If you are a university graduate passionate about women’s empowerment, social change, leadership development, and cross-cultural learning, the Harpswell Leadership Residency Program 2027 in Cambodia could be an excellent opportunity to gain meaningful international experience while supporting the next generation of Cambodian women leaders.
The Harpswell Leadership Residency is a professional volunteer residency based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Selected Leadership Residents live and work alongside Cambodian Women’s Leadership students and alumnae. During the four-to-eight-month residency, participants teach, mentor, facilitate discussions, support students, and take part in cultural activities.
The program provides an immersive environment where international women can develop their professional skills while contributing to a community focused on education, leadership, and women's empowerment.
The Harpswell Leadership Residency Program is a professional development and volunteer opportunity operated by Harpswell at its leadership centers in Phnom Penh. The program brings international women together with Cambodian students and alumnae who are developing their leadership abilities and preparing to make positive contributions to their communities.
Leadership Residents become part of the wider Harpswell sisterhood and alumnae network. Rather than simply volunteering for a short period, residents become closely involved in the daily life of the leadership centers.
Residents are expected to support students academically and personally while contributing their own knowledge, professional experience, and ideas. The experience is particularly valuable for people interested in education, leadership, social impact, women's empowerment, international development, and cross-cultural work.
The residency normally lasts four to eight months, allowing participants enough time to establish relationships, understand the local environment, contribute to ongoing activities, and develop their own professional interests.
Leadership Residents have several responsibilities throughout their residency. The role combines teaching, mentoring, community engagement, and professional development.
Residents may teach Harpswell's Core Curriculum, facilitate critical-thinking discussions, tutor students in English, and hold regular office hours.
They also support students as they develop leadership and communication skills.
Another important part of the role is building genuine relationships with students and alumnae. Residents are encouraged to become active members of the Harpswell community and contribute to a supportive environment where students can exchange ideas and gain confidence.
Residents may also help organize cultural activities and participate in events outside the leadership centers. These experiences provide opportunities to learn about Cambodia while sharing aspects of their own cultures with the Harpswell community.
The position may involve evening and weekend activities, so applicants should be prepared for a schedule that is different from a traditional nine-to-five position.
One of the major attractions of the Harpswell Leadership Residency 2027 is the support provided to selected participants. According to the program information provided, the benefits include financial support, accommodation, insurance, cultural experiences, and professional development.
Leadership Residents receive a monthly stipend of $330 USD, while Leadership Resident Fellows receive $420 USD per month.
This stipend provides financial support during the residency while participants focus on their responsibilities and professional development.
The program provides full room and board at Harpswell's leadership centers in Phnom Penh. This includes daily Khmer meals, allowing residents to experience Cambodian food and culture as part of their everyday life.
Having accommodation and meals provided can significantly reduce the cost of participating in an international volunteer residency.
Participants receive travel insurance for the duration of the four-to-eight-month residency. This provides an additional level of support while residents are living and working in Cambodia.
Applicants should review the official program information carefully to understand the exact coverage provided.
The program also provides opportunities for program-sponsored provincial homestays with Cambodian students' families.
A homestay can offer a deeper cultural experience than simply visiting tourist destinations. Residents can spend time with local families, learn more about Cambodian traditions and daily life, and develop stronger relationships with members of the Harpswell community.
The residency is designed to provide practical professional experience. Residents can improve their teaching, communication, leadership, mentoring, organizational, and intercultural skills.
For applicants considering careers in education, international development, nonprofit organizations, social impact, or women's empowerment, the experience can provide valuable exposure to community-based work.
Residents have opportunities to experience Khmer culture, participate in traditional celebrations, and take part in cultural activities outside the leadership centers.
This makes the program more than a professional placement. It is also an opportunity for participants to learn from Cambodian communities and develop a deeper understanding of another culture.
The program is aimed at international women who are interested in contributing to social change and women's leadership.
To be considered, applicants should generally meet the following requirements:
Meeting the basic requirements is important, but applicants should also demonstrate why they are personally suited to the residency. Strong candidates should be able to show how their academic background, professional experience, volunteer work, leadership activities, or community involvement connects with Harpswell's mission.
The Harpswell Leadership Residency requires a commitment of approximately four to eight months.
to the provided program information, residency terms begin during two general periods: May–August or November–February. The application information also references January 2027 and May 2027 cohorts.
Applicants should carefully check the official application information for the cohort they wish to join because start dates, availability, and application requirements may change.
The application process is completed online through the application form linked by Harpswell.
Visit Harpswell's official Leadership Residents page and use the application link provided there.
Applicants may need to sign in using a Google account before completing the application. You will be asked to provide basic personal and educational information.
Choose the residency period that best matches your availability. Make sure you can commit to the full required residency period.
The application asks candidates to explain their motivations, expectations, experience, and skills. Use this section to clearly demonstrate why you want to join Harpswell and how your background connects with the program.
Avoid generic statements. Instead, explain the experiences that have shaped your interest in leadership, education, women's empowerment, social change, or cross-cultural engagement.
Applicants should prepare the documents requested in the application form. Supplementary information indicates that materials may include a CV and passport, along with other information requested by the application.
Applicants should always follow the current official form because document requirements can change.
The application requires candidates to provide two references. Choose people who can provide meaningful information about your character, professional abilities, leadership potential, academic experience, or community involvement.
Review every section carefully before submitting the completed application through the provided application link.Apply through the official Harpswell website
The information provided for the January 2027 and May 2027 cohorts states an application deadline of September 18, 2026.
Because deadlines and cohort information can change, applicants should verify the current deadline directly through Harpswell before submitting their application.
Do not wait until the final day. Preparing your CV, references, application responses, and supporting documents early can help you submit a stronger and more carefully reviewed application.
A strong application should demonstrate more than academic qualifications. Harpswell is looking for people who can contribute to its community and engage respectfully with Cambodian students and alumnae.
Start by researching Harpswell and understanding its focus on women's leadership. Then identify specific examples from your education, work, volunteering, teaching, or community involvement that demonstrate your leadership and commitment to social impact.
Your motivation statement should also explain what you hope to learn during the residency. Think about the professional skills you want to develop and how the experience fits into your longer-term goals.
Strong communication skills are particularly important because residents teach, facilitate discussions, tutor English, and interact closely with students.
It is a four-to-eight-month professional volunteer residency in Phnom Penh where international women support, mentor, teach, and live alongside Cambodian Women’s Leadership students and alumnae.
The program is operated by Harpswell, through its leadership centers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The program information describes the opportunity as fully funded and lists a monthly stipend, room and board, travel insurance, and other support. Applicants should confirm the latest benefit details in the official application materials.
The listed stipend is $330 USD per month for Leadership Residents and $420 USD per month for Leadership Resident Fellows.
Participants commit to a residency lasting between four and eight months.
International women who are university graduates and demonstrate an interest in social change, women's empowerment, cross-cultural learning, and leadership development are encouraged to apply, provided they meet the program's other requirements.
Teaching experience is listed as a plus. Applicants must have strong spoken and written English skills and should be comfortable teaching, mentoring, tutoring, and facilitating discussions.
Yes. Residents can participate in cultural activities, celebrate traditional holidays, and may have opportunities for provincial homestays with Cambodian students' families.