The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) provides a one-semester, non-degree scholarship for academic study at a U.S. college or university to young, diverse students with leadership potential. Global UGRAD is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and is designed to recruit participants from underrepresented backgrounds who would not otherwise have had the opportunity to study in the United States. Successful applicants will gain exposure to U.S. society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as opportunities to enhance their professional skills. The program is highly competitive and merit-based. Finalists will be selected based on academic achievement, leadership potential, and readiness to study in the United States.
All participants will enroll in full-time bachelor’s-level courses selected from the existing curriculum of their host institution. Participants will be required to take a 3-credit course in American Studies to enhance their understanding of the United States. Participants will live in on-campus housing with American students and will be required to participate in twenty hours of community service. Former Global UGRAD participants often go on to benefit from the Fulbright program, complete prestigious international internships, and work in businesses and governments in their home countries.
STUDY FIELDS
Global UGRAD is open to all fields of study and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, or physical disability.
Note: Under J-1 visa regulations, applicants interested in fields of study such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, or other clinical programs should be aware that direct contact with patients, including animals, is not permitted, and as a result, participation in academic classes and/or other programmatic activities at the respective institutions in the United States may be limited.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
The Global UGRAD Program is open to anyone who is:
- He is over 18 years old.
- Albanian citizen.
- He studies in Albania.
- Is enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited Bachelor's degree program and has completed at least one semester. Participants must have at least one semester left to complete their Bachelor's degree at their home university in Albania after returning from the Global UGRAD program.
- Demonstrates potential for leadership skills through academic achievement, community service, and extracurricular activities.
- Has good speaking and writing skills in English (a language course may be offered to some finalists).
- Meet the criteria for obtaining a J-1 exchange visa and maintaining its status according to the program requirements.
- Preference will be given to applicants who have had little or no experience in the United States or outside of Albania.
- Applicants must return to Albania immediately after completing the program.
Applications for the 2023-2024 Global UGRAD Program are open! Application Deadline: December 15, 2022
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