Deadline: 6-Jan-22
The U.S. Embassy in Minsk is pleased to announce the open competition for the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) to provide 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 US society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as opportunities to enhance their professional skills.
Program Design
- All participants will be enrolled in full-time, non-degree, undergraduate coursework 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. Host institutions will offer instruction on topics including academic research and writing, critical thinking, time management, note-taking, and studying for and taking tests. Participants will live on-campus with U.S. peers or homestays with American families.
- Participants cannot choose their host institution and will be placed at the most appropriate college or university based on their academic interests. Students who are not enrolled in preACADEMIC English may indicate a preference for a fall or spring semester, but final placement will be made by the organizers.
- All academic fields of study are eligible.
Benefits
The program is fully sponsored by the US government, and includes:
- international travel from home city to US host university,
- tuition at US universities and living expenses,
- pre-departure orientation,
- virtual arrival orientation,
- in-person in day-of-program workshop.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates should be highly motivated and demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. They must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in Belarus and have at least one semester to complete at their home institutions upon completion of the Global UGRAD Program. The UGRAD program cannot be the final academic term of a student’s undergraduate study.
- The Global UGRAD Program is merit-based and is open to anyone who fits the eligibility criteria:
- a citizen of Belarus, who is currently residing and studying in Belarus;
- at least 18 years of age at the start of the UGRAD Program in the United States;
- enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in good standing at any university, public or private and having completed a minimum of their first semester of study;
- have at least one semester or an equivalent term to complete at their home institutions upon completion of the Global UGRAD Program.
- has a solid command of written and spoken English;
- able to begin studies in the United States in the fall of 2022 or in January 2023;
- eligible to receive and maintain US student exchange visa (J-1) required for the program;
- cleared by a physician to participate in the program;
- have little or no prior experience in the US or elsewhere outside of their home countries;
- must be able to achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 48iBT.
- be committed to returning to his or her home country after the completion of the program.
Note
For more information, visit https://by.usembassy.gov/global-ugrad-program-2022-2023/