Exchange program for undergraduate students of higher educational institutions (Global Undergraduate Exchange Program) 2020-2021

The US Department of State has announced an open call for participation in the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program 2020-2021.

At the beginning of December, Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University was visited by employees of the Press, Education and Culture Department of the US Embassy in Ukraine: Michael Hackett, Deputy Attaché for Culture and Education, and Viktoriya Mykhaylenko, Assistant Attaché. The guests met with rector S.B. Belikov, vice-rector for scientific work and international cooperation Naumyk V.V. and the head of the Center for Internationalization and International Cooperation D. D. Plynokos, visited the university museum and held a presentation of the Global UGRAD program for students of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University.

Graduate Student Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) is a cultural exchange program operated by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and supported by the people of the United States of America. This international educational and cultural exchange program supports talented foreign students, provides an opportunity for future leaders to study in the United States in order to deepen their knowledge and study the culture and traditions of the United States of America.

Global UGRAD finalists study for one semester without a degree in the United States in any major. In particular, it is recommended to apply to this program for students majoring in: business administration, entrepreneurship, STEM (natural sciences, technology, engineering majors and mathematics). Participants are selected based on such criteria as academic success, leadership potential, knowledge of written and spoken English, public activity and the participant’s readiness to stay in the USA as an exchange student.

The Global UGRAD exchange program for students of higher education institutions provides the following financial support: travel expenses for program participants to/from the USA, study at an American university, accommodation and food, medical insurance, necessary textbooks and a monthly stipend.

Competition for participation in the Global UGRAD program is open and is based on the academic and personal performance of candidates.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATES:

– have Ukrainian citizenship, live in Ukraine and study at a higher educational institution of Ukraine at the time of the competition;

– be over 18 years old at the time of starting your studies in the USA;

– not to be a student of the graduation course of a bachelor’s program of a private or state higher educational institution of Ukraine;

– speak English at a level sufficient for studying and communicating in an English-speaking academic environment;

– have a high level of academic success, social activity and leadership potential;

– be able to start studying in the United States in August 2020 or January 2021. Contest finalists cannot independently choose program dates or postpone participation in the program for a later date;

– meet the requirements for obtaining an exchange program participant (J-1) visa to enter the United States;

– return to Ukraine after completing the program.

Program participants are housed at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Participants are not allowed to choose a college or university. Participants study subjects in their field of expertise, as well as subjects in American Studies. The standard number of academic credits per semester is 12. Program participants live in student dormitories.

Participants are not permitted to pursue a degree in the United States. All participants must return to Ukraine immediately after completing the program.

Applications for participation in the UGRAD program are accepted only in electronic form.

Candidates must register at: www.worldlearning.org/ugrad to access the interactive application form system for the program. Candidates will be able to fill out their application form, as well as send letters of recommendation and other documents online. Applications submitted after December 31, 2017 will not be considered.

Candidates MUST submit a package of documents that includes:

– Questionnaire for participation in the exchange program (all answers must be complete, all fields must be filled in English);

– Copy of the first page of the foreign passport. Applicants who do not have a foreign passport submit a copy of the internal passport of a citizen of Ukraine;

– Two letters of recommendation with certified English translation. One letter of recommendation must be from a teacher or supervisor from the university, the second letter can be from another teacher, employer, coach, coordinator of a former exchange program or volunteer/community activity. Family members and friends cannot provide letters of recommendation;

– A certified copy of the record book or an extract from the record book AND an official translation into English. The copy must be certified by the seal of the educational institution that issued them. The translation into English is certified by the institution that made the translation (educational institution or translation bureau);

– Official certificate indicating the name of the educational institution, faculty and course of study of the student (without translation);

– Certified copies of the certificate of completion of secondary education and the supplement to the certificate for students of the first year of study (with a translation into English, officially certified by an educational institution or a translation bureau);

– A copy of the results of standardized English language tests (optional);

– Additional documents (certificates, diplomas, portfolio, etc.).

More detailed information about the exchange program can be obtained at the link: https://ua.usembassy.gov/uk/education-culture-uk/exchange-programs-uk/academic-exchanges-uk/global-ugrad-uk/

Additional information can be obtained by e-mail: KyivUGRAD@state.gov or by phone: +38 044 521-5043, or in the department of international activities and work with foreign students (a. 263, tel. 4-75)

Application deadline is December 31, 2019 at 5:00 PM EST.