Deadline: 28-Feb-21
The United States Embassy in Georgia is pleased to announce the competition for the 2021-22 Global Undergraduate Exchange (Global UGRAD) Program. Global UGRAD is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and administered by World Learning on behalf of ECA.
This international educational and cultural exchange program brings future leaders to the United States to experience the U.S. educational system, enhance their knowledge, and explore U.S. culture and values. It also affords students the opportunity to share their cultures and traditions with people in the United States.
In 2021-22, Global UGRAD will provide one-semester scholarships to approximately 250 undergraduate students representing all world regions to study at U.S. colleges and universities. The program includes pre-academic English language training, academic coursework, service-learning opportunities, professional development workshops, and cultural enrichment activities.
The scholarship will cover international travel, tuition, room and board, accident/sickness insurance, a small monthly stipend, and funding for books. Global UGRAD is a substantive exchange program designed to expose students to the U.S. educational system, society, and culture. Finalists represent diverse disciplines, from architecture to engineering, biochemistry to literature and education. A small number of students will also receive additional English language training in the U.S. prior to the start of their academic program.
Program Design
- Global UGRAD participants will be enrolled in undergraduate coursework at a U.S. college or university to allow ample opportunity for substantive interaction with U.S. faculty and student peers, and for exposure to U.S. academic and classroom culture. Global UGRAD participants will live on-campus with U.S. peers. The program will include a pre-departure orientation at U.S. Embassy Tbilisi, a virtual arrival orientation, and an in-person end-of-program workshop in Washington, DC.
- Students may indicate a preference for a fall or spring semester placement, but final placement will be made by the implementing organization in conjunction with ECA.
- The Global UGRAD Program is a non-degree program. The Global UGRAD Program does not assist with credit transfers between participants’ host and home institutions. Any credit transfers are the sole responsibility of the participants. Please note that the implementing organization cannot guarantee the availability of specific courses to students.
- Students are required to participate in a minimum of twenty hours of community service activities during the program. Students are required to enroll in at least two courses in their major and at least one course in a U.S. Studies field, such as U.S. history, literature, art, or government.
Eligible Fields
- All academic fields of study are eligible.
- Per J-1 visa regulations, interested applicants in medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacology or other clinical fields of study should be made aware that direct patient care, including animal care, is not permitted, and therefore academic coursework and/or program activities at participating U.S. institutions may be limited.
Eligibility Criteria
- Participants must:
- be at least 18 years of age by the start date of their Global UGRAD Program in the United States;
- be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in their home country;
- have completed their first year of undergraduate study prior to starting their Global UGRAD Program;
- must have at least one semester or an equivalent term remaining that they will complete at their home institutions upon return after the Global UGRAD Program.
- The Global UGRAD program cannot be the final academic term of a student’s undergraduate study.
For more information, visit https://ge.usembassy.gov/education-culture/exchange-programs/global-undergraduate-exchange-program-ugrad-for-undergrads/