FORECAST Exchange Program 2008-2009
FORECAST Exchange Program
For more than half a century, the people of the United States have supported international educational and cultural exchange programs as an investment in global understanding and peace. In that tradition, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with funding from the American people and through its contractor World Learning, will again implement a program for Serbian students, the FORECAST Exchange Program. Twenty-one Serbian students are already in the U.S. at nine different universities for the academic year 2007-2008.
FORECAST Exchange will provide scholarships for one academic year of undergraduate, non-degree study in the United States beginning in August 2008. The scholarship will cover international/domestic travel, tuition, room and board, accident/sickness insurance, a small monthly stipend, and funding for books. Students will be placed at colleges and universities throughout the United States that will be selected through a competitive process. Students will not have a choice about which university they will attend in the U.S. Students will take courses in their area of specialization as well as electives. They will live in university dormitories and will have the opportunity to participate in campus organizations and activities. In addition, they will be required to take part in community service activities in order to gain a better understanding of U.S. society and values and encouraged to participate in an internship. Finalists will attend a pre-departure orientation in Serbia before traveling to the US.
The FORECAST EXCHANGE Program is funded and managed by USAID in Washington, DC. in cooperation with the Office of Public Affairs of the U.S. Embassy Belgrade. It will be administered in Serbia by World Learning, Inc.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY:
The FORECAST Exchange Program is open to all academic fields of study (except medicine, law, and other faculties only available on the graduate level in the U.S.) and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national and ethnic origin, or disability. Competition for the program is merit-based.
In order to be eligible for the FORECAST Exchange Program, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of Serbia and currently reside and study in Serbia;
- Be enrolled as an undergraduate in good standing at a Serbian university and have satisfactorily completed at least one year but not be enrolled in the final year of their studies at the time of application;
- Be between the ages of 18 and 26;
- Have a strong command of written and spoken English;
- Be able to begin study in the United States in August 2008. Participants will not be allowed to defer until a later date;
- Be able to receive and maintain the U.S. student exchange visa (J-1) required for this program. Individuals who have previously been to the U.S. under a J-1 visa are eligible if the 2 year rule has expired or does not apply in their case.
Individuals will not be eligible to participate in the program if they are:
- 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 working outside of Serbia;
- Individuals who have previously trained or participated in exchange visitor programs under USAID (and U.S. State Department) sponsorship are ineligible. However with justification from USAID, repeat participants may submit an application;
- Individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years;
- USAID and U.S. State Department contractor staff.
Under the terms of the grant and laws governing the J-1 visa required for participation in the FORECAST Exchange Program, participants must return to their home country immediately upon completion of their scholarships for a period of at least two years. Students may not continue for M.A. degrees, or other studies, and are not eligible for extended practical training or employment in the United States until the 2 year-rule expires.
SELECTION PROCESS:
FORECAST Exchange Program selects participants through an open, merit-based competition. Interested undergraduates are required to fill out an application from the World Learning office in Belgrade or at the listed websites. Short-listed candidates will be called for an interview by a Selection Committee and will be required to take the internet-based TOEFL test and receive a minimum score of 80. The final selection will be made by USAID in Washington, DC.
Finalists will be selected on the basis of academic excellence, leadership potential, knowledge of English, and need and preparedness for study in the United States.
HOW TO APPLY:
- Download guidelines and the FORECAST Exchange application form from the World Learning website at http://start.worldlearning.org. (login: serbia, password: serbia), or here:
- Introduction
- Aplication
, or visit the World Learning office in Belgrade at Kralja Milana 4A, stan 27.
For more information about this program, see the sites above, or call 011-361-2462 in Belgrade.
DEADLINES:
Completed applications must be submitted (in person or by registered mail) in triplicate in English to the above address by 5:00 pm on January 16, 2008. Applications and scanned copies of the other required documents may also be submitted electronically at applications@worldlearning.org.yu by the same deadline. Note: Students who are semi-finalists and submitting their applications electronically must bring originals with them to the interviews.
COMPETITION FOR 2008 IS NOW CLOSED!
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