January 5, 2021
Public Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy Mongolia
Call for Applications: PAS-Ulaanbaatar-009/FY2021
The 2021–2022 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program
U.S. Embassy Ulaanbaatar is pleased to announce the 2021–2022 Global Undergraduate Exchange (Global UGRAD) Program. The Global UGRAD is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and is a fully-funded scholarship for one semester of non-degree academic study at an assigned U.S. college or university. The application deadline is February 28, 2021.
The goal of the UGRAD Scholarship program is to provide a diverse group of emerging student leaders with a substantive exchange experience at an American college or university. Participants are emerging leaders committed to their home countries and communities, and throughout the Global UGRAD program they will challenge themselves to explore U.S. society, culture, and academic learning.
Per J-1 visa regulations, interested applicants in medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacology or other clinical fields of study should be made aware that direct patient care, including animal care, is not permitted, and therefore academic coursework and/or program activities at participating U.S. institutions may be limited.
Eligibility:
Global UGRAD is open to all academic fields of study and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, or disability. Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Global UGRAD Program is merit-based and is open to anyone who:
- Is a Mongolian citizen residing in Mongolia;
- Is 18-24 years old at the time of application;
- Has completed secondary education in Mongolia and is currently enrolled as an undergraduate at an accredited university, public or private;
- Has completed the first year of undergraduate study prior to starting the Global UGRAD Program;
- Has at least one semester or an equivalent term remaining to complete at the home institution upon return after the Global UGRAD Program;
- Has a GPA of no less than 3.0;
- Has a solid command of both written and spoken English: English language test scores are not mandatory at the time of application. However, if selected for the program the candidates will be requested to take TOEFL IBT. The minimum target score is TOEFL IBT 61 or ITP/PBT 500. Note: One semester of English training prior to the start of the academic studies may be provided for students who have lower English skills but are otherwise strongly qualified;
- Able to begin studies in the U.S. in January 2022 (selected participants may not defer to a later date);
- Eligible to receive and maintain a U.S. exchange visa for students (J-1) required for the program;
- Committed to returning to Mongolia after the completion of the program.
Individuals in the following circumstances are not eligible for participation 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
The Global UGRAD Program is a non-degree program, upon program conclusion students will not be eligible to transfer into degree programs in the U.S. In addition, the program does not assist with credit transfers between participants’ host and home institutions. Any credit transfers are the sole responsibility of the participants.
Students will be placed at colleges and universities throughout the United States, and will not be able to select their own placement. Students will take courses in their fields of study as well as U.S. studies courses. The standard number of U.S. academic credits per semester is 12, out of which one academic course (2-4 credits) must related to U.S. studies. Additional credits are contingent upon the designated U.S. host institution and are subject to World Learning’s approval. Students will live in university housing/dormitories.
Individuals participating in the Global UGRAD program are required to:
- Uphold the academic standards of the host institution and abide by all program terms and conditions. Failure to maintain academic standards or meet the goals of the program may result in the participants’ dismissal from the program.
- Perform 20 hours of volunteer community service during their semester on the Global UGRAD program.
- Return to Mongolia immediately after completion of the program. Participants may not stay for further degree study or for any other purpose in the U.S.
A full and complete Global UGRAD Program Online Application package includes following documents:
- Completed Online Application Form;
- Copy of passport biography page;
- Copy of academic transcripts for years of university study;
- Two letters of reference;
- Grade equivalence between local grading system and U.S. grading system.
Things to note for your application:
- Please read all instructions and information carefully before completing the application, and review all fields before making any submission online. The application can be saved and submitted at a later time.
- All forms in this application are to be completed in English.
- Answer all questions. Put N/A for questions that do not apply.
- Respond to essay questions as instructed, adhering to indicated word limits;
- Answer all questions truthfully. Applications are expected to represent the original thought and individual work of the applicant. Plagiarism, representing another author’s language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions as your original work without proper acknowledgment is unacceptable. Any instance of plagiarism in a student application or essay is grounds for immediate disqualification from consideration for the program.
- Upload two letters of recommendation in English, or with notarized translations:
- One recommendation must be completed by an instructor or advisor from the student’s university;
- The second recommendation can be from another instructor, an employer, coach, former exchange program coordinator or host family (from a prior exchange). Family members and personal friends may not provide letters of recommendation;
- Upload official undergraduate transcripts with certified English translations. Grades must be printed on official university stationery, signed by a dean or equivalent official, and certified with official university seal;
- Contents of transcripts and recommendations will be verified with the appropriate institutions and instructors. When preparing your application be sure to request all transcripts and academic recommendations in sufficient time to receive them before the application deadline.
- Upload official confirmation of the current academic year enrollment (if not included in transcript);
- Upload English language test score report (if taken previously). This document is not obligatory;
- Upload a copy of National Citizen ID and Passport face page or other proof of citizenship;
- Once your application is complete and supporting documents are uploaded, hit “Submit” to officially apply. Once submitted, you will not be able to change the information on the forms.
The application deadline for the 2021–2022 Global UGRAD Program is February 28, 2021. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. For application information and instructions, please visit the Global UGRAD page, Global UGRAD website and Global UGRAD Facebook page.
Please direct all inquiries to [email protected].
