If you cannot afford to pay for your US tuition, you have a great opportunity to apply to participate in the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD).
About Global UGRAD
The Global Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) in America is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State. It is a fully-funded scholarship for a semester of uncredited academic research at a specific American college or university.
Members are young leaders committed to their communities. During the program, participants in the Global UGRAD Program aim to explore the community, culture, and academic education in the United States. Moreover, they improve their professional skills and participate in community service.
Purpose of the program:
- Increase mutual understanding between the people of the USA and other countries;
- Provide the exchange of academic, cultural, and administrative experience between students from UGRAD countries;
- To enhance the academic knowledge and professional skills required to achieve career goals;
- Comprehensive understanding and interaction with US students;
- To provide an opportunity for students to connect with institutions and society in the United States;
- Motivate students to take an active role in local and global societies.
The program provides full funding and offers:
- Support in obtaining an American J-1 visa;
- Travel fare from hometown to the host university in the United States and back;
- Compensation of medical expenses due to illness or accident;
- Tuition fees in the United States;
- Costs for accommodation and meals in the USA;
- Monthly scholarship;
- Funds for the purchase of educational literature;
- Ample opportunities for professional growth for graduates of the program.
Requirements for participation in the UGRAD program
- To apply to participate in the global UGRAD program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must be citizens of the country in which they apply to participate in the UGRAD Global Program;
- Applicants must study in the country in which they apply to participate in the UGRAD Global Program;
- Scholarships will be awarded to students who are currently only enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs after completing at least their first semester of study. Participants must have at least one semester or an equivalent time limit to complete in their educational institutions upon completion of the UGRAD Global Program;
- Applicants must demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community participation, and extracurricular activities;
- Applicants must get a minimum TOEFL score (45 for IBT);
- Preference will be given to those who have little or no work experience in the United States or outside their countries;
- Applicants must return to their home country upon completion of the program;
- Applicants over 18 years of age.
Registration for the program
Registration for the program begins approximately in November, the results are announced in May-June. To be among the finalists, you need to successfully pass 3 important stages:
- Submission of the application
At this stage, you will need to write an essay and provide recommendations from teachers. This stage is very important because, at this stage, the main idea of the participants is formed.
The essay is the first acquaintance of the organizers with the candidates. The essay is necessary not only so that the participant can show how strongly he/she is motivated to participate in this program, but it also shows the personality of the applicant, the depth of his/her thoughts, personal views, and differences from other applicants.
- Pass the English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
It is necessary even if you have ever passed this exam. It is also obligatory even if studying in your university is in English.
- Pass an interview with the expert committee.
The semi-final is a cross between university entrance and employment. Judges want to see how strong the motivation of candidates is, whether the participants are capable of solving conflict and stressful situations. For example, possible conflicts with a roommate or the prospect of spending a long time in a foreign country away from family and friends and, most importantly, the potential of the applicants, what they can take out of this program, and what they can bring to it.
What the program gives
- First, it is a unique experience of intercultural and intellectual exchange. During the stay in the United States, program participants get acquainted with the life of American society, the culture of the country, participate in volunteer projects, and discover the peculiarities of studying in America. This is a great opportunity to see how the education system in the United States works, as well as to experience the differences between the education system at home and in the United States. The program aims to provide participants with the necessary knowledge and professional skills so that they can further contribute to the development of their specialization. Students from different countries take part in Global UGRAD, so this is a chance to get rid of far-fetched stereotypes. But the main thing is to meet, exchange experience and knowledge with gifted people from all over the world.
- Secondly, the program is almost entirely funded by the host party, and unlike, for example, Work & Travel does not bear any risks of losing the invested funds.
- Thirdly, an internship abroad makes a resume more attractive for employers, especially taking into account the qualities that are necessary to participate in Global UGRAD.