54 Pakistani Undergraduate Students Depart for U.S. Global Undergraduate Exchange Program

Islamabad: The U.S. government has awarded scholarships to 108 Pakistani undergraduate students for the 2024-25 academic year under the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD), which offers participants a unique opportunity to pursue one semester of non-degree study at a U.S. university or college. Of these 108 students, 54 have already departed for the exchange program.
The U.S. Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) organized a two-day pre-departure orientation in Islamabad to prepare the students for their exchange experience and provide them with more information about the Global UGRAD program. During the orientation, participants discussed academic expectations, cultural differences, and community involvement during their stay in the U.S.
In her address to the students, Lisa Swerink, the Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy, expressed the U.S. government’s commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties between Pakistan and the United States. “I encourage you to make the most of your time in the U.S., seizing every opportunity both inside and outside the classroom. Enjoy the freedom of intellectual inquiry and respectful debate, which are hallmarks of American campuses and society,” she said.
The selected students come from diverse regions of Pakistan, and 59% of them are women. These students represent various cultural backgrounds and academic fields. The Global UGRAD program promotes cultural understanding and leadership development, offering participants the chance to engage in different educational environments, collaborate with peers from varied backgrounds, and gain invaluable life experiences outside the classroom.
Rita Akhtar, Executive Director of USEFP, stated, “This exchange semester provides U.S. students an opportunity to meet and learn from Pakistani students, while Pakistani students get the chance to experience American education and learn about community service through volunteer projects.” She also noted that thousands of Pakistani university students apply for the program each year, and they are pleased to have successfully selected participants from almost every corner of the country.
Since its inception, the program has benefited more than 2,600 students, many of whom now work in the public and private sectors and contribute to community development initiatives.
This exchange program is an important initiative to support the development of Pakistan’s future leaders and strengthen ties between the two nations.