Program Overview

Academic program

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia and Central Asia (Global UGRAD), a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State, provides opportunities for undergraduate students from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan for one year of full-time, non-degree study in the United States. First-year students will attend two-year community colleges and live in campus housing (dormitories) or with American host families. All other students will attend four-year universities and colleges and will live in campus housing (dormitories). Fellows may not choose their U.S. host university/college or community college. 
  
Below are some of the possible fields of study for Global UGRAD.  Other fields will also be considered.  

• Accounting
• Agriculture
• Anthropology
• Biology
• Business
• Chemistry
• Computer science
• Criminal justice
• Economics
• Education
• Engineering
• Environmental management
• Geology
• Hospitality management
• International relations
• Journalism
• Law
• Mass Communications
• Physics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Urban planning
• U.S. studies 

Professional training

Community Service: To expose fellows to the principles of community service and social responsibility in the United States, Global UGRAD fellows will be required to perform a minimum of 20 hours of community service to local organizations during their first semester.

Part-Time Internship: Internships provide an essential opportunity for fellows to gain professional experience and skills that can be applied in their future careers in their home countries. Global UGRAD fellows on a full academic year scholarship will be required to intern 40 hours per month during their second semester.  Each fellow’s internship must be related to their field of study. Fellows may secure paid internships but most internships will be unpaid.

Technical eligibility requirements

Candidates will be considered without respect to race, color, religion, national origin, or gender. Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Competition for the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program is merit-based and open to anyone who:

• Is a citizen, national or permanent resident qualified to hold a valid passport issued by the country of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, or Uzbekistan;
• Is currently residing in one of the following eligible countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, or Uzbekistan;
• Is enrolled as a first-, second-, third, or fourth-year full-time undergraduate student at the time of application at a registered academic institution in one of the 12 eligible countries and in good academic standing. All students (including 4th year students) must return to their home academic institution for a minimum of one full term (semester or year) following the end of the Global UGRAD program. Correspondence students in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are also eligible to apply;
• Is between the ages of 18-24 years old at the time of travel to the United States (August-September 2012);
• Submits a complete original application and two copies with all required documents by the application deadline;
• Is able to begin the academic exchange program in the United States in the fall of 2012;
• Is able to receive and maintain a U.S. J-1 visa;
• Is physically able to complete the program in its entirety;
• Is committed to returning to their home country after completion of the program;
• Is proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application.

Individuals in the following circumstances are NOT eligible for the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program:

• U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States;
• Individuals currently participating in academic, training, or research programs in the United States;
• Individuals currently studying, residing, or working outside the 12 eligible countries;
• Individuals who have participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored or funded by the U.S. government for a period of more than six weeks and who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by the time of application;
• Individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years;
• 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.
• Persons arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a crime (excluding minor traffic violations).

The U.S. Department of State reserves the right to verify all of the information included in the application. In the event that there is a discrepancy, or information is found to be false, the application will immediately be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.

Under the terms of the grant and the laws governing the J-1 visa required for participation in the Global UGRAD Program, fellows must return to their home country immediately upon completion of the program for a period of at least two years. Fellows are not eligible for visa extensions under any circumstances. No exceptions will be made.

Applications not meeting the above technical eligibility requirements will not be forwarded to the selection committee.

Financial provisions of the grant

• J-1 visa support;
• Round-trip travel from fellow’s home city to host institution in the United States;
• Accident and sickness coverage;
• Tuition and mandatory university fees;
• Room and board (housing and meals);
• Small incidentals allowance;
• Limited allowance for books;
• A wide variety of alumni networking and training opportunities.

Submission guidelines

Application Deadline: 5:00 PM, Thursday, December 22, 2011.

Applications for the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program can be obtained from and submitted to ugradbelarus@yahoo.com.