About the Program
The Professional Fellowship is a short-term overseas placement from August to December, or January to May. The Professional Fellowship Program creates a new generation of leaders in the development sector.
Through participating in the Professional Fellowship Program, Professional Fellows become change agents that contribute to our ventures in Africa and help Canadians understand the challenges facing people in the developing world. Learn more about the vision of the Professional Fellowship Program.
Our Venture Teams
As a Professional Fellow, you’ll work on meaningful, systemic change projects where your learning and action will directly influence the strategic thinking of our African ventures. You may work with local government to get clean drinking water to rural communities, help mico-entrepreneurs build assets and their businesses, or help to develop social leaders. Check out all of EWB’s ventures in Africa to see where you can make positive social change.
Program Timeline
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Application open – February 25th to March 25th
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Interviews period – March 26th-April 15th
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Foundational Learning – April to July
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Pre-departure training (for both departure periods) – end of July
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Contributing to a Venture (Africa):
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Summer departure: August to mid-December
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Winter departure: February to mid-May
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Debrief:
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Summer departure: mid-December
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Winter departure: mid-May
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- Contribution to EWB chapter: after return
Program Structure
Prior to the Africa component of the placement, Professional Fellows work through 4 months of individual and team based preparation related to EWB policies, the basics of development work, working in different cultures, and health and safety. Pre-departure preparation finishes off with 1 week of intense group-based experiential learning for all Professional Fellows in Toronto at the end of July.
Once you arrive in Africa, you will receive an orientation to life in your country, as well as to your venture-specific project. Throughout the course of the program, Professional Fellows and EWB’s African Venture Staff will coach and support you in systemic change.
Upon returning to Canada in the middle of December, Professional Fellows are expected to take on leadership roles at their local city network. They’ll share their learning about the complexity of incubating systemic change in Africa and invest in chapter members and future Professional Fellows to develop their understanding on the change-making process.
What Qualifications are Required?
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Be available to live overseas from August 1 to December 20
- Leader, team player, flexible, problem solver, analytical and optimistic. Find out what else makes a good Professional Fellow here.
- Willingness to contribute to EWB’s activities in Calgary upon return (e.g. give presentations about your experience)
- You do NOT need to be an engineer or EWB member to apply
Am I Required to Pay for the Placement?
The cost of the placement itself (airfare, health insurance, living expenses, program expenses, etc.) is covered by the Chapter’s fundraising efforts. It is hoped that the Professional Fellow will assist the Chapter in the initiatives they undertake to raise this money, where possible.
Who Should I Contact for more Information?
Please email the chapter at calgary@ewb.ca