PRINCETON IN LATIN AMERICA
Engaging communities. Impacting the nonprofit sector. Informing tomorrow's leaders.
Welcome To PiLA
Princeton in Latin America (PiLA) was established in 2002 by an enthusiastic group of Princeton students, alumni, staff and faculty as an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening in the Americas the fulfillment of the University's motto, "Princeton in the nation's service and the service of humanity."
PiLA offers young professionals the opportunity to work with leading organizations across Latin America and the Caribbean, contributing to projects in a variety of fields, including education, public health, environmental conservation, microfinance, and more. Since its founding, PiLA has connected over 400 talented individuals with meaningful opportunities to make a difference in the region.
PiLA matches partner NGO and multilateral organizations that are engaged in socially responsible development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean with highly qualified and motivated recent college graduates pursuing year-long service fellowship opportunities throughout the region. PiLA seeks to have a constructive, measurable impact on its partner organizations and on the communities they serve, as well as on PiLA fellows themselves.
Coltrane Joseph, PiLA Fellow at the DREAM Project, 2024-2025
Become A Fellow
Learn how to put your skills and passions to constructive use to make a difference in Latin America.
Testimonials
“I love everything about PiLA - the work of the partner organizations, the alumni who inspire me, and much more.”
-Elan Fox, Endeavor Mexico, 2021-2022
“Working at AIS has been a formative experience. It has exposed me to the world of education and navigating my strengths and in a place that is very different from my past work experience. I find that what makes PiLA, PiLA, is a world view and perspective. It is a group of fellows and NGOs that believe in supporting communities through their local strength and knowledge.”
-Antonia Nichols, Antigua International School, 2019-2020
“I feel that my personal and professional development over these past two years was significant. My Spanish improved to complete technical-professional fluency; I built experience in project management and leadership; I developed a deep understanding of nonprofit management; I learned more about issues of interest such as statelessness in the Dominican Republic; and I formed an irreplaceable connection to Cabarete, DREAM, and the people I met there.”
-Danielle Coony, The DREAM Project, 2017-2018
“My PiLA experience gave me a clear vision of who I want to be as a young leader in global health that generates environments conducive to growth, creativity, trust, and honesty.”
-Maria Ruiz, Hospitalito Atitlan, 2017-2018
“I believe that my experience at Yspaniola has laid the groundwork for a future career with social and community-led organizations. I hope to take the experience and skills that I have learned and apply them in the areas of international education or diversity and inclusion. My time as a PiLA fellow has given me clarity in what I want to pursue long-term.”
-Tiffany Brown, Yspaniola, 2017-2018
“The experience I gained working with Nicaraguans in an NGO promotin education helped me visualize how progress can be and often is achieved.”
-Niki Hrusa Castillo, Project Alianza, 2016-2017
“Whenever I meet PiLA alumni for the first time, I am always struck by their dedication, resilience, and commitment to social justice. PiLA aluni are spread out across the globe, working in diverse sectors, but we all share a common passion and love for Latin America.”
-Michelle Velez, Endeavor Mexico, 2014-2015
"Applying to PiLA and accepting the fellowship at Endeavor was the best decision I could have taken, both in terms of my career and personal life.”
-Lara Guzmán, Princeton ’14, Endeavor Mexico, 2014-2015