Overview

The US-ASEAN Business Council is the premier advocacy organization for U.S. corporations operating within the dynamic Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), serving as the leading voice of the U.S. private sector in promoting mutually beneficial trade and investment relationships between the United States and Southeast Asia. The Council is the only U.S.-based organization recognized in the ASEAN charter as a supporting organization of ASEAN. The Council's members include more than 180 of the most successful and innovative corporations in the world, including Apple, Boeing, Citi, The Coca-Cola Company, Google, and Microsoft. Combined, these 180+ companies generate over $9 trillion in revenue and employ more than 13 million people worldwide.

Cradled between China, India and Australia, ASEAN is the third-largest economy in the Indo-Pacific and the fifth largest in the world with a GDP of $2.8 trillion and a population of 650 million. As a critical hub for global trade, more than $3.4 trillion in global trade transits through ASEAN each year. In 2019, ASEAN became the 4th largest goods export market for the U.S. after Canada, Mexico, and China, reaching over $105 billion in exports in goods and services. It has also attracted more U.S. investment than any other destination in the whole of Indo-Pacific, receiving almost $329 billion in investment, more than the United States has directed to China, India, Japan, and South Korea combined. 

Fellowship Duties and Learning Outcomes

The USABC Myanmar Agricultural Fellowship is meant to provide hands-on experience in the field of U.S. – ASEAN business relations with a specific focus on the Myanmar market as well as the Food & Agriculture sector at a regional level. Throughout the fellowship, students will collaborate directly with these two critical teams, undertaking highly substantive work, including research, program support and attendance, and various other tasks in support of our members. Fellows will be required to work at least 30 hours per week and must be based in the Washington, DC area.

Myanmar Agricultural Fellowship Duties:

The Myanmar Agricultural Fellowship Program offers students the opportunity to work directly with the Myanmar and Food & Agriculture Teams by providing world-class and forward-looking research to the Council's 180+ members. Specific responsibilities will include:

• Research current national and regional economic policy issues in ASEAN affecting the private sector, with a focus on Myanmar.

• Develop a capstone research project, providing business analysis on Myanmar’s food & agriculture sector.

• Draft short and long-form analysis to provide regular updates for the Myanmar and Food & Agriculture Teams.

• Research U.S. private sector activities in ASEAN.

• Assist in the organization of events with senior government officials and private sector executives.

• Attend events with visiting delegations.

• Attend briefings and drafting memos on Council-related topics at institutions around D.C.

Fellowship Stipend

Fellows will receive a $10,000 stipend and transportation benefits.

Qualifications

The Council is looking for highly motivated candidates who are undergraduates, recent graduates or graduate students with a strong demonstrable interest in Southeast Asia or trade policy. We are seeking individuals with strong written and organizational skills, as well as well-honed research abilities.

• Currently pursuing, or have recently completed, an undergraduate or graduate-level program in U.S. with a focus on food and agriculture policy. Undergraduate applicants must be at least a rising junior or senior.

• Must be a Burmese citizen with ability to work legally in the United States (i.e., OPT/CPT authorization, U.S. Permanent Resident, Qualifying Asylee/Refugee).

• Excellent academic record with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

• Strong research and writing skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to commit a minimum of 30 hours per week.

• Based in the Washington, DC area for the duration of the fellowship.

Application Procedures, Deadlines and Fellowship Period

To apply to the Council’s fellowship program, please submit a cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample (no more than two pages each). The cover letter should include information about your availability and a brief description of your academic and professional goals.

Deadline: Rolling

Priority Deadline: March 31, 2025

Term: May – August 2025

Any questions should also be addressed to internships@usasean.org.