Professional Development Initiative

The Ashinaga USA Scholar Professional Development Initiative supports Scholars’ engagement with professional opportunities. Scholars often find these opportunities on their own, or through the global Ashinaga Africa Initiative network and they range from unpaid internships, academic or experiential research projects, and attendance of professional conferences. 

• Internships: Our Scholars are required to pursue at least one internship on the continent during their university career. We also support the Scholars’ expenses if they choose to engage in additional internships in Africa as we believe that returning to the continent during the summer to work as interns is the best way for them to remain connected to their professional area in Africa and eventually find a suitable job upon graduation.

  • Ashinaga USA Scholars have engaged in 47 internships across sub-Saharan Africa and 10 internships within the United States. 

  • $3,500 is offered for internships in sub-Saharan Africa

  • $3,000 is offered for internships in the Scholars’ home countries or a second internship in sub-Saharan Africa

  • $2,000 is offered for internships in the US for which the Scholar obtains course credit 

• Research and entrepreneurial ventures: Scholars work on a four-year research project called the Ashinaga Proposal, which seeks to find a solution to a problem identified in their home country. $500 is offered to Scholars who wish to conduct research for their Ashinaga Proposal in their home country 

• Professional Networking : Scholars are required to attend virtual or in-person networking events and/or conferences every year. Scholars may also use conferences to present their Ashinaga Proposal, which is a requirement before graduation. 

• We have spent an average of $800 per scholar for in-person conferences that require travel and accommodation