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APPLICATION
2014-2015 GLOBAL UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE PROGRAM IN
EURASIA AND CENTRAL ASIA
The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia and Central Asia is a program of the Bureau of Department of State and is support ed by the people of the United States. The program provides opportunities for non-degree study in the United States. In addition to course work, projects and engage in professional development activities. en to citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, APPLICATION DEADLINE:
2014-2015 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in
Eurasia and Central Asia
A PROGRAM OF THE BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS OF THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Thank you for your interest in the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD). For more than half a century, the United States has supported international educational and cultural exchange programs as an investment in global understanding and peace. Such exchange programs have a long track record of bringing future leaders from around the world to the United States. Formerly known as the Eurasian Undergraduate Exchange Program, the Global UGRAD program provides opportunities for up to 60 outstanding students from Eurasia and Central Asia to study at U.S. universities and colleges during the 2014-2015 academic year.
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State is responsible
for the management and oversight of the Global UGRAD program. Underlying the role of
exchanges in U.S. foreign policy is the belief that mutual understanding is of vital importance in
an increasingly interdependent world and that person-to-person exchange and training is the
most effective way to promote mutual understanding. International exchanges enhance the
effectiveness of the United States in dealing with other nations, and the exchange of persons
and ideas is essential to the promotion of democracy, economic prosperity, international
cooperation, peace and security around the world.
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs' (ECA) mission is to increase mutual
understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by
means of educational and cultural exchange that assist in the development of peaceful
relations.
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has awarded IREX a cooperative agreement to
conduct a merit-based competition to recruit, select, place and support participants throughout
the academic components of the program.

IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing thought leadership and
innovative programs to promote positive lasting change globally. We enable local
individuals and institutions to build key elements of a vibrant society: quality education,
independent media, and strong communities. To strengthen these sectors, our
program activities also include conflict resolution, technology for development, gender,
and youth.
The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia & Centra l Asia is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, is supported by the people of the United States, and is implemented by IREX. Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia and Central Asia
(Global UGRAD)
PAPER APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Fellowship awards for the Global UGRAD program are contingent on the appropriation of Federal
funding by the United States Congress.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia and Central Asia (Global UGRAD), a program of the
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State and supported by the
people of the United States, provides opportunities for undergraduate students for full-time, non-degree study in
the United States.
• Participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and the Russian Federation will spend one semester of non-degree study in a US university or community college.
• Participants from Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan will spend one academic year of non-degree study in a US university or community college.

First-year students will attend two-year community colleges and live in campus housing (dormitories) or with
American host families. All other students will attend four-year universities and colleges and will live in campus
housing (dormitories). Students must have at least one term remaining at their home institutions upon
completion of the program. Participants may not choose their U.S. host university/college or community
college.
Under the terms of this grant and the laws governing the J-1 visa required for participation in the Global
UGRAD Program, participants must return to their home country immediately upon completion of the
program for a period of at least two years. Participants are not eligible for visa extensions or transfers (for
example J1 to F1) under any circumstances. No exceptions will be made.

Below are some of the possible fields of study for Global UGRAD. Other fields will also be considered.
• Accounting
Deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, February 28, 2014
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Community Service: To expose participants to the principles of community service and social
responsibility in the United States, Global UGRAD participants will be required to perform a minimum of
20 hours of community service to local organizations.
Workplace Excellence Professional Field Trips: Semester program participants will visit at least one
field-specific site of interest for a firsthand view of the U.S. workplace.

Part-Time Internship: Internships provide an essential opportunity for participants to gain professional
experience and skills that can be applied in their future careers in their home countries. Global UGRAD
participants on a full academic year scholarship will be required to intern 40 hours per month during their
second semester. Each participant’s internship must be related to their field of study. Participants may
secure paid internships, but most internships will be unpaid.
____________________________________________________________________________________

TECHNICAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Candidates will be considered without respect to race, color, religion, national origin, or gender. Persons
with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Competition for the Global Undergraduate Exchange
Program is merit-based and open to anyone who:
• Is a citizen, national or permanent resident qualified to hold a valid passport issued by the country of
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, or Uzbekistan; • Is currently residing in one of the following eligible countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, or Uzbekistan; • Is enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in good academic standing at the time of application at a registered academic institution, public or private, in one of the 12 eligible countries. Correspondence students in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are also eligible to apply; • Has satisfactorily completed at least one semester for which s/he will obtain some of her/his final • Is not enrolled in her/his final year of studies at the time of application; • Is at least 18 years old at the start of the program; • Submits a complete online application with all required documents by the application deadline; • Is able to begin the academic exchange program in the United States in the fall of 2014; • Is able to receive and maintain a U.S. J-1 visa; • Is physically able to complete the program in its entirety; • Is committed to returning to their home country after completion of the program; • Is proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application. Individuals in the following circumstances are NOT eligible for the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program: • U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States; • Individuals currently participating in academic, training, or research programs in the United States; • Individuals currently studying, residing, or working outside the 12 eligible countries; • Individuals who have participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored or funded by the U.S. government for a period of more than six weeks and who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by the time of application; • Individuals who have participated in the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program previously; • Individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years; • Individuals married to American citizens; • 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; Deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, February 28, 2014
• 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. • Persons arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a crime (excluding minor traffic violations).
Current IREX employees and consultants and their immediate family members (spouses, parents,
children, and siblings) are not eligible to apply for any IREX-administered grant programs, either as
individuals or as the responsible party representing an institutional applicant.
The U.S. Department of State and IREX reserve the right to verify all of the information included in the
application. In the event that there is a discrepancy, or information is found to be false, the application will
immediately be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.
Applications not meeting the above technical eligibility requirements will not be forwarded to the
selection committee.
_________________________________________________________________________________

FINANCIAL PROVISIONS OF THE GRANT
• J-1 visa support;
• Round-trip travel from fellow’s home city to host institution in the United States;
• Accident and sickness coverage; • Tuition and mandatory university fees; • Small incidentals allowance; • Limited allowance for books; • A wide variety of alumni networking and training opportunities.
_________________________________________________________________________________

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA
The Global UGRAD Program is conducted as a merit-based open competition. After the deadline, all
eligible applications will be reviewed by a panel of academic specialists. Chosen semi-finalists will be
interviewed in their home country by a bi-national committee of U.S. specialists, program alumni, and U.S.
Embassy representatives, and must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in early
2014. All applicants will be notified of their status in spring 2014.
Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):
• Cross-cultural interest; • Demonstrated leadership potential; • Proficiency in written and spoken English; • Flexibility and suitability as an exchange student; • Commitment to returning to their home country after completion of the program; • Preference will be given to those applicants living outside capital cities; • Preference will be given to students that represent indigenous, disadvantaged, and underrepresented communities with no prior experience outside their countries. _________________________________________________________________________________
GENERAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
• Submit completed original and two copies of the Global UGRAD 2014-2015 Application and • Please answer ALL questions on the application in English (except where specified);
• Include your full, legal name, family name (surname) first as spelled on your international
passport (if available). Do not translate name spellings (for example write Mariya and not Mary); Deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, February 28, 2014
• Include complete contact information (including index codes for all addresses and city/country codes for all phone and fax numbers). Do not translate street or city names into English, only into the English alphabet (for example, write Prospekt Mira instead of “Peace Avenue”); • Do NOT leave a space blank. If a question does not apply to you, enter N/A (not applicable); • All forms and supporting materials should be typewritten (if possible) and submitted with the completed application. Handwritten applications must be neatly printed in black ink; • Write your full name and country of citizenship in the top right corner of each page. ____________________________________________________________________________________

SUPPLEMENTAL FORM
All applicants must include a completed Supplemental Form in addition to the application. Please read
and follow ALL instructions carefully in order to have a properly completed application.
The Supplemental Form is one document and includes the following:
• Additional Questions applicants must provide information about how they heard about the
Global UGRAD program, plans to apply for other sponsored educational exchange programs and the size of their home city. • Personal Statement A: applicants must describe why they would like to study in the US,
past experiences, what they will learn about America, and how the program will help their professional/personal goals. • Personal Statement B: applicants must define what a Global Citizen is to them, describe the
importance of being a Global Citizen, and provide examples of how they have acted as a Global Citizen in the past. • Personal Statement C: applicants must introduce themselves to future American roommates
and/or host families by describing their interests, hobbies, family, home communities, what they hope to do in the US, and their past accomplishments. • IREX Privacy Statement and Application Certification: applicants must read and sign this
form in order to verify that they understand IREX’s privacy policy and that they have completed their applications truthfully. • Two Recommendation Forms: applicants must have a recommendation completed by two
different people for a total of two recommendations. If the recommendation form is completed in a language other the English, there must be an accurate translation, which may be done by the applicant. • Additional Course Listings Form. This form is a continuation of question #14 on the
application, providing additional space for the applicants to detail university course history.
Applicants must list the academic year the course was taken, the course title, and the grade
received for the course in order for the form to be completed. If there was no grade for a
course, please indicate either “pass” or “fail”. First-year students must list courses from your
final year of secondary school in order for the form to be completed.

1st- and 2nd-year students must list at least five courses in order for the Course
Listings Form to be considered complete.
3rd- and 4th-year students must list at least 12 courses in order for the Course Listings
Form to be considered complete.

IF SELECTED TO THE SEMIFINALIST ROUND, APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AT THE
TIME OF THEIR INTERVIEW:

• A copy of applicant’s high school diploma with an accurate English translation, which may be done by
• A copy of high school transcripts (course list and grades) with an English translation, which may be done by applicant (for first-year students only);
Deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, February 28, 2014
• A copy of applicant’s university transcript (or academic grade book) in the university language of • Internal passport (if applicable);
• A copy of applicant’s international passport (if available) or government-issued identification.
____________________________________________________________________________________
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
The deadline for applications for the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program is 5:00 PM,
FRIDAY, February 28, 2014. Applications may be submitted at any of the IREX offices or representations
in Eurasia and Central Asia.
Do not send applications to the IREX office in Washington, DC. Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be
accepted. No application will be returned to the applicant after the end of the competition.
You must submit the original application and supplemental form and two complete copies for a
total of three. Each copy must be clear and readable. Unclear or unreadable copies will not be accepted.
Applicants should also keep a copy for their own records. Each copy of the application should be
submitted in the following order:
1. Global UGRAD 2014-2015 Application 2. Supplemental Form
Each complete application should be stapled. No other form of binding is permitted.
*Free consultations on completing the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program application are
available at IREX offices and representations in Eurasia.
____________________________________________________________________________________

Global UGRAD in Eurasia & Central Asia Timeline
February 28, 2014:
Interview committees conduct semifinalist interviews and ____________________________________________________________________________________

FIELD DESCRIPTIONS

General descriptions of the previously mentioned Global UGRAD program fields are given below. This
information is offered as a reference guide only and individual academic host institution programs of study
may differ in course offerings, subspecialties, and academic requirements. In some cases, the degree
title may differ as well. For example, participants applying for International Relations may be placed in a
program offering a degree in International Affairs. Each applicant can only choose one field of study, and
this field should be the applicant’s chief area of interest.
Unless noted, the following descriptions are adapted from the Princeton Review and can be found at:
http://www.princetonreview.com/Majors.aspx?uidbadge=
Deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, February 28, 2014
Accounting
Accounting majors learn how to keep financial records of business transactions and how to prepare
statements concerning assets, liabilities, and operating results. It's a fairly technical and very numbers-
and detail-oriented field that involves economics, the interpretation of financial data, and management
skills. Many accountants specialize in auditing, taxes, or consulting.
Agriculture
General programs in Agriculture are broad in scope. Specialty areas include animal science, horticulture,
agronomy, and agricultural economics. If you decide to major in Agriculture generally you'll have an
endless array of courses to choose from and you can pursue a wealth of well-paying career options in
agriculture and agribusiness.

Anthropology
Anthropology is the broad study of humans and human cultures throughout the world and throughout
history and prehistory. It is part natural science, part social science, and part humanistic study.
Anthropology majors compare and contrast biological, social, and cultural similarities and differences
among humans and human societies.

Biology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology)
Biology is the study of life and living organisms and how they interact with each other and their
It examines the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of living things.
Also, it classifies and describes their functions, and howcome into existence. Most
biological sciences are specialized disciplines. Traditionally, they are grouped by the type of organism
being studied: the study of plants; the study of animals; an the study of
microorganisms.
Business
A major in business administration/management will get a thorough grounding in the theories and
principles of accounting, finance, marketing, economics, statistics, human resources functions, and
decision-making. You’ll learn how to budget, organize, plan, hire, direct, control, and otherwise manage
various organizations. Count on problem-solving, theorizing, and math-heavy number-crunching, too.
This major will also get you thinking about issues such as diversity, ethics, politics, and other dynamics
that play a role in every work environment.
Chemistry
Chemistry examines the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter, the stuff of the
universe. It looks at the way the material world--petroleum, a tree, your hand--is arranged. What are the
properties that make water? What do we need to sustain life? How do two chemicals react with each
other? These are some of the basic questions a Chemistry major tries to answer. Chemistry majors also
gain a greater understanding as to how the physical world operates, and what we can do to improve and
advance the way we live and work.
Computer Science (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_science)
Computer science is the study and thof the theoretical foundations ofand
and their implementation and application i It has many sub-fields; some
emphasize the computation of specific results (such as, while others relate to
properties of(such as. Still others focus on the
challenges in implementing computations. A further subfield, focuses on the
challenges in making computers and computations useful, usable and universally accessible t

Criminal Justice (http://www.unr.edu/cla/cjweb/Pages/program.htm)
Criminal justice is an academic field which examines the actions of the formal social mechanism we call
the criminal justice system. The system is composed of three subsystems: policing /law enforcement
agencies, the courts/judiciary, and correctional agencies. The study of criminal justice requires an
examination of the structure and functioning of each of these subsystems, as well as knowledge about
the role behavior of the participants. The study of the criminal justice process involves a critical evaluation
Deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, February 28, 2014
of how the administration of justice actually operates, raising fundamental questions and examining the
perspectives from which solutions to problems might be drawn. The content of criminal justice is
interdisciplinary, drawing on theory developed in sociology, law, psychology, political science, and related
fields.
Economics
Economics is the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. More
broadly, Economics is the study of how individuals, businesses, governments, and societies choose to
spend their time and money, and otherwise allocate their resources. It is also excellent preparation for a
future in business, as well as for graduate studies in law, public policy, and international studies.
Education
As an Education major, you’ll learn the skills you need to become an effective and inspirational teacher -
someone who has the ability to influence young children and teenagers in life-changing ways. Although
much of your coursework will be general Education material, most states require you to choose a specific
grade level you’d like to teach. Choices usually include some variation of early childhood education
(preschool), primary education (kindergarten through eighth grade), secondary education (ninth through
twelfth grade), and special education.
Engineering
Engineering is the application of science to the optimum conversion of the resources of nature to the uses
of humankind. There are various disciplines of Engineering. Electrical engineers design, develop, and
test electrical equipment. Aerospace Engineers study aerodynamics, aerospace structures, propulsion,
flight mechanics and systems, and vehicle design. Chemical Engineers emphasize the commercial
applications of chemical reactions and the harnessing of chemical reactions to produce things people
want. Civil engineers work on complex projects which involve many technical, economic, social and
environmental factors - the design and construction of bridges, high rise buildings, highways, offshore oil
platforms, transit systems.
Environmental Management
(http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/degree/safety/bachelor/environmental-management/)
Environmental Management provides students with a foundation in environmental rules and regulations.
In addition, students are presented concepts reviewing environmental principles, resource use and
protection. Students will acquire practical skills related to industrial waste, solid waste and hazardous
waste management along with the appropriate techniques, technology and measures for minimizing air,
soil and water pollution. Environmental Management programs prepare students for employment in the
corporate, industrial, consulting, or regulatory environmental compliance, control, or remediation
professions.
Geology
Geology is the study of how and why the Earth has evolved. You’ll study natural and artificial
environmental processes and learn how those processes should be improved. You’ll study the history of
the earth and see how humans have brought about change for better or for worse. Geologists are
concerned with the entire physical makeup of the earth, and many specializations are available within the
major. No matter what your concentration, you’ll be learning how all aspects of the earth relate to each
other.
Hospitality Management
A major in Hospitality - which is alternatively called Hospitality Services, Hospitality Management, and
Tourism at various colleges and universities - will prepare you for a career managing hotels, restaurants,
and convention centers. Hospitality programs are very professionally oriented in nature. They integrate
management theory with practical business knowledge. You’ll also learn quite a bit about basic nutrition
and food theory, marketing, statistics, and even geography.

International Relations
Deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, February 28, 2014
International Relations majors study the relationships among countries, governments, peoples, and
organizations all around the world. You'll learn about global issues from a variety of perspectives-issues
including war, poverty, disease, diplomacy, democracy, trade, economics, and globalization. International
Relations is a multi-disciplinary major that draws from politics, history, economics, law, sociology,
psychology, philosophy, ethics, and geography. You'll be dealing with foreign cultures, languages,
worldviews, and values.
Journalism
Journalism is a hands-on, professionally oriented major that involves gathering, interpreting, distilling, and
reporting information to audiences through a variety of media. Journalism majors learn about every
conceivable kind of Journalism (including magazine, newspaper, online journalism, photojournalism,
broadcast journalism, and public relations). In addition to specialized training in writing, editing, and
reporting, Journalism requires a working knowledge of history, culture, and current events. There will also
be discussion on professional ethics and civic responsibility.
Law
(http://education-portal.com/directory/category/Legal/NonProfessional_General_Legal_Studies/PreLaw_Studies.html)
Undergraduates who study law in their own country will study in pre-law classes in the US. It usually is a
mix of interdisciplinary courses, including courses one might find in a Criminal Justice degree program.
Those hoping to become lawyers, paralegals, or legal assistants may find prelaw studies to be a valuable
educational concentration. Prelaw courses introduce students to the fundamental basics that found the
judicial system. They may discuss, for instance, the order of the courts, constitutional law, civil rights, or
law ethics.

Mass Communication
Mass Communication majors investigate the role mass media has played, and continues to play, in
American culture. They are analysts and historians, examining everything from 19th Century Harper’s
political cartoons to the newest McDonald’s commercial. Given the enormous effect of the media on our
daily lives, Mass Communication majors seek out how and why they reflect our social values. They also
describe how public policy draws boundaries for Mass Communication.
Physics
Physics majors study the exact, fundamental laws of nature. They study the structure of all sizes and
kinds of materials and particles - the very universe itself. They also seek to understand and define the
properties of energy, temperature, distance, and time, and they try to describe all of these things through
mathematical equations. If you major in Physics, you'll study the quest for the underlying logic and the
theoretical structure that unifies and explains all the different phenomena of the universe.
Political Science
Political Science is the study of politics and government. It remains central to any classical study of the
liberal arts, firmly grounded as it is in the work of Plato and Aristotle. In another sense, because it often
deals with current events and sophisticated statistical analysis, Political Science is a cutting-edge area of
study. Whether you are analyzing voting patterns in a presidential campaign, the Israeli parliament, or the
pros and cons of different systems of government, Political Science is timely, fascinating, and perpetually
changing. Political Science majors develop excellent critical thinking and communication skills and, more
broadly, an understanding of history and culture. Political Science majors study everything from
revolutions to political parties to voting behavior to public policy.
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the way humans and animals interact and respond to their environment.
Psychologists try to discover why certain people react to certain aspects of society and the world at large
in a certain way, and from those reactions, they try to deduce something about the biology of our brains
and the way the environment influences us. Psychology majors focus on such features of the human
mind as learning, cognition, intelligence, motivation, emotion, perception, personality, mental disorders,
and the ways in which our individual preferences are inherited from our parents or shaped by our
environment.
Deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, February 28, 2014

Sociology
Sociology is the scientific study of groups of humans. It is the study of collective human behavior and the
social forces that influence collective human behavior. Sociologists seek to discover the broad patterns of
interaction of social life that influence individual behaviors. Sociology majors learn about how groups,
organizations, and societies are structured. You'll study crime and violence, sex and gender, families,
health and illness, work and leisure, ethnic relations, religions and cultures, social classes, and
communities and cities.
Urban Planning
Urban Planning looks at the way cities are designed, constructed, and planned. Urban Planning majors
study the socio-economic factors and conditions behind housing projects in the city while also studying
the effect of public transportation in suburban areas. It’s both an analytical and quantitative approach, one
that combines policy, statistics, a sense of history, and a lot more. Urban planners help us look at the
ways we can improve our neighborhoods, preserving some of the past while keeping an eye open for
future improvements.
U.S. Studies
Also known as American Studies, it is the academic analysis of the various movements, cultures, and
subcultures of the United States, both past and present. It is the exploration of all things Americana:
revolutions, institutions, transformations, religion, race, gender, sexuality, fine arts, popular culture,
baseball, apple pie, artifacts, values, customs, ideals, and everyday experience. American Studies is an
interdisciplinary field involving history, English, art history, architecture, social sciences, and geography.

Deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, February 28, 2014

Source: http://mail.irex.tj/docs/global-ugrad/2014-2015%20Global%20UGRAD%20Paper%20Application%20Instructions_General.pdf