All undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania are eligible to apply as a consultant for the summer 2009 consulting trip.

Prospective applicants who are non-undergraduate students of University of Pennsylvania or working professionals not affiliated with the University may contact the PIBV Executive Board at pibv.applications@gmail.com, regarding Trip Mentor positions available for the consulting projects.

Please submit your application through our online form by Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 11:59 PM.

Please apply twice. Apply the first time for the Tanzania Off-site Project by February 25, 2009. Apply the second time for all other trips by March 4, 2009. If you have questions or concerns regarding this, please feel free to contact us at pibv.applications@gmail.com.

Please note that the application process for the Tanzania OFF-SITE project has closed. You may only apply for the Tanzania ON-SITE component at this time.

As project leader for the summer trip, you are expected to handle any remaining pre-trip logistics before departure to the foreign country. This includes making sure each trip member has the appropriate documentation, serving as the main contact person between the team and the partner NGO, and setting up timelines and final deliverables of the project. The project leader will also be responsible for coordinating meetings with the team and mentor. Finally, the project leader is expected to coordinate documentation of the trip via a case study and follow-up with the NGO and trip members.

This is an exciting leadership opportunity that allows you to work more closely with the NGO and the PIBV executive board to gain greater exposure to the trip and project planning process.

Furthermore, the project leader is the official record-keeper for the trip, keeping daily, detailed records of the work that is done, the events attended, and the people met. These records will be used by PIBV in trip evaluation, documentation, and assessment.

Costs vary by trip and are stated in the project descriptions that follow. Please keep in mind that the given costs associated with each trip are estimates only; airline ticket prices are extremely volatile, and cost of room and board might vary, depending on the individual project.

This is an exciting leadership opportunity that allows you to work more closely with the NGO and the PIBV executive board to gain greater exposure to the trip and project planning process.

While dues-paying PIBV members are eligible for reimbursements to offset the costs of the trip, every applicant should be prepared to cover the full expenses associated with each project. The amount of reimbursement varies yearly and is subject to fluctuations in sponsorship from corporations, the University, and other fundraising campaigns.

The PIBV Executive Board is committed to decreasing any cost-associated barriers that would hold students back from participating in a project. As such, the PIBV Fundraising and External Relations Committee maintain a database of grants and funding opportunitiesavailable from the University and other foundations; we will direct you to any resources available that will make this trip more financially enjoyable.

You may find our database of grants and funding opportunities here or please direct your attention to "Grants & Funding" on the left-hand sidebar.

After you have been selected for a summer project, a deposit of $300 is required to secure your spot on the trip. The deposit must be a check or money order payable to “Penn International Business Volunteers”. Cash will not be accepted. Your deposit will be refunded to you to in full about unless you withdraw from the trip after the withdrawal deadline. If you withdraw after the deadline, you will NOT be refunded your deposit.

Once you are selected as a project participant, you are expected to meet with your project team to begin initial preparations for the on-site consulting project. You are expected to attend the following:

• A PIBV orientation session and project-kickoff event, tentatively scheduled for March 18, 2009. This kick-off event is a mandatory event and participation is imperative.
• Regular meetings with a professional consultant or professor who will act as a mentor.
• One of three skill-building workshops held late March to early April
• A cultural immersion event during the week of March 22 to develop background knowledge about the country you are travelling to, as well as practical safety and emergency tips.

Please feel free to e-mail pibv.applications@gmail.com. However, if you have a question specific to a committee, please email any members of the Executive Board of PIBV under Contact Us. We are happy to answer any remaining questions you have regarding the trip application, the summer consulting trips, or PIBV in general.