| The American Center of the Embassy of the United States in Dhaka is pleased to announce the competition for the 2012 Near East and South Asia Undergraduate Exchange Program (NESA Undergraduate Program). The NESA Undergraduate Program provides scholarships for one academic year of U.S. study in a non-degree program, funded by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The goal of the program is to provide a substantive exchange experience at a U.S. college or university to a diverse group of emerging student leaders from non-elite under-represented groups in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.
NESA Undergraduate Program participants must return to Bangladesh upon completion of the program and may not stay on for degree study in the U.S. The NESA Undergraduate Program was developed to meet and refine a large and diverse group of student leaders with in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture and academic institutions by engaging in substantive academic exchanges at colleges and universities across the country.
This program will provide full scholarships to outstanding students from non-elite, under-represented sectors in countries including Bangladesh for one academic year of non-degree undergraduate study at accredited U.S. two- and four-year institutions. All academic fields of study are eligible. The program will place participants at U.S. colleges and universities for the 2012-2013 academic years. Scholarships will be awarded for one academic year (approximately 10 months) depending upon the applicant’s interests and availability, as well as placement options and availability of funds.
Academic-year scholarship participants will be enrolled full-time in undergraduate course work chosen from a host institution’s existing curriculum to allow students ample opportunity for substantive interaction with U.S. faculty and students and exposure to U.S. academic and classroom culture. In addition, to help ensure students are successful in their new academic environments, host institutions will offer tailored instruction on topics including academic research and writing, critical thinking, time management, note-taking, and studying for and taking tests. Participants will live on-campus with American peers.
Participation in community service activities for all students is mandatory. Additionally, an internship component will be offered for all participants during the academic component of the program. Internships will be related to the participant’s field of study and/or career plans.
Scholarships will be granted primarily to students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in their home country. However, individuals who are about to begin will be eligible to apply for this program. Candidates will be identified and nominated by the American Center, with final selection made by the Department of State in Washington.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Competition for the NESA UGRAD program is merit-based. Candidates will be considered without respect to race, color, religion, national origin, or gender. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The competition is 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; · Is completing his/her final year of secondary school or enrolled in first-, second-, third-year full-time undergraduate study at the time of application at a registered academic institution in his/her country and is in good academic standing. · Part-time students or correspondence students are not eligible; · Is between the ages of 18-25; · 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 August 2012; · Is able to receive and maintain a J-1 visa; · Is committed to returning to his/her home country after completion of the program; and · Is proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application. Individuals in the following circumstances are not eligible for the NESA UGRAD 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 residing or studying outside of their home country; · Individuals who will complete his or her undergraduate degree prior to August 2012; · Individuals who are younger than 18 years old or older than 25 years old prior to August 2012; · 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 applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years; · Local employees of the U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State during the period of their employment and for one year following the termination of employment; · Immediate family members of U.S. Department of State employees for a period of one year following the termination of such employment. This provision does not disqualify self-supporting members of families who live apart from their parents; · Persons arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a crime (excluding minor traffic violations); and · Current employees of affiliated cooperating agencies/consultants and their immediate family members (spouses, parents, children, and siblings) for a period of one year following the termination of such employment. Candidates should be highly motivated non-elite or underprivileged undergraduate students from colleges, universities and other institutions of higher education who demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. All candidates should have a good knowledge of English. Applicants should have little or no prior experience in the United States or other foreign countries. For more information, application instruction and form please visit this link- http://dhaka.usembassy.gov/educational_cultural_exchanges.html Application package: a complete application package will include (application can be send through email on ShahidTX@state.gov): 1) Completed, signed NESA Undergraduate Exchange Program application form; 2) Personal statement in English, 450 words, typed 3) Copy of the data/photo pages of your passport 4) Official transcripts for each year of university study 5) Official results of the national general secondary school leaving exam 6) Two letters of recommendation from teachers/professors, including one from the candidate’s secondary level institution. 7) Minimum score of TOEFL (iBT is 78)or IELTS (6.0) (if the applicant does not have a valid score, he/she will need to sit for the test immediately or after selection) 8) Two passport-size photos (attached to the first page) Applications are due no later than January 10th, 2012. Please note that only short listed candidates will be called for the interview; for additional information, please contact me at phone: 8855500 or by email at ShahidTX@state.gov .
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