The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) provides a diverse group of emerging student leaders with a scholarship for one semester of non-degree academic study at a U.S. college or university. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and aims to recruit participants from underrepresented, non-elite backgrounds, who have not had other opportunities to study in the United States. Successful applicants can expect an in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as opportunities to enhance their professional skills.
All participants will be enrolled in full-time, non-degree, undergraduate course work chosen from their host institution’s existing curriculum. Participants will be required to take one, 3-credit U.S. studies course to enhance their understanding of the United States. Participants will live in campus housing facilities with American peers and will be required to participate in 20 hours of community service. There will also be a virtual arrival orientation and an in-person end-of-program workshop.
Course level: Undergraduate student exchange
Field of study: Full-time, non-degree, undergraduate course work chosen from their host institution’s existing curriculum, plus one, 3-credit US studies course
Scholarship period: One semester
Institution and country: Participating US colleges and universities
Sponsor: US Government
Scholarship inclusions: All participation costs related to the student exchange program
Eligibility criteria for the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program:
- Nationality. Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Bank and Gaza, Zimbabwe;
- Age. Must be over 18 years of age;
- Completed at least one semester of undergraduate study prior to applying for the Global UGRAD Program;
- Enrolled as an undergraduate in good standing at any accredited university, public or private, and has at least one semester remaining at their home university at the conclusion of the UGRAD program;
- Not tagged as a “graduating student” of his/her university. The Global UGRAD program cannot be the final academic term of a student’s undergraduate study;
- A solid command of written and spoken English (English Language training for some finalists is possible);
- Able to begin studies in the United States in August 2020 or January 2021 (selected participants may not defer to a later date);
- Eligible to receive and maintain the U.S. student exchange visa (J-1) required for the program;
- Committed to returning to their home country after the completion of the program.
Note: Individuals holding dual citizenship, are permanent residents of the U.S., and/or are presently studying in the U.S. are NOT eligible.
Application deadline: December every year. More information will be available from the US Embassy in your country.
How to apply:
A complete application consists of the following:
- Completed application form available through the online application portal
- Personal statement and responses to essay questions (part of the online application)
- Copy of biographic & signature pages of your passport, if available
- Official transcripts for years of university study (with English translations); please provide grade equivalences used by your university
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from teachers/professors: first, second
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report, if available
Applications must be submitted through World Learning’s online application portal.
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