East-WestCenter|www.eastwestcenter.org
PIDP
Frequently-Asked Questions: Pacific Islands Leadership Program with Taiwan (PILP)
PILP frequently asked questions webpage header, featuring a photo of two PILP alum in conversation

How do I apply for PILP?

Application Requirements

Q. How do I submit an application?

Applications should be completed via the online application system.

Q.  Can I submit a Letter of Reference for the author of the letter?

No.  Letters of Reference submitted by the applicant will not be accepted.  If you submit an online application, your referees will receive an email and direct link to complete the Reference Form. If your referee is having issues accessing the form in your Submittable application, they can email the Letter of Reference and business card directly to [email protected].

Q. Should I wait until the deadline to submit my application?

No. It is recommend that you submit your application before the deadline in case of internet connectivity issues, power outages, the online application system crashes, etc.

Q. I see that the deadline is 1 March 2024.  Is that the same deadline for the Reference Forms?

If you are submitting your application on the 1 March 2024, your referees will receive their email notification that same day. The final deadline for your referees to submit their forms will be 8 March 2024.

Eligibility Criteria

Q. Who is eligible and what are the eligible countries? 
The Pacific Island Leadership Program (PILP) is intended for individuals from the following countries in the Pacific Islands region: Citizens of the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu are eligible to apply.

Q. I was born in the Pacific Islands and grew up there, but now I am a U.S. citizen and live in the U.S. Am I eligible for PILP?
U.S. citizens are not eligible for PILP; however, the East-West Center offers a leadership program that is open to U.S. citizens, called the Asia Pacific Leadership Program (APLP). To learn more about this program, please visit http://www.eastwestcenter.org/APLP. Once you review the website, if you have questions, please write to:  [email protected].  

Q. Am I eligible to apply for PILP if I am a dual citizen of the U.S. and one of the Pacific Island countries listed in the PILP application materials?
If you have dual citizenship in both the U.S. and a Pacific Island country, your current country of residency is the determining factor regarding eligibility. If your residency is in a Pacific Island country, you are eligible for consideration for PILP.  If your residency is in the U.S., you are not eligible for consideration for PILP. Alternatively, as a dual citizen, you are eligible to apply to the Resilient Pacific Islands Leaders (RPIL) Fellowship. For more information, please visit www.eastwestcenter.org/rpil.

Q. Is there a work experience requirement?
The program is seeking individuals with a minimum of three (3) years of significant work experience, and who are committed to a career in the Pacific Islands region. 

Q. Is there an education level qualification?
Applicants will normally have a Bachelor’s degree; exceptions may be considered on the basis of other relevant experience and qualifications, as well as leadership achievements.

Q. Are there any age criteria?
The program is intended to build a network of emerging and established leaders and is aimed at early- to mid-career professionals.

Optional Items for Application

Q. How do I upload my video introduction and create a link to add into my application?

  1. Upload your Video:
    • First, create your video introduction. You can use a camera, smartphone, or any other recording device.
    • Upload your video to a video hosting platform of your choice, such as YouTube, Vimeo, or a similar service.
  2. Privacy Settings:
    • Once your video is uploaded, you need to set the privacy settings. If you want to keep your video private and accessible only to those who have the link, follow these steps on YouTube as an example:
      • Go to the video on your YouTube channel.
      • Click the "Edit video" button.
      • Under "Privacy," select "Unlisted."
      • Save your changes.
  3. Copy the Video Link:
    • After setting your video as unlisted, click on the "Share" button on the video page.
    • A URL/link to your video will be generated. Copy this link.
  4. Complete the Application:
    • Access the program application form where you are required to submit your video introduction.
    • Locate the designated text box for the video link.
  5. Paste the Video Link:
    • Right-click in the text box or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+V or Command+V) to paste the video link you copied in step 3.
  6. Double-Check:
    • Before submitting your application, double-check to ensure that the link you pasted is the correct, unlisted video link.
  7. Submit Your Application:
    • Once you've confirmed that the link is accurate and points to your unlisted video, complete the rest of the application form as required.
  8. Final Review:
    • Before finalizing your application, review all the details you've entered to make sure everything is accurate.
  9. Submit Your Application:
    • After reviewing, submit your application.
  10. Confirmation:
    • You should receive a confirmation or acknowledgment of your application submission.

Remember to follow any specific instructions provided by the program for submitting your video introduction. Make sure the video link is accessible and viewable for the duration of the application review process.

I've submitted an application, what happens next?

Selection Process

Q. I've received an interview invitation from the East-West Center, but the interview dates and times are in Hawaii Standard Time (HST).  How do I know what day and time my interview is in my country?

You can convert the dates and times from Hawaii Standard Time to your time zone by clicking here

Decision Letters

Q. When will I learn if I am accepted into the program?

Applicants will be notified by the end of May 2024 about the results.

Q. How are the decision letters sent to applicants?

Applicants will receive a decision letter via email from Submittable or the official [email protected] email account.

What can I expect during the program?

Program Expectations

Q. What does the program expect of its' participants?

  • PILP is an intensive leadership development experience in both Hawaii and Taiwan.  It is not similar to undergraduate or graduate work at university, but is more like a full-time job.
  • Participants are discouraged from engaging in work for their organizations or any outside projects due to the intensive nature of the program.
  • Attendance in every session in mandatory.
  • By accepting placement in the program, participants are committing to fully engage in and complete all sessions in Hawaii, Taiwan, and the Leadership Retreat.

Q. In what language will the program be conducted?

PILP sessions will be conducted in English.  Participants will be expected to have English language fluency.

Q. Is there a dress code for the program?

In Hawaii, the dress code for participants is Pacific casual but occasionally there are events, presentations, or site visits that may require more formal attire, such as a full business suit or cultural attire. During the Taiwan phase, there will be times when casual attire is encouraged but most meetings will be Pacific Formal, especially during the opening and closing ceremonies in Taipei.

Q. I have family/work obligations before the program begins.  Can I arrive after the program begins?

No. Due to the intensive nature of the program, participants must arrive in Honolulu before the start of the program.  Orientation activities are setup for arrival day and the weekend.

Q. Can I depart the program early?

No. If you accept placement in the program, you must complete all three phases of the program.  If you cannot do this, you should decline your placement in PILP and reapply in the future.

What are the provisions of the program?

Financial Questions

Q. Is financial assistance available for PILP fellows?
All PILP participants are granted a generous fellowship.  The PILP fellowship offers the following provisions:

  • Airfare between home country and Honolulu
  • Airfare between Honolulu and Taipei
  • Airfare between Taipei and home country
  • Tuition and course materials
  • Residence room costs
  • Health insurance
  • Living stipend during the ten-week program 

Q. Do I need to pay for my U.S. J-1 Visa fees?

There are 2 fees associated with the U.S. J-1 Visa: 1- SEVIS fee of US $220 and 2- J-1 Visa Application fee of US $185.

The East-West Center will pay for the SEVIS fee of US $220 and will send you a copy of the receipt along with your DS-2019. You will need both the SEVIS receipt and the DS-2019 to submit your online J-1 Visa Application (DS-160).

You are responsible for paying the J-1 Visa Application fee of US $185.

If you are submitting your application to the U.S. Embassy in Suva or the U.S. Consulate in Auckland, you will need to pay the J-1 Visa Application fee before you can secure an interview appointment. Information on payment will be provided to you when you submit your online application.

If you are submitting your application to the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby or the U.S. Consulate in Apia, you will pay for the J-1 Visa Application fee at the time of your interview appointment.

Note: You will not be able to show up at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the visa interview without a pre-scheduled appointment.

Q. What is the monthly stipend amount for a PILP participant?
The stipend during PILP in Hawaii for three weeks is approximately US $735 in total to assist with meals and incidental expenses. If there are program sponsored meals, this cost will be automatically deducted from your stipend, so the amount you actually receive will be less than $735.  The stipend in Taiwan for 6 weeks is approximately US $520 in total, as living expenses are cheaper in Taiwan. (Note: Your housing costs at the EWC and in Taiwan will be paid for by the program, and do not come out of your stipend.) 

Q. Are there provisions for my family?
No.  The PILP fellowship does not cover provisions for family.  The stipend is set at a level to cover the cost of meals and incidental expenses for the participant only during the program. 

Q. Can I bring my family with me?
Due to the intensive nature of the PILP experience, extensive travel and living accommodations for one person only, we regret that we cannot sponsor or invite spouses and/or children to join the participant during PILP.The PILP Fellowship is strictly an unaccompanied program.

Q. Can I work during the PILP?
No.  Due to the intensive nature of the PILP experience in both Hawaii and Taiwan, as well as extensive travel, it is not possible for participants to engage in any outside work or additional courses during PILP.

Visa and Travel

Q. Do I need a passport?
Yes.  A valid passport is required for all participants to enter the U.S. and Taiwan.  As a general rule, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the ending date of the program.  (This means your passport should be valid until April 2025.)  If you are accepted into the program and do not have a passport, please apply for one immediately as this process takes time.

Q. Must I enter the U.S. on a J-1 visa?
Participants from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu are expected to enter the U.S. under the J-1 (exchange visitor) visa sponsorship of the East-West Center. The Center will provide the necessary documents for the J-1 visa application.  Application for a J-1 visa is made at the US Embassy.  If not available in the participant’s home country, visa arrangements will be made at the U.S. embassy that has jurisdiction for the participant’s country.

Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau do not require a visa to enter the U.S.

Q. Do I need to follow the two-year home country physical presence requirement?

For detailed information, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/exchange.html

Scroll down past the website until you see the header, "Two-year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement"

Q. How do I arrange my visa for travel to Taiwan?

If you live in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, or Tuvalu, you will need to submit your visa application to the Republic of China (Taiwan) online. Please wait until you have received an email from PILP staff before submitting an application. PILP staff will be working with the staff at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Honolulu on notifying the ROC Embassies in the region with the list of confirmed participants.

If you do not live in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, or Tuvalu, you will submit your visa application online to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Honolulu. The PILP staff will be assisting you when you arrive in Honolulu. Please note that you will need to submit your passport to TECO for processing. You may be without your passport for a few weeks until the visa is processed.

Q. I went to the Taiwan Mission/Embassy in my country and was told I do not need a visa.  Can I disregard the Taiwan visa application?

No.  You must still apply for a Taiwan visa.  The waiver program is only for a tourist visa.  Since you are being sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you cannot enter on a tourist visa.

Q. If accepted into the program, do I make my own travel arrangements to and from Honolulu?
No.  The East-West Center will coordinate your travel between your home country and Honolulu, travel between Honolulu and Taiwan, and travel between Taiwan and your home country.

Q. If I need to travel to another country for my U.S. J-1 Visa interview, do I need to arrange my own lodging and meals?

The East-West Center will coordinate your travel accommodations in the location of your interview. A modest per diem will also be provided but you will not receive the funds until you have arrived in Honolulu. We suggest you have enough funds with you during this travel to pay for any ground transportation or meals.

If you have questions not covered by this FAQ, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Pacific Islands Leadership Program.