The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) provides a diverse group of emerging student leaders with a scholarship for one semester of non-degree academic study at a U.S. college or university.
Global UGRAD is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State.
Global UGRAD aims to recruit participants from underrepresented backgrounds who have not had other opportunities to study in the United States.
Successful applicants can expect in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as opportunities to enhance their professional skills.
- For students in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands or Vanuatu
- Deadline to apply – (Expected) Early January
Global UGRAD is administered by World Learning
All participants will be enrolled in full-time, non-degree, undergraduate coursework chosen from their host institution’s existing curriculum. Participants will be required to take one, 3-credit U.S. studies course to enhance their understanding of the United States.
Participants will live in campus housing facilities with American peers and will be required to participate in twenty hours of community service. There will also be a virtual arrival orientation and an in-person end-of-program workshop.
Candidates from the Pacific Islands countries are eligible. Global UGRAD is administered by World Learning on behalf of its funder, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Only online applications will be accepted, Eastern Standard time via: https://webportalapp.com/
Program Eligibility
Global UGRAD is open to all academic fields of study and does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, or disability.
The Global UGRAD Program is open to anyone who meets the following criteria:
- Applicants must be a citizen of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands or Vanuatu to apply for the Global UGRAD Program.
- Applicants must be studying in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands or Vanuatu to apply for the Global UGRAD Program.
- Scholarships will be granted to students who currently are enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs only, having completed a minimum of their first semester of study. Participants must have at least one semester or an equivalent term to complete at their home institutions upon completion of the Global UGRAD Program.
- Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
- Applicants must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 48iBT.
- Preference will be given to those who have had little or NO experience in the United States or outside of their home countries.
- Has a solid command of written and spoken English (English Language training for some finalists is possible);
- Able to begin studies in the U.S. in January 2024 (selected participants may not defer to a later date);
- Eligible to receive and maintain the U.S. student exchange visa (J-1) required for the program;
- Applicants are over 18 years of age.
- Cleared by a physician to participate in 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;
- Anyone who has already graduated from university
- 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
For more info please visit: https://www.worldlearning.org/program/global-undergraduate-exchange-program
If you have questions, please write to: pdportmoresby@state.gov
For detailed information please visit the Global UGRAD website and Global UGRAD Facebook page. The house program description, program eligibility, a link to the online application and a great video of current UGRAD students encouraging others to apply.
Global UGRAD YouTube Channel features videos that past participants have made about their experiences in the U.S.
