Global Undergraduate Exchange Program Global UGRAD. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Administered by World Learning

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1 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program Global UGRAD Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Administered by World Learning TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

2 I. PROGRAM POLICIES TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION TABLE OF CONTENTS A. CONDITIONS OF SPONSORSHIP... 1 B. PROGRAM ACTIVITY GEOGRAPHIC RESTRICTIONS... 1 C. MEDICAL FORMS... 1 D. ACADEMIC ENROLLMENT... 1 E. COMMUNITY SERVICE... 2 F. EMPLOYMENT... 2 G. ORIENTATION AND WORKSHOPS... 2 H. DEPENDENTS... 2 I. TERMINATION OF SCHOLARSHIP... 3 J. J-1 EXCHANGE VISITOR VISA... 3 II. ACADEMIC PLACEMENT... 4 III. TRAVEL AND ALLOWANCES... 4 A. TRAVEL AT BEGINNING/END OF PROGRAM... 4 B. TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES... 4 C. TRAVEL WITHIN THE UNITED STATES.. 4 D. SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING... 5 E. HOUSING AND MEALS... 5 F. MONTHLY STIPEND... 5 G. ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE... 5 H. VISION AND DENTAL HEALTH... 6 I. PERSONAL BILLS... 6 J. REIMBURSEMENT OF FUNDS... 6 K. TAXES... 6 IV. REPORTING... 6 A. WORLD LEARNING PRIVACY POLICY... 7 B. DUTY TO INFORM... 7 C. DUTY TO RESPOND.. 7 V. LIABILITY... 7 VI. TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREEMENT FORM..8

3 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION The Global Undergraduate Exchange (Global UGRAD) Program is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the United States Department of State and is supported by the people of the United States. The program is administered by World Learning. The purpose of the Global UGRAD Program is to enrich the education and experience of participants who show the promise of contributing to the betterment of their countries and to increasing mutual understanding between their countries and the United States. Participants must engage themselves productively as representatives of their countries both during and after their tenure on the program and are required to return home at the conclusion of this program. I. PROGRAM POLICIES A. Conditions of Sponsorship Prior to departure for the U.S., all participants are required to read and sign the Conditions of Sponsorship Form for J-1 visa holders. The Conditions of Sponsorship require participants to adhere to all United States Department of State regulations regarding their participation in this program. B. Program Activity Geographic Restrictions All program-related activities must take place in the United States. Study outside of the U.S. is not permitted without explicit permission. C. Medical Forms Participants are required to undergo a medical examination prior to departure, and to submit the completed Medical History and Examination Form to the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission in their home countries and on the online student portal as instructed. Global Undergraduate Exchange Program p. 1

4 D. Academic Enrollment Participants in the Global UGRAD Program must carry a full-time student course load (12 credit hours), take at least two courses related to their field of study, and one U.S. Studies course. World Learning will approve courses at the beginning of each term. The number of course credits permitted each academic term will be governed by World Learning and the World Learning agreement with each university. Participants must enroll in one U.S. Studies (e.g., U.S. history, literature, or government) course as instructed. Participants will consult their World Learning Program Officer before completing any campus registration forms. Unauthorized enrollment is a violation of the Terms and Conditions and may jeopardize scholarship status. Participants must submit to World Learning the following two forms related to their academic standing: the Interim Academic Progress Report at mid-term and a final transcript at the end of each term. Regular class attendance is required. E. Community Service To better understand the value of civic engagement in U.S. society, Global UGRAD Program participants must engage in volunteer service in the community through the university or a local organization. Participants have to complete a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer service. Participants can consult the International Students Office or the Community Service Office to arrange community service activities. Participants must obtain approval from World Learning of volunteer service activities and submit the community service form summarizing their experience upon completion of service. F. Employment Participants are not permitted to accept paid employment on or off campus during their participation in the Global UGRAD Program. Participants are not permitted to obtain Social Security numbers. G. Orientations and Workshops All participants must participate in any required orientations and/or end of program workshops. Participants who do not attend these programs in their entirety, without prior consent of World Learning, may have funds deducted from their stipends, or have their participation and visa status terminated. World Learning will notify participants of the exact dates for such events during the course of the program. H. Dependents Participation in the Global UGRAD Program is open ONLY to the participant and not to his/her family members or dependents. Participants should not plan to have family members join them in the United States. Neither ECA nor World Learning will facilitate entry of an exchange visitor s alien spouse or minor children into the U.S. Global Undergraduate Exchange Program p. 2

5 I. Termination of Scholarship ECA reserves the right to dismiss a participant from the program if it decides that such action would be in the participant s best interest or in the best interest of the program. Dismissal may be initiated for, but is not limited to, the following reasons: 1. Gross neglect of academic responsibilities, academic dishonesty, cheating or plagiarism. 2. Failure to meet the academic requirements of the university and program of study (poor grades or failure to submit assignments or attend class). Participants must remain in good academic standing with a minimum 2.0 GPA. 3. Breakdown of physical or mental health that would seriously impair participation. 4. Evidence of dishonesty with regard to some material fact or withholding of obviously relevant information in dealings with the U.S. Department of State or World Learning before or after selection for participation. 5. Violation of U.S. federal or state law or host institution policies. 6. Failure to complete the program because of voluntary termination, including premature departure from the host university without the express written consent of World Learning. 7. Commission of acts that bring the U.S. Department of State or World Learning into notoriety or disrepute. 8. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of grant award. 9. Failure to maintain proper J-1 Exchange Visitor visa status. Unless otherwise specified by World Learning and ECA, when the grant is terminated, a participant will not receive any funding except for return travel, and medical benefits that may be authorized under ECA's accident and sickness program for exchanges; the participant also may be required to immediately repay to World Learning any advances in allowances or benefits disbursed for use in the period of time after termination. J. J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa World Learning will provide a DS-2019 and instructions for securing a J-1 visa under the Exchange Visitor Program. As stated on the second page of the DS-2019, upon expiration of Exchange Visitor (J-visa) status, the participant is required to reside in his/her home country for a total of two years before being eligible to apply for an immigrant visa for permanent residence in the U.S. The Global UGRAD Program requires that the participant return to his/her home country at the conclusion of the U.S. program to complete his/her undergraduate degree. Under no circumstances will ECA approve transfer of a participant from the Global UGRAD Program to another program. Marriage to a U.S. citizen or birth of a child in the U.S. does not exempt participants from the two-year residency requirement. Global Undergraduate Exchange Program p. 3

6 II. ACADEMIC PLACEMENT Each participant has been assigned to a host institution according to his/her abilities and interests as described in the participant s application and/or interview. Participants may not change host institutions after World Learning has finalized the placement. III. TRAVEL AND ALLOWANCES A. Beginning and End-of-Program Travel Beginning of the Program: World Learning will purchase airline tickets for international travel between the home country and university. The dates of this ticket coincide with the beginning and end of the academic term and cannot be modified. Students cannot arrive before nor depart after their program dates. End of Program: Participants are required to immediately return to their home country after the completion of their program. Return travel arrangements from the U.S. host institution will be made by World Learning. No return travel with stays in third countries will be authorized. B. Travel outside the United States Travel outside of the U.S. is permitted only in the event of a family emergency or approved program-related activity with prior approval of World Learning and the U.S. Department of State. If approved, a participant may also be required to purchase additional health insurance, since ASPE coverage will not be valid outside of the United States. The monthly stipend may be pro-rated to deduct for time spent out of the U.S. World Learning is not responsible for any costs incurred with non-program related, emergency travel. For program-related travel outside of the U.S., a participant must contact World Learning at least a month in advance of their trip. C. Travel within the United States Participants must inform World Learning of any extended travel within the U.S. during their program. If a participant leaves campus for a weekend or holiday break, he/she is required to inform World Learning staff at least three days in advance of the dates and destination, and to provide a contact phone number for emergencies. Global Undergraduate Exchange Program p. 4

7 D. Scholarship Funding Global UGRAD participants will receive funding for tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, a monthly stipend, health and accident coverage insurance, book allowance, international travel (including ground transportation) to and from the academic site, and relevant U.S. taxes on the scholarship. E. Housing and Meals Participants will be placed in on-campus housing and provided with a comprehensive university meal plan. If residence halls are closed during winter and/or spring break, World Learning will arrange temporary housing with the university, or assist with other arrangements as needed. F. Monthly Stipend Global UGRAD participants will receive a monthly stipend to assist with personal expenses, such as laundry and public transportation, and to cover meals during periods when university dining halls are closed. No other extra funds will be provided. G. Accident and Sickness Insurance To ensure that participants receive adequate financial protection in case of an accident or ill health, the Global UGRAD Program enrolls participants into the Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE). Each participant will receive an insurance identification card, printed material describing insurance benefits and exclusions, and a claim form which can be photocopied. ASPE covers the usual, customary and reasonable charge for required medical services with a small co-payment and begins at the time the participant leaves the home country and continues until the moment of return to the home country. Participants should keep their ASPE identification card with them at all times and carry a claim form when they visit a health care provider. Participants should review the ASPE coverage carefully and ask questions to clarify. This insurance plan will provide medical coverage to participants who become ill or injured, but does not cover routine health examinations, routine eye examinations, eyeglasses, contact lenses, dental cleaning, dental work, accidents resulting from perilous activities or pre-existing conditions defined during medical examination at the home country. The medical plan covers the cost of prescription medicines for pre-existing conditions, with a doctor s original prescription (in English); however, participants who are currently taking prescription medications may wish to bring sufficient supplies with them. Before departure from the U.S., participants should settle all health benefit claims. Global Undergraduate Exchange Program p. 5

8 H. Vision and Dental Health ASPE does not cover vision care for participants, except in emergency. The emergency eye injury coverage has a $300 maximum. ASPE also does not cover routine dental care, such as check-ups and regular cleanings. However, ASPE does include coverage of reasonable expenses up to $1000 for emergencies. If interested, participants can identify and enroll in a supplemental dental coverage plan on their own. Participants are strongly encouraged to seek all necessary dental treatment in their home country prior to departure to the U.S. I. Personal Bills Participants are responsible for paying all personal bills incurred during the program including, but not limited to, cell phones and credit cards. Under no circumstances will World Learning pay for an outstanding bill during or after the program. It is the responsibility of all participants to resolve issues related to unpaid bills before departure from the U.S. Unpaid bills will be forwarded to participants in their home country for payment. Any outstanding bills will result in participants not being eligible to participate in future programs. J. Reimbursement of Funds If a participant has received airline tickets and subsequently withdraws from the program before arriving in the United States, the tickets must be returned to the purchaser. If, after arrival in the United States, the participant is dismissed from the program, he/she may be required to return all monies received. Any such cases will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. K. Taxes World Learning will be responsible for filing a U.S. Federal Income Tax return for each participant for money received during participation in the Global UGRAD Program. Participants will not be required to pay U.S. taxes, but they do need to assist World Learning by completing required U.S. tax forms. Once they have arrived in the U.S., all participants will be required to complete tax forms as directed by World Learning. Global Undergraduate Exchange Program p. 6

9 IV. REPORTING A. Privacy and Confidential Information Participants personal information obtained in the course of the program will be kept confidential to the maximum extent practical, and will only be used as necessary in connection with the requirements of the program and/or associated follow-on activities. Participants acknowledge that certain personal information must be shared with third parties such as universities, airlines, and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service in order to achieve program objectives and meet legal obligations. Personal information about participants will not be shared with, or sold to, third parties for any purpose not associated with the program. B. Duty to Inform Participants must inform World Learning in writing of the following: - Safe arrival at the university within two days of departure from home country; - U.S. address, telephone number, and address, and any change during the program; - Circumstances that would prevent continued participation in the Global UGRAD Program; - Academic difficulties or problems that the student is experiencing; - Change in academic advisor; - Change in marital status or birth of a child; - Arrests or violations of U.S. federal or state law or host institution policies; - Plans to travel during the program so that participants can be reached in the event of an emergency; and - Changes of home country address or telephone number. C. Duty to Respond Participants are required to respond to both World Learning and ECA surveys, both of which are used to make program improvements and gage the success of the program at meeting ECA goals. V. LIABILITY World Learning and the State Department assume no responsibility for any injury, accident, illness, death, loss of personal property, or other contingencies that may befall participants during, or as a result of, participation in the Global UGRAD Program. Global Undergraduate Exchange Program p. 7

10 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION VI. AGREEMENT FORM I, have thoroughly read the Terms and Conditions of Participation Manual and I agree to adhere to all of the policies specified. I understand that if I violate the terms and conditions of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program, I may be asked to repay some or all of my scholarship. If I am dismissed from the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program, I understand that the sponsorship of my visa will be terminated immediately, and transportation to my home country will be arranged for the earliest date possible. Signature Date Global Undergraduate Exchange Program p. 8