UGRAD 2023 Call for applications is now open!
The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) provides a diverse group of emerging student leaders with a scholarship for a semester of academic study (non-degree) at a U.S. college or university.
Please note that this is a highly competitive scholarship. Only applicants who meet all the requirements (listed below) will be considered. Please take the time to carefully read all the information on this page and prepare a successful application that reflects your leadership and commitment to the development of your community.
The UGRAD 2023 call for applications is open from November 07, 2022, to December 15, 2022, closing that date at 4:00 p.m. (Guatemala time).
About the program
Global UGRAD, a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), aims to recruit participants from underrepresented and non-elite backgrounds who have not had other opportunities to study in the United States. Successful applicants will gain 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 courses chosen from within the current curriculum of the host institution. Participants will be required to take a three-credit U.S. studies course to enhance their understanding of the United States. Participants will live in assigned campus housing facilities with fellow Americans and will be required to participate in 20 hours of community service. There will be a virtual arrival orientation as well as a face-to-face workshop at the close of the program.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
1. Must be a Guatemalan citizen currently living in Guatemala, with no dual U.S. citizenship.
2. Currently studying at a university based in Guatemala.
3. Minimum GPA of 85/100 in the Guatemalan system or in the top 15 percent of your class. This must be proven by documents provided by the university. Scholarships will be awarded only to students currently enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs who have completed at least one semester of study. Participants must have at least one semester or equivalent term remaining to complete at their home institutions after returning from the Global UGRAD program.
4. Applicants must demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community involvement and/or extracurricular activities.
5. Applicants must have advanced English language skills. This will be evaluated. Short-listed candidates must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 48ibt.
Comment: You do not need to have taken a TOEFL test to apply. If you have a recent score (within the last two years), please indicate this in your documentation. Otherwise, provide comparable proof of your English language skills.
Preference will be given to those with little or no experience in the United States or outside their home countries.
6. Be eligible to obtain a J-1 visa.
7. Be 18 years of age at the start of the program.
How do I apply?
The application process will be conducted entirely online. Access this link to create an account: https://webportalapp.com/sp/home/ugrad_student_application_2023. Once you have created an account, select “Create a profile to get started.”
NOTE: The application must be completed in English. Applications submitted in Spanish will not be reviewed. You will be asked to write an essay on a specific topic (maximum length, 600 words). It is very important that you, and only you, complete the application and write your essay. Failure to do so will be grounds for immediate disqualification for plagiarism.
You must submit the following documents (only PDF and Word documents accepted):
1. Letter of academic recommendation: must be completed by a university professor familiar with the student’s work in his/her major field of study.
2. Personal letter of recommendation: Must be completed by a professor familiar with the student’s work in his/her major field of study or by an employer. Recommendations should not come from family or friends.
3. Photocopy of the information page of your passport or DPI.
4. Official transcripts: document issued by your university that should include your GPA and ranking; for example, that you are ranked 10/25 in your class.
5. Portfolio and work samples related to your degree.
Who is eligible?
1. Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
2. Must be a Guatemalan citizen currently living in Guatemala, with no dual U.S. citizenship.
3. Currently studying at a university based in Guatemala.
4. Minimum GPA of 85/100 in the Guatemalan system or in the top 15 percent of your class. This must be proven by documents provided by the university. Scholarships will be awarded only to students currently enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs who have completed at least one semester of study. Participants must have at least one semester or equivalent term remaining to complete at their home institutions after returning from the Global UGRAD program.
5. Applicants must demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community involvement and/or extracurricular activities.
6. Applicants must have advanced English language skills. This will be evaluated. Short-listed candidates must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 48ibt.
Comment: You do not need to have taken a TOEFL test to apply. If you have a recent score (within the last two years), please indicate this in your documentation. Otherwise, provide comparable proof of your English language skills.
Preference will be given to those with little or no experience in the United States or outside their home countries.
7. Be eligible to obtain a J-1 visa.
8. Be 18 years of age at the start of the program.
NOTE: The application must be completed in English. Applications submitted in Spanish will not be reviewed. You will be asked to write an essay on a specific topic (maximum length, 600 words). It is very important that you, and only you, complete the application and write your essay. Failure to do so will be grounds for immediate disqualification for plagiarism.
Important Dates
– The call for applications is open from November 07, 2022, to December 15, 2022, closing on that date at 4:00 p.m. (Guatemala time).
– Interviews will take place between January and February 2023. They are conducted in English and last approximately 20 minutes. If you are selected to participate, you will receive an email with more information. If you do not receive an e-mail inviting you to an interview by March 1, 2023, you have not been selected to continue to the next stage of the process.
– Selected fellows will travel to the United States in 2023 (dates may vary).
– Upon completion of the program, applicants must return directly to Guatemala.
Frequently Asked Questions
What expenses does the Global UGRAD scholarship cover?
The Global UGRAD scholarship covers the applicant’s visa, travel, accommodation, university fees, and medical insurance while in the United States.
I do not have a visa, can I apply?
Yes. Candidates must be eligible for a J-1 visa, but a visa is not required to apply.
Can a family member travel with the SUSI participant?
No. Family members may not travel or stay with participants during the program.
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