studies.

The Freeman Intern Fellow for IPUS-SNU will focus on nuclear deterrence between China and North Korea and will include editing responsibilities for IPUS peace studies journal. They may assist IPUS editorial staff in planning an international peace studies conference.

Jing-A Brewery, Beijing

京A Brewing Co., a microbrewery in Beijing, is the brainchild of W&M alum Alex Acker '00 and his friend Kris. Kris and Alex brew world-class craft beers of all types and are always on the hunt for unique ingredients, techniques and stories that are distinctly Chinese. They host brewers hailing from Alaska to the Middle East, and travel to collaborate with some of the world’s best breweries.

The Freeman Intern Fellow will join our marketing/brand team and help with everything from events and beer festival organization to social media posts, website updates, new beer copywriting, graphic design, photography, video making, retail promotions, and much more. We often get our interns working on a business strategy project as part of their time with us too. In addition, we give all our interns a chance to help out in the brewery, generally one day a week, to learn how craft beer is made on a small 3 bbl brewhouse in downtown Beijing. Over 80% of our staff are Chinese, so there is plenty of time to practice and improve language skills too. Skills sets required include: strong writing/communications skills. Graphic design/wordpress/illustrator/photography/videography skills or hobby a plus. Preference for applicants with Chinese language skills.

Middle East Institute - National University of Singapore [MEI-NUS], Singapore

Middle East Institute exists to advance understanding of the Middle East, and to deepen engagements between the Middle East and Asia. Internship focuses on political science and Middle Eastern Studies. Applicants must complete a separate application with the host through their website found via this link. 

The successful applicant will be versed in social media and video production such as Twitter, Facebook, podcasts,  and video editing, as part of their role would include helping to take care of the institute's public outreach through podcasts, videos, and social media posts. 

Philippine Social Science Council, Metro Manila

The Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC) is a private, non-stock, not-for-profit umbrella organization of professional social science societies and social science research and training institutions in the Philippines. Its mission is to advance the Philippine social sciences and, at the same time, serve as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogues and activities. PSSC has done this by providing support to the activities of its member-associations and institutions; administering grants and fellowships; conducting training workshops, fora and conferences; and pursuing and disseminating research.

The ideal Freeman Intern Fellow for PSSC will have strong research and coding skills (front and back-end) for the implementation of the PSSC Data Center. They may be asked to develop and curate an online database portal website to help the PSSC provide more tools for social science researchers and increase engagement with their organization. Responsibilities include conducting interviews with potential users and researching which databases to include as well as developing the webpage using WordPress.
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Sant Maral Foundation, Gallup Poll, Ulaanbaatar

The Sant Maral Foundation (SMF) was established in September 1994 as a public benefit, self-governing, non-profit non-government organization. The goal of the foundation is to contribute to Mongolia's social development geared towards the creation of a society based upon the principles of freedom, justice, and democracy. Since its formation, SMF established itself as the premier Mongolian polling institution in the country. Internship will focus on social science survey research.

The Freeman Intern Fellow assigned to the Sant Maral Foundation will serve as a field supervisor for the Gallup World Poll, accompanying interviewers to ensure Gallup's strict methodology is followed, and will conduct remote quality control. They will also assist with research tasks as assigned and agreed upon by their supervisor.

Sing Lit Station, Singapore

Sing Lit Station is a literary arts organisation, a registered charity and an Institution of Public Character (IPC) in Singapore. Our vision is to be a platform where readers and writers can meet. Our core mission is to serve the local literary community of writers and readers, through (i) creating a space for writers to grow their artistic and professional lives; (ii) inviting readers to explore our literary culture; and (iii) working with many partners to build inclusive and dynamic communities. We are a recipient of the Major Company grant from the National Arts Council of Singapore from 2019-2022. 

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University-International Office [UIN], Jakarta

UIN is the State Islamic University of Indonesia based in Jakarta and offers an internship positions at its International Office.

The Freeman Intern Fellow at the International Office will be tasked with: A) developing information in English in the form of website, social media and campus broadcasts, B) building creative forums for students in the dissemination of news, enabling the exchange of ideas, outlets for creative work within the university, and C) fostering cross-cultural connections through international exchange between William & Mary and UIN Jakarta.

The ideal Freeman Intern Fellow at UIN's International Office will have:
(1) skills in building website (esp. English content)
(2) great organization skills
(3) good writing, editing and language skills suitable to Public Relations

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Taiwan Association for Human Rights [TAHR], Taipei

Taiwan Association for Human Rights (TAHR) is an independent non-governmental organization and was founded on 10th December 1984 (International Human Rights Day). It is a member-based NGO and run by full time activists and volunteers.

• Non-aligned with: government, political parties, financial groups, interest groups, or groups with specific political ideologies
• Aims to establish and improve human rights, and are devoted to strengthen human rights standards and protection mechanisms.
• Cares for individuals, groups, and communities, who suffer from threats or violence regardless of class, status, race, gender, belief, or nationality.
• Focuses its attention on domestic human rights issues, and cooperates with international human rights organizations on global human rights issues.

The Freeman Intern Fellowship for TAHR requires mandarin language proficiency, with fluency a preferred qualification. TAHR seeks applicants with a deep commitment to human rights causes and have exhibited participation in such movements, be they for LGBTQIA+ rights, refugee rights, and women's rights. The responsibilities may include the following:

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Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD), Taipei

Taiwan Foundation for Democracy strives to play a positive role in consolidating Taiwan's democracy and fortifying its commitment to human rights. The Foundation was established with an inter-related, two-tracked mission in mind. Domestically, the TFD strives to play a positive role in consolidating Taiwan's democracy and fortifying its commitment to human rights; internationally, the Foundation hopes to become a strong link in the world's democratic network, joining forces with related organizations around the world.  

This Freeman Intern Fellowship requires writing and editing skills, videography, and video editing skills. The assigned Freeman Fellow may also assist in the organization of a conference or symposium and/or research projects undertaken in the Foundation.
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University of the Philippines-Natural Research Science Institute, Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory [UP-NSRI-PHEIRL], Metro Manila

Housed at the University of the Philippines’ Natural Science Research Institute, the Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory mainly focuses on work that require DNA-detection methods such as PCR and qPCR. Our laboratory currently handles organisms such as Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis sp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., and Trichomonas vaginalis. These are mostly intestinal and urogenital microorganisms so it would be best if the student has no problems with handling samples such as meat samples, stool samples, sewage water, blood, and clinical swabs. 

The 8 week internship program provides mentorship in research projects and other microbiological methods and concepts to the interns from the College of William & Mary. The interns also provide assistance to our various projects where they can also learn about our projects. We prefer students who have backgrounds or courses in the sciences, particularly in microbiology, molecular biology, and protozoology. It is best if the student is also familiar with the concepts of bacterial and/or protozoan culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Interns interested in the methods and organisms we study or related topics are welcomed as interns in the laboratory.

Vectr FinTech Partners, Hong Kong

Village Focus International, Vientiane

VFI is a non-governmental organization based in Vientiane, Laos that aims to strengthen village life by eradicating human trafficking, assuring communities’ land rights, and increasing their food security.

The ideal Freeman Intern Fellow for VFI will be a self-starter with strong communication and writing skills for research, policy briefs, grant proposals, reports to donors, communication, stakeholder analysis, and social media marketing of social enterprise projects. Other skill sets desired include communication and marketing, graphic design, social media, video making, web design. Applicants with experience in GIS and mapping and/or an interest in developing plans for expansion of eco- and agri-tourism activities and social enterprise are also welcome.

We women foundation-Myanmar, Chiang Mai

In 2009, the We women foundation was founded in the service of assisting unrecognized refugee women from Myanmar. Although the particulars of each woman’s story varied, the reason for their flight from Myanmar was the same: life under military dictatorship in Myanmar was harsh, characterized by chronic economic, social and political crises. For fifty years, forced labor, forced relocation and armed insurgency fuelled by ethnic and political tensions was daily life reality for people throughout the country. Ethnic minorities fled the country, many young women among them. We women assists them in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with education projects.

The appointed Freeman Intern Fellow will be based in Chiang Mai, Thailand while working for We women foundation initiatives and projects in Myanmar and its global diaspora.

*Finding Your Own Internship

Highly motivated applicants are encouraged to exhibit their potential leadership as Freeman Intern Fellowsand apply their agency and resourcefulness by seeking and securing their own internship positions. The following are the steps in the procedure for applicants independently securing internships:

1. List "Soliciting My Own Position: Name of Company" in your ranking of the options you are choosing. You are not required to place your solicitation as your top choice.
2. Search for positions online, the Cohen Career Center, your personal networks, or through the advice of your professors in your chosen field.
3. With the assistance of the Cohen Career Center, compose a cover letter soliciting a position and presenting yourself as a most viable team member adding value to the organization based on their mission and objective.
4. You may include in the letter that you are "applying for support with your university that may fund your travel and lodging while employed as their intern so there is no need for them to compensate you" if the position you are seeking is not advertised as a paid position or if you are sending a cold solicitation or application.
5. Once you are hired or approved in the position you solicited, inform them that you will be connecting them with the faculty director of the W&M Freeman Intern Fellowships in East Asia program, where you have applied for funding, where their organization will now undergo the approval process to be an official institutional partner of the program."
6. Send a handshake email connecting the faculty director, Professor Francis Tanglao Aguas (asiancentennial@wm.edu) with the organization's hiring officer or your direct supervisor.
7. The faculty director will then work with your organization's appropriate official to complete the official partnership process.

2022 Freeman Intern Fellows

Collin Absher, CHANGE, Manila
Alexandra Byrne, Sant Maral Foundation, Ulaanbaatar
Jomel Caguicla, Jr., UP-PHEIRL, Metro Manila
Isabella DiFulvio, Philippine Social Science Council, Metro Manila
Erin Horrigan, ANSA-Cambodia, Phnom Penh
Caroline Kachadoorian, ANSA-Cambodia, Phnom Penh
Daniel Kalish, Middle East Institute-NUS, Singapore
Samuel Ketchem, HekaBio, Tokyo
Grace Kosco, Philippine Social Science Council, Metro Manila
Aubrey Lay, Equal Asia Foundation, Bangkok
Pietro Marino, ANSA-Cambodia, Phnom Penh
Jocelyn Massenet, Global Playground-MLND School, Mae Hong Son
Sean Nguyen, Sant Maral Foundation, Ulaanbaatar
Tj-Yuxin Song, Global Playground-MLND School, Mae Hong Son
Clairice Wyszynski, IPUS-Seoul National University, Si-Heung

2020 Appointed Freeman Intern Fellows

Juan Miguel Almirante
Austin Anderson
Athena Benton
Emma Burleigh
Alexandra Byrne
Holly Caboti-Jones
Quan Chau
Margot Cunningham
Leslie Davis
Gabrielle DeBelen
Jana El-Sayed
James Halderman
Saja Ibrahim
Jamelah Marie Jacob
Calvin Kim
Jeiho Kim
Julianne McFarland
Marcus Odin
Ansh Patel
Zoha Siddiqui
James Storen
Kathryn Yang

2019 Freeman Intern Fellows

2018 Freeman Intern Fellows