Young Life Africa & the Middle East
International Expeditions Fellowship
A 9-Month Remote Program for College Students
A hands-on introduction to leadership, marketing, development, and operations within a global non-profit. Fellows work alongside the Young Life Africa Development Team for nine months, develop professional skills, and conclude the program by joining one of our summer expeditions to Africa as part of the trip support team.
Once you apply, a member of our team will contact you to schedule a brief interview.
The Program
Become part of our team
Fellows are integrated into the Young Life Africa Development Team and carry meaningful responsibility across our development and expeditions work — donor care, communications, events, and trip logistics — gaining a comprehensive understanding of how international ministry operates.
- Regular 1:1 coaching with an assigned team leader
- Young Life Africa team calls and operational check-ins
- Structured fundraising training from our development staff
- A monthly cohort call with guest speakers from across Young Life
Areas of Focus
Each fellow is placed in one or two of the following areas rather than all of them. Placement takes into account your preferences, skill set, and field of study.
Social Media & Content
Manage our platforms and create graphics, reels, and carousels from past expedition media.
Communications & Marketing
Draft content for the monthly Habari Gani, assemble quarterly newsletters, and design trip flyers and proposals in Canva.
Donor Care & Development
Support our Development Directors with donor stewardship, communication, and appreciation initiatives.
Event Planning & Execution
Help plan, coordinate, and host Young Life Africa events and gatherings.
Trip Logistics & Onboarding
Manage interest form responses, track travel documents and consent forms, and support pre-trip preparation for expedition participants.
Fundraising Component
Learning to raise support
Fundraising is a core competency in non-profit work and in development specifically. As a required part of the fellowship, each fellow is given a $6,000 fundraising goal and is coached through it with structured training from our development staff.
Through the process, fellows learn donor stewardship, individual fundraising strategy, and how to share a cause and invite others to give — the same skills our team uses every day. We work alongside you throughout the program to help you reach the goal.
At the conclusion of the fellowship, fellows join one of our summer expeditions to Africa as a member of the trip support team.
Monthly Cohort Calls
A view of the broader ministry
Each month the fellowship cohort meets on Zoom with a guest speaker from a different area of Young Life’s international ministry. These sessions give fellows a broader understanding of the organization and direct access to the leaders guiding its work.
Topics include
History & leadership of Young Life Africa
Women’s Leadership Accelerator
Young Lives
Developing Global Leaders (DGL)
Beyond Adventures
The Middle East
Communications
Alumni & community network
Catholic relations
Prayer & spiritual development
Who It’s For
College students ready for a high-impact year of ministry and non-profit experience. No specific major required.
What You Gain
Professional ministry experience, non-profit development skills, ongoing mentorship, a network of peers across Young Life, and a summer expedition to Africa.
Eligible for university course credit.
What We Ask
5–10 hours per week for the full nine months, participation in coaching and cohort calls, and completion of the $6,000 fundraising component.
Applications
Applications are now open
The 2027 cohort runs January through August. Applications are due by October 31st. Once you apply, a member of our team will contact you to schedule a brief interview.
For questions, contact Hadley Carmichael at (864) 345-3258 or hcarmichael@younglife.org.
Application
Program Term: January – August 2027
Commitment: 5–10 hours per week, remote
Application Deadline: October 31st, 2026
Once you apply, a member of our team will contact you to schedule a brief interview.
Questions? Hadley Carmichael · (864) 345-3258 · hcarmichael@younglife.org
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