The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (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. Global UGRAD is administered by World Learning on behalf of ECA.

Global UGRAD will provide three Azerbaijani finalists with scholarships for one academic semester of undergraduate, non-degree study in the United States. 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. Students will live in university dormitories and will have the opportunity to participate in campus organizations and activities. All students are required to participate in volunteer community service activities and are encouraged to participate in professional development activities as part of the Global UGRAD Program. Exposure to U.S. civil society, as well as the cultural and ethnic diversity of the United States, gives the participants a strong example of tolerance in a democratic society.

Since 2008, World Learning has placed and monitored over 1,800 Global UGRAD students at over 75 colleges and universities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and women’s colleges. Participants leave the United States with the tools to become leaders in their professions and communities. Global UGRAD alumni go on to receive Fulbright grants, obtain prestigious international internships, and work in business and government in their home countries.

PROGRAM GOAL
To promote mutual understanding between people of the United States and other countries.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Provide a fulfilling exchange experience to drive academic, cross-cultural, and leadership competencies for students from Global UGRAD countries.

Enhance students’ academic knowledge and professional skills needed to pursue long-term academic and career goals.

Cultivate students’ comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the United States.

Facilitate opportunities for students to establish social networks with U.S. host institutions and local communities.

Empower students to engage constructively in the civic life of their local and global communities.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The U.S. Department of State and World Learning are pleased to announce the open competition for the Global UGRAD Program for undergraduates for the 2016-2017 program. Participants will be selected for academic excellence, leadership potential, proficiency in written and spoken English, and flexibility to be an exchange student.

The Global UGRAD scholarship provides one academic semester of undergraduate, non-degree study in the United States in all fields except medicine, law, or other faculties only offered at the graduate level in the U.S. If you have a question about your faculty, please contact World Learning.

In addition to coursework in their fields of study, U.S. studies, and electives, Global UGRAD students engage in several non-academic activities including:

• Pre-Departure Orientation: Global UGRAD students must attend a pre-departure orientation (PDO) prior to departing for the United States. All parts of the PDO must be attended in their entirety.
• Community Service: Global UGRAD students engage with their U.S. communities through the completion of required community service.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
Global UGRAD is open to all academic fields of study and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, or disability. Competition for the program is highly competitive and merit based. Finalists will be selected on the basis of academic excellence, leadership potential, and their preparedness for study in the United States.

The Global UGRAD Program is open to anyone who is/has:

• over 18 years of age;
• a citizen of a UGRAD participating country, currently residing in that country;
• enrolled as an undergraduate in good standing at any accredited university, public or private, and has at least one semester remaining at their home university at the conclusion of the UGRAD program;
• completed secondary education in their home country;
• a solid command of written and spoken English (English Language training for some finalists is possible);
• able to begin studies in the United States in August 2016 or January 2017 (selected participants may not defer to a later date);
• eligible to receive and maintain the US student exchange visa (J-1) required for the program;
• cleared by a physician to participate in the program;
• committed to returning to their home country after the completion of the program.

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

• U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States;
• Individuals currently studying, residing, or working outside of their home country;
• 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;
• 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;
• Current World Learning employees and their immediate family members

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To apply for the Global UGRAD program, please complete the

online application

Download application instructions here 

Deadline: 1 January, 2016

• UGRAD Website
• UGRAD Facebook Page

Applications are expected to represent the original thought and individual work of the applicant. Plagiarism, representing another author’s language thoughts ideas or expressions as your original work without proper acknowledgment, is unacceptable. Any instance of plagiarism in a student application or essay is grounds for immediate disqualification from consideration for the program.
SELECTION PROCESS
Competition for the Global UGRAD Program is open and merit-based. Selection committees will review all eligible applications and invite semi-finalists for interviews.Students may be required to complete preliminary English language proficiency testing in the absence of an existing TOEFL score report. Upon receipt of applications, test scores, and interview reports, final selection will be made by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in Washington, D.C.

Finalists and alternates who do not have a valid TOEFL score will be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A limited number of finalists will be eligible for intensive English language training before beginning their academic programs in the US.

All finalists must also complete a medical exam and receive required immunizations prior to beginning the program. Participation in this program is contingent upon the availability of funding.

For more information please contact the U.S. Embassy:
Address: 111, Azadlig street, Baku Azerbaijan
Phone: 4883300, ext 3555
Email:  bakuEducation@state.gov

• http://azerbaijan.usembassy.gov/edu2/ugrad.html