The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. It provides opportunities for undergraduate students to spend one semester of full-time non-degree study at an accredited university in the United States. Students must have at least one term remaining at their home institutions upon completion of the program. Participants are selected through an open, merit-based competition. Applications are accepted in all fields of study, but applicants in medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacology or other clinical fields of study should be 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.
The program will start in the fall of 2023, and conclude in the spring of 2024.The Global UGRAD Program is a non-degree program, and does not assist with credit transfers between participants’ host and home institutions.
All participants will:
- Attend classes full-time during their academic program;
- 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;
- Perform a minimum of 20 hours of community service in their host city; and
- Complete a professional development component during their program.
Students in their first year at the time of application will live with host families or in dormitories and will be enrolled in two-year community colleges. All other students will live in dormitories at four-year colleges and universities.
Participants must be at least 18 years of age by the start date of their program in the United States.
The fellowship is fully funded and provides:
- J-1 visa support;
- Round-trip travel from participant’s home city to host institution in the United States;
- Accident and sickness coverage;
- Tuition and mandatory university fees;
- Housing and meals;
- Small incidentals allowance;
- Limited allowance for books; and
- A wide variety of alumni networking and training opportunities.
A complete application package includes:
- Completed application form
- Copy of passport bio page
- Academic transcripts for years of university study
- Two letters of reference (with English translations)
Application deadline: December 15, 2022
Additional information is available by sending a request to AshgabatEducation@state.gov or at www.worldlearning.org/ugrad.
Applications for information only are available here:
- Step-by-Step Global UGRAD Application Instructions (PDF 774 KB)
- Read-Only Application Form (PDF 528 KB)
- Recommendation Form 1 (PDF 401 KB)
- Recommendation Form 2 (PDF 398 KB)
Please apply online only at www.worldlearning.org/ugrad.
