2008 NEAR EAST & SOUTH ASIA UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE PROGRAM

A program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs U.S. Department of State

The deadline for applications for the NESA UGRAD Program is March 10, 2008

The U.S. Embassy announces the Near East and South Asia Undergraduate Exchange Program (NESA UGRAD), a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State, which provides opportunities for first-, second-, and third-year undergraduate students, from the United Arab Emirates to spend one semester or one academic year of full-time, non-degree study in the United States. Participants will be enrolled in full-time, non-degree study at 2-year and 4-year institutions.

Below are some of the possible fields of study for NESA UGRAD. Other fields will also be considered.

• Agriculture               • Geology
• American Studies      • Hospitality Management
• Anthropology           • International Relations
• Biology                   • Journalism and Mass communication
• Business/Accounting  • Law
• Chemistry                • Physics
• Computer Science     • Political Science
• Criminal Justice         • Psychology
• Economics               • Sociology
• Education                • Urban Planning
• Engineering    
• Environmental Management  

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 Near East and South Asia Undergraduate Exchange Program (NESA UGRAD) 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 from which applicant is applying; enrolled in first-, second- or third-year full-time undergraduate study at the time of application at a registered academic institution in the UAE and is in good academic standing.
Submits a complete application with all required documents by the application deadline; is able to begin the academic exchange program in the United States in Summer 2008; is able to receive and maintain a J-1 visa; is committed to returning to their home country after completion of the program; and is proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application.

PROVISIONS OF THE GRANT

If selected, the NESA UGRAD Program will cover a participant’s:
J-1 visa support;
Round-trip travel from participant’s home city to host institution in the United States;
Health benefits;
Tuition and mandatory university fees (including required books and supplies);
Room and board (housing and meals);
Maintenance allowance; and
Enrichment allowance.

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA

The NESA 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. All applicants will be notified of their status in May/June 2008.

Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

Academic excellence
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 students that represent disadvantaged and underrepresented communities with no prior experience outside their countries.

Download application form
Download application instructions