Download - Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia and Central Asia (Global UGRAD) 2013 – 2014
Global Undergraduate Exchange Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia and Central AsiaProgram in Eurasia and Central Asia
(Global UGRAD) 2013 – 2014(Global UGRAD) 2013 – 2014
Global Undergraduate Exchange Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)Program (Global UGRAD)
Funded by the Bureau of Funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the US Affairs (ECA) of the US Department of StateDepartment of State
Administered by IREXAdministered by IREX
To promote democracy, To promote democracy, economic prosperity, economic prosperity, international cooperation, and international cooperation, and mutual understandingmutual understanding
One-year academic program One-year academic program for outstanding undergraduate for outstanding undergraduate studentsstudents
Bureau of Educational and Bureau of Educational and Cultural AffairsCultural Affairs
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries around the world. Over 250 current and former heads of state and government are alumni of ECA programs.
IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing thought leadership and IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing thought leadership and innovative programs to promote positive lasting change globally. We enable innovative programs to promote positive lasting change globally. We enable local individuals and institutions to build key elements of a vibrant society: local individuals and institutions to build key elements of a vibrant society: quality education, independent media, and strong communities. To strengthen quality education, independent media, and strong communities. To strengthen these sectors, our program activities also include conflict resolution, technology these sectors, our program activities also include conflict resolution, technology for development, gender, and youth. Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual for development, gender, and youth. Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of over $70 million and a staff of over 400 professionals worldwide. portfolio of over $70 million and a staff of over 400 professionals worldwide.
Global UGRAD Academic StudyGlobal UGRAD Academic Study
One year of full-time, One year of full-time, non-degree study at non-degree study at different colleges, different colleges, universities, and universities, and community colleges all community colleges all across the United States.across the United States.
Eligible Fields of Study Eligible Fields of Study *AccountingAccountingAgricultureAgricultureAnthropologyAnthropologyBiologyBiologyBusinessBusinessChemistryChemistry
Computer ScienceComputer Science Criminal JusticeCriminal JusticeEconomicsEconomicsEducationEducationEngineeringEngineeringEnvironmental Environmental ManagementManagement
GeologyGeologyHospitality ManagementHospitality ManagementInternational RelationsInternational RelationsJournalismJournalismLawLawMass CommunicationsMass CommunicationsPhysicsPhysicsPolitical SciencePolitical SciencePsychologyPsychologySociologySociologyUrban PlanningUrban PlanningU.S. StudiesU.S. Studies
*Other fields will be considered
Host Institution PlacementsHost Institution Placements
Accredited colleges and universities in the USAccredited colleges and universities in the US– First-year students will attend two-year community colleges and First-year students will attend two-year community colleges and
live in campus housing (dormitories) or with American host live in campus housing (dormitories) or with American host familiesfamilies
– All other students (second year, third year, fourth year) will All other students (second year, third year, fourth year) will attend four year universities and colleges and will live in attend four year universities and colleges and will live in dormitoriesdormitories
Only those institutions approved by IREX and ECA Only those institutions approved by IREX and ECA may host fellowsmay host fellows
Students may NOT choose Students may NOT choose or change placements or change placements
Professional TrainingProfessional TrainingGlobal UGRAD Students complete a part-time internship
during their Spring semester.
Students intern 10 hrs/week for no more than 40 hrs/month
Internships allow students to gain professional experience and skills
Experience gained through internships can directly apply to future careers in home countries
A student learning software applications in her field
Community ServiceCommunity ServiceGlobal UGRAD students complete community service during first semesterGlobal UGRAD students complete community service during first semester
Experience the principles of community service and social responsibility in the United States
Students complete 20 hours of Students complete 20 hours of community service in their host community service in their host communitycommunity
Past students have volunteered Past students have volunteered at such places as the Red at such places as the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and at Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and at local secondary schoolslocal secondary schools
A student volunteering building homes
Cultural ExchangeCultural ExchangeGlobal UGRAD students conduct country presentations to Global UGRAD students conduct country presentations to
enlighten and educate Americans on their countries.enlighten and educate Americans on their countries.
Students conduct two Students conduct two country presentations: country presentations: one on-campus and one on-campus and one off-campusone off-campus
Students often use Students often use pictures, music, food, pictures, music, food, and dance to share and dance to share their country’s culturetheir country’s culture
A student wearing her national clothing during her country presentation
Cultural ImmersionCultural ImmersionGlobal UGRAD students immerse themselves in American culture Global UGRAD students immerse themselves in American culture
by participating in the Passport to America programby participating in the Passport to America program
Students explore and Students explore and record different aspects of record different aspects of American culture such as American culture such as arts, holidays, sports, and arts, holidays, sports, and music.music.
Students receive stamps Students receive stamps in their “Passports”in their “Passports”
Students discuss their Students discuss their activities online and reflect activities online and reflect with other fellows.with other fellows.
A student experiences American football
Visa & Financial SupportVisa & Financial Support
J-1 visa support;J-1 visa support;Round-trip travel from student’s home city to Round-trip travel from student’s home city to host institution in the United States;host institution in the United States;Accidence and sickness coverage;Accidence and sickness coverage;Tuition and mandatory university fees;Tuition and mandatory university fees;Room and board (housing and meals);Room and board (housing and meals);Small incidentals allowance;Small incidentals allowance;Limited allowance for books;Limited allowance for books;A wide variety of alumni networking and training A wide variety of alumni networking and training opportunities.opportunities.
IREX Support in the USIREX Support in the US
Assist you in your adjustment to Assist you in your adjustment to American culture, life, and studies.American culture, life, and studies.
Guide you in choosing your Guide you in choosing your courses, community service courses, community service projects, and internships.projects, and internships.
Collaborate with your host Collaborate with your host institution advisors, faculty, and institution advisors, faculty, and staff on all details of your studies staff on all details of your studies and time in America.and time in America.
Coordinate all financial and travel Coordinate all financial and travel issues directly related to your time issues directly related to your time as a Global UGRAD student.as a Global UGRAD student.
Each student will be assigned an IREX staff member in Washington, DC who will be your primary contact in the US.primary contact in the US.
Host Community SupportHost Community SupportAll students will have host advisors and campus coordinators All students will have host advisors and campus coordinators who will assist you in your daily life in your host communities.who will assist you in your daily life in your host communities.
Help make your host Help make your host community a home away from community a home away from homehome
Offer daily support and adviceOffer daily support and advice
Identify courses for you to takeIdentify courses for you to take
Coordinate and/or create Coordinate and/or create Passport to America activitiesPassport to America activities
Identify community service, Identify community service, internship, and country internship, and country presentation opportunitiespresentation opportunities
Who can be a Global UGRAD Who can be a Global UGRAD StudentStudent
A citizen, national, or permanent resident with a passport from:A citizen, national, or permanent resident with a passport from:ArmeniaArmenia AzerbaijanAzerbaijan Belarus GeorgiaBelarus GeorgiaKazakhstanKazakhstan KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan MoldovaMoldova RussiaRussiaTajikistanTajikistan TurkmenistanTurkmenistan UkraineUkraine UzbekistanUzbekistan
Meets all Eligibility Requirements*Meets all Eligibility Requirements*
Submits an application and two additional copies by the Submits an application and two additional copies by the deadline (online applications are encouraged)deadline (online applications are encouraged)
Is eligible for a US J-1 visaIs eligible for a US J-1 visa
*For complete details about eligibility requirements please refer to the participant *For complete details about eligibility requirements please refer to the participant instructions.instructions.
Program RegulationsProgram Regulations
Immediately upon program Immediately upon program completion, students must completion, students must return to their home countries return to their home countries for two years for two years
Students may not continue Students may not continue their studies in the UStheir studies in the US
Students may not work while in Students may not work while in the US (with the exception of the US (with the exception of the internship)the internship)
Selection ProcessSelection Process
Merit-based open processMerit-based open process
All applications first reviewed for technical All applications first reviewed for technical eligibility eligibility
Eligible applications read, evaluated & Eligible applications read, evaluated & ranked by panel of academic specialistsranked by panel of academic specialists
Highest rankings = Semi-finalistsHighest rankings = Semi-finalists
What Makes a Great Global What Makes a Great Global UGRAD UGRAD Applicant?Applicant?
Academic ExcellenceAcademic ExcellenceCross-Cultural InterestCross-Cultural InterestDemonstrated Leadership PotentialDemonstrated Leadership PotentialProficiency in English (both written and Proficiency in English (both written and spoken)spoken)Flexibility and Suitability as an Exchange Flexibility and Suitability as an Exchange StudentStudentCommitment to Returning to Home Commitment to Returning to Home Country after Completion of ProgramCountry after Completion of ProgramPreference to applicants living outside Preference to applicants living outside capital citiescapital citiesPreference to students that represent Preference to students that represent indigenous, disadvantages, and indigenous, disadvantages, and underrepresented communities with no underrepresented communities with no prior experience outside their countriesprior experience outside their countries
Semi-finalistsSemi-finalists
Semi-finalists notified in early Semi-finalists notified in early 20132013
Semi-finalists interviewed in Semi-finalists interviewed in English in home country by a English in home country by a bi-national committee of U.S. bi-national committee of U.S. specialists, program alumni, specialists, program alumni, and U.S. Embassy and U.S. Embassy representativesrepresentatives
Must take Official TOEFL Must take Official TOEFL exam in home country in exam in home country in February or March February or March 20132013 (testing and travel paid for by (testing and travel paid for by IREX) IREX)
FinalistsFinalists
Finalists and alternates Finalists and alternates notified by phone in notified by phone in spring spring 20132013
Finalists attend a pre-Finalists attend a pre-departure orientation in departure orientation in their home country in their home country in June or July June or July 20132013
Fellowships begins in Fellowships begins in August August 20132013
Global UGRAD ApplicationsGlobal UGRAD Applications
Visit local IREX office for Visit local IREX office for paper applicationspaper applications
Apply online Apply online (encouraged!) or (encouraged!) or download the application download the application at www.irex.org or at www.irex.org or www.irex.ua www.irex.ua
Submitting ApplicationsSubmitting Applications
IREX Ukraine office:IREX Ukraine office:
IREX-Ukraine: 36D Saksahanskoho, 2nd Entrance,
5th Floor, Kyiv, 01033,
Tel/fax (044) 537-0604, 586-2780
E-mail: [email protected],
Website: www.irex.ua or www.irex.orgNo faxed or emailed applications accepted.No faxed or emailed applications accepted.
Application GuidelinesApplication GuidelinesOnly Only completedcompleted applications acceptedapplications accepted
No documents accepted No documents accepted separatelyseparately
Submit Submit oneone original and two original and two copies (for a total of copies (for a total of threethree applications)applications)
Make one more copy for Make one more copy for yourselfyourself
Applications must be Applications must be completed in completed in EnglishEnglish and and typed or hand-written in typed or hand-written in black inkblack ink
Typed applications are Typed applications are strongly recommendedstrongly recommended
If hand-written, applications If hand-written, applications must be clear and readablemust be clear and readable
Include your full name and Include your full name and citizenship in provided space citizenship in provided space on the upper right-hand on the upper right-hand corner of every pagecorner of every page
Complete all sections! If Complete all sections! If there is no answer, write N/A there is no answer, write N/A (not-applicable)(not-applicable)
Don’t Forget…Don’t Forget…
Two completed Two completed recommendations recommendations (with an accurate (with an accurate English translation if English translation if necessary, which may necessary, which may be done by applicant).be done by applicant).
Questions?Questions?May be addressed to IREX staff at:May be addressed to IREX staff at:
IREX-Ukraine:
36D Saksahanskoho,
2nd Entrance, 5th Floor, Kyiv, 01033;
Tel/fax (044) 537-0604, 586-2780
E-mail: [email protected],
Website: www.irex.ua or www.irex.org