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 an in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as opportunities to enhance their professional skills.
The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program is a fully funded academic and cultural exchange program designed to increase participants’ knowledge and global connectivity. Global UGRAD participants come from 60+ countries and study for a semester at universities across the United States. After the program, participants are higher-achieving students, stronger leaders, and more actively engaged in their communities.
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.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be a Thai citizen for the Global UGRAD Program.
- Applicants must be studying in Thailand.
- 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 to complete at their home institutions upon completion of the Global UGRAD Program.
- Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
- Applicants must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 48iBT.
- Preference will be given to those who have had little or NO experience in the United States or outside of their home countries.
- Applicants are required to return directly to Thailand after the completion of the program.
- Applicants are over 18 years of age.
Application and Program Timeline:
Undergraduate students from all fields of study are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted from November 1, 2022, to December 15, 2022 for the 2023-2024 academic year. Application can be found at https://webportalapp.com/sp/closed/ugrad_student_application_2023. Participants will be placed at a U.S. university in either the fall 2023 semester (August to December 2023) or spring 2024 semester (January to May 2024).
Application Deadline: December 15, 2022
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. The interviews will take place on February 1, 2023 via Zoom. We will notify finalists of their acceptance into the program by April 2023.
For questions, please send an email to Usawadee@fan.gov with “Global UGRAD Inquiry”.
