US Embassy holds Global UGRAD information session

11/04/2011

On Tuesday, October 25, the Public Affairs Section, together with the Educational Advising Center, organized a presentation for perspective participants of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia and Central Asia. Cultural Affairs Officer Greta Gromovich welcomed the students, stating that the U.S. Government  supports exchange programs, like UGRAD, that help bolster mutual understanding between nations.

The Global UGRAD exchange program provides the opportunity for undergraduate students from Uzbekistan to have one year of full-time, non-degree study in the United States. Each year, the U.S. Embassy sends about 10 Uzbek students to the U.S. through this program.

Alumni Coordinator Sardor Djurabaev, who helps administer the program in Uzbekistan, gave a short presentation about the U.S. higher educational system. In particular, he spoke extensively about the Global UGRAD application procedures: the recruitment process, selection criteria and general program requirements.

He emphasized that the program is fully sponsored by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It covers tuition fees and housing and boarding expenses, arranges travel to the U.S. host institution, supplies funding for educational materials and provides accident and sickness coverage.  

Students also had the opportunity to meet with former Global UGRAD participants. The prospective applicants asked alumni many questions, not only about program requirements but also about the exchange program experience and what cultural and academic life is like in the U.S. Alumni shared their personal stories about campus life, travels across the U.S., celebrating American holidays and making new friends from all over the world.

They also highlighted the importance of the internship that successful UGRAD fellows will have to undertake during their exchange year, as the internship can help jumpstart their professional career.

The alumni coordinator noted that the program will be announced in late November and all application documents can be downloaded from the U.S. Embassy website or picked up from the Information Resource Center. He reminded the students that once the application is available, PAS will be organizing weekly meetings with the candidates to guide them through the application process.

For more information about the selection process and eligibility criteria, please click here.