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. Global UGRAD is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State, and aims to recruit participants from underrepresented 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 twenty hours of community service. There will also be a virtual arrival orientation and an in-person end-of-program workshop.

Eligibility for the Global UGRAD Program:

1. Applicants must be a citizen of the country in which they apply for the Global UGRAD Program
2. Applicants must be studying in the country in which they apply for the Global UGRAD Program
3. Scholarships will be granted to students who currently are enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs only, having completed a minimum of their first semester of study. Participants must have at least one semester or an equivalent term to complete at their home institutions upon completion of the Global UGRAD Program
4. Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities
5. Applicants must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 45ibt
6. Preference will be given to those who have had little or NO experience in the U.S. or outside of their home countries
7. Applicants are required to return directly to their home country after the completion of the program.
8. Applicants are over 18 years of age.

Application Package:

A full and complete Global UGRAD student application package includes the following documents: completed online application form, copy of passport bio page, academic transcripts for years of university study (with English translations), two letters of reference (with English translations), and grade equivalence between local grading system and U.S. grading system.

Note: Applicants should request their academic transcripts and letters of recommendation as soon as possible, as they will not be able to add additional information after the February 28 application closing. The applicants can provide English translations of their updated transcripts once they have been selected as a finalist or alternate.

The Global UGRAD Program application will be available online here Global UGRAD online applicationfrom January 4 and close March 15, 2021.

Individuals in the following circumstances are not eligible for the Global UGRAD Program:

1. U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States
2. Individuals currently studying, residing, or working outside of their home country
3. Local employees of the U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); employees are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment
4. Immediate family members (i.e. spouses and children) of U.S. Department of State and USAID employees; family members are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment
5. Current World Learning employees and their immediate family members

More information is available at the Global UGRAD website and Global UGRAD Facebook page If you have any questions about Global UGRAD recruitment, write to [email protected]