Program Description

Since 2008, World Learning has provided this opportunity to over 2,500 Global UGRAD students. Participants leave the U.S. with the tools to become leaders in their professions and communities. Global UGRAD alumni go on to receive Fulbright grants, obtain prestigious international internships, and work in business and government in their home countries and regions.

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. Global UGRAD is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State and aims to recruit participants from underrepresented backgrounds who have not had other opportunities to study in the United States. Successful applicants can expect 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 coursework 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 twenty hours of community service. There will also be a virtual arrival orientation and an in-person end-of-program workshop.

Grant benefits include international travel, tuition, room and board, accident/sickness insurance, monthly stipend, and funding for books.

The Global UGRAD-Pakistan Program is run by a different organization. For further details, please email the Fulbright Commission in Pakistan at [email protected].

Countries: Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, North Macedonia, Palestinian Territories (West Bank and Gaza), Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Russia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor Leste, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe.

For Indonesian please visit AMINEF

Program Goals

To promote mutual understanding between people of the United States and other countries.

  • Provide a fulfilling exchange experience to drive academic, cross-cultural, and leadership competencies for students from Global UGRAD countries.

  • Enhance students' academic knowledge and professional skills needed to pursue long-term academic and career goals.

  • Cultivate students' comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the U.S.

  • Facilitate opportunities for students to establish social networks with U.S. host institutions and local communities.

  • Empower students to engage constructively in the civic life of their local and global communities.

Visit website: Global UGRAD World Learning

Selection Process

This is based on my experience in 2019-2020. I will provide an update if there are some changes.

1. Form/Administration a.k.a Webportal
Before you decided to apply, do read the eligibilities (for Indonesian):

  • Be an Indonesian citizen

  • Be over 18 years of age

  • Be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program (S1/D4) in Indonesia, having completed a minimum of one semester of study and having at least one more semester to complete at their home institution upon return. Preference will be given to those who are in their third up to the fifth semester.

  • Demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities

  • Demonstrate command of written and spoken English as attested by a recent (less than two years old) TOEFL ITP or TOEFL Prediction score of 500 or iBT of 48.

  • Be committed to returning directly to Indonesia after the completion of the program

Preference will be given to who have had little or no experience in the US or outside of their home countries. Only short-listed candidates will be notified for a personal interview.

The following applicants are ineligible:

  • US citizens and permanent residents of the United States

  • Individuals currently studying, residing, or working outside of Indonesia

  • Local employees of the US missions abroad who work for the US Department of State and/or the US Agency for International Development (USAID)

  • Immediate family members (i.e., spouses and children) of US Department of State and USAID employees; family members are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment

  • Current World Learning and AMINEF employees and their immediate family members

2. Interview
After you finished the online application, you have to wait for weeks to get notified for the interview.
Check your email regularly in the inbox or spam folder.
If you received the email, congratulations you have been chosen. For those who haven't, there are many ways to go to the US or foreign countries. Sad and disappointed are fine but keep going!

Interview
You will have the interview in Jakarta specifically in AMINEF Office. There are Program Officers and Indonesians who will interview you.

You may be asked to bring several documents (hard copies) such as CV, TOEFL Prediction result, etc. as stated in the email. You also will be assisted by AMINEF Officers.

During the interview, you will get your transportations itinerary and it is free. In addition, pocket money.

UPDATE:
In 2021, the selection process was done through Zoom/Video Call because of the pandemic.

3. TOEFL iBT
After the interview, you will also have to wait for weeks for the TOEFL iBT. Check your email regularly!

I wanted to say congratulations once again to have achieved this stage of the selection process. Don't lose hope to anyone who doesn't receive the TOEFL iBT notification.

During my year, I got the chance to have my TOEFL iBT in Jakarta. Some of my friends did it in Surabaya.

We got provided for the transportation itinerary, accommodation, and pocket money.

TOEFL iBT is one of TOEFL test. This is a computer-based test and has four sections such as reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
Close to IELTS but personally think that this is the hardest one.

UPDATE:
TOEFL iBT tests in 2021 were done at home with your own laptop/PC.

4. Finalists/Alternatives Announcement
Wait for weeks (again) to get the notification. Check your email!

Mission accomplished. Congratulations on your position either finalist or alternative, you have done a great job, and please celebrate it.

For students who get alternative, it is alright. There is a 50:50 chance of whether you are going or not. Do not put high expectations, just be thankful for the experiences. For your record, do activate your email notification, so you will not miss any upgrades/updates on your position.

5. Medical Check-Up
During this time, there will be OPAL on Canvas. Attend and do the assignments provided by the World Learning Officers.

About MCU, the form will be provided in webportal (the web you were using to apply). Also, you have to use your own money to complete it.

6. Placement
Next will be your university placement.
Congratulations once again!
You can make a list of what things to do during your program. Start to look at everything near your campus or activities you can do.

7. VISA Interview
Wear appropriately, speak English clearly, control your nervousness, and just be normal. Bring the documents!!!

For the picture, make sure it is an original picture without a filter.

You will have the interview at US Embassy in Jakarta.

Again, you will be provided the transportation itinerary, accommodation, and pocket money.

8. Pre-Departure Orientation
Yoohoo! Close to departure!

This used to be in AMINEF Office, however, during the pandemic they will hold it online through video call such as Zoom or Google Meet.

It is about your preparation and arrival in the US. What to bring, about your baggages, clothes, documents, etc.

9. Program Start to End (1 Semester)

Have fun!
Learn more, safe travel, do not fail your classes, stay healthy both mentally and physically, and contribute to the community!

At the end of the program, you will have a workshop. In my year, we had it online but alumni had it in Washington DC. So, pray that you will have it in Washington DC.

How to Apply

Candidates should complete the online application (click the APPLY button). It will open from November 1, 2021 until the deadline of January 6, 2022.

Submission Requirements (to be supplied in English).

  • Two letters of reference, one from a lecturer from the applicant’s major field of study, the other from another lecturer, an employer, a coach, or a community work supervisor.

  • Photocopy of Indonesian ID card (KTP)/Passport if you have it.

  • The latest university progress report/transcript in Indonesian and English

The transcript and other materials must be prepared before the deadline since you will not be able to add additional information on the online application form after that date.

After the online application has been submitted, candidates should inform staff at AMINEF via email attaching their scanned TOEFL ITP or TOEFL Prediction score to [email protected], with the email subject, “[Your Full Name] – Completed Global UGRAD Online Form.”

Please note that there are requirements unique to the Indonesia program, which may differ from details on the World Learning website. For applicants from Indonesia, please refer to the above requirements when applying to this program and direct all your questions to AMINEF staff.

Tips

Prepare your TOEFL score.
Learn and practice your English daily to help you with the TOEFL. You can learn from the internet nowadays. Have your dedication to learning English.

Choose TOEFL Prediction because it is friendly to college students' pocket money.

Essay
Personal statement and choose one topic that represents your experiences.
You will take a lot of time in writing your essay. Find someone (at least) to get help to check your essay.

Note from me:
Make sure you make the interesting first paragraph. Provide your background on why you are a good candidate. The next paragraphs could be your experiences that align with the program. You can promote yourself, what you expect in this program, and what you will give during the program. Conclude them at the end of the essay.

Recommendation Letter
Ask your college instructors who are close to you such as an academic advisor (Dosen PA), class instructor, or you can get help from your supervisor at your job. Do not hesitate to ask for help from your instructors, trust me they will gladly help you.

Do not put expectations
Focus on your first step.

Still have questions?

You can visit AMINEF Instagram: AMINEF
They have information and the Global UGRAD series in their posts or highlights.
OR
You can DM me on Instagram: risfip