Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)

Global UGRAD is the U.S. Department of State's undergraduate exchange programme, administered by World Learning. It brings student leaders from over 60 countries and areas to the United States for one semester of non-degree study at a U.S. college or university. The programme's own annual statistics give 320 Global UGRAD students a year, 63 participating countries and areas and 60 U.S. universities and colleges. Its stated goals are to strengthen students' academic knowledge, English and professional skills, to build a nuanced understanding of the United States, and to get students volunteering in their U.S. and home communities.

African students should check the participating-countries list carefully before investing time in an application. On the list published at the time this record was verified, sub-Saharan Africa is represented by Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger and Zimbabwe only; Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia appear under the Near East region. Ghana is not a participating country. To apply you must hold citizenship of a participating country or area, be at least 18 by the August of the relevant academic year, be enrolled full time as an undergraduate in good academic standing at an accredited institution, have at least one full academic year of undergraduate study left after May of that academic year, be able to communicate in English, and be committed to service in your community.

The award is comprehensive. According to the programme's FAQ it covers a pre-departure travel allowance, round-trip economy international airfare, tuition, required fees, on-campus housing, meals, required textbooks, a monthly maintenance stipend and a limited health benefits programme, as well as the End of Program Workshop in Washington, DC. World Learning places each finalist at a U.S. institution taking account of academic major, areas of interest, TOEFL or Duolingo score and other parts of the application. Applications are made in November-December for the following academic year, interviews run January-February, applicants learn whether they are finalists, alternates or unsuccessful in March-April, and U.S. placements are notified in May-June. The 2026-2027 round has closed and no dates for the next cycle were published when this record was verified.