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The 2023-2024 Global Undergraduate Student Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)

The U.S Office of Palestinian Affairs in Jerusalem Announces

The 2023-2024 Global Undergraduate Student Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)

 

DEADLINE: December 15, 2022 The U.S Office of Palestinian Affairs in Jerusalem is pleased to announce the competition for the 2023-2024 Global Undergraduate Student Exchange Program (Global UGRAD). 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. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and aims to recruit participants from underrepresented backgrounds, who have not had other opportunities to study in the United States. Successful applicants can expect an in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as opportunities to enhance their professional skills. All participants will be enrolled in full-time, non-degree, undergraduate course work 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 20 hours of community service. There will also be a virtual arrival orientation and an in-person end-of-program workshop.

 

Eligibility for the Global UGRAD Program:

  1. Applicants must be Palestinian residents of Jerusalem, the West Bank, or Gaza and must be currently studying in their place of residence.
  2. Applicants must be studying in the country in which they apply for the Global UGRAD Program.
  3. 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 remaining to complete at their home institutions upon completion of the Global UGRAD Program.
  4. Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
  5. Applicants must demonstrate a command of written and spoken English. Applicants must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 48 iBT. Students who score between 48-60 will be considered for the virtual English Language Training prior to the exchange

portion of the program. Students must achieve a minimum score of 61 to be eligible to participate in the exchange portion of the program in the United States.

  1. Preference will be given to those who have had little or no experience in the U.S. or outside of their home countries.
  2. Applicants are required to return directly to their home country after the completion of the program.
  3. Applicants are over 18 years of age.

 

Application and Program Timeline:

Applications will be accepted from November 1, 2022 to December 15, 2022 for the 2023-2024 academic year. Participants will be placed at a U.S. university in either the Fall 2023 semester (August – December 2023) or Spring 2024 semester (January to May 2024). The application link is: https://webportalapp.com/sp/closed/ugrad_student_application_2023.

Inquires

Jerusalem and West Bank Applicants: Please send an email to Jerusalemexchanges@state.gov

Gaza Applicants: Please send an email to JerusalemGazaexchanges@state.gov