**FORECAST EXCHANGE APPLICATION**

**introduction to the APPLICATION**

2008-2009

FORECAST EXCHANGE

Undergraduate Program

**APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5:00 PM, JANUARY 16, 2008**

Forecast Exchange Program

2008-2009

***[A Program Sponsored and Managed by]{.smallcaps}***

***[the united states agency for international development
(usaid)]{.smallcaps}***

***[implemented by world learning, inc.]{.smallcaps}***

Thank you for your interest in the **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. Such exchange programs
have a long track record of bringing future leaders from around the
world to the United States to experience the U.S. educational system,
enhance their knowledge in major fields of study, and explore U.S.
culture and values. These programs also give Americans invaluable
experiences and insights from abroad. The **FORECAST Exchange** Program
is pleased to extend this opportunity to talented undergraduate students
from Serbia.

**The United States Agency for International Development** sponsors and
manages programs throughout the world concerned with human and
institutional capacity development, among them international exchanges.
Underlying the role of exchanges in U.S. foreign policy is the belief
that mutual understanding is of vital importance in an increasingly
interdependent world, and that person-to-person exchange and training is
one of the most effective ways to promote mutual understanding and
contribute to the promotion of democracy, economic prosperity,
international cooperation, and peace and security around the world.

**World Learning, Inc.**, under contract to USAID, implements the
FORECAST Program in many countries of Europe and Eurasia, including the
**FORECAST Exchange** Program in Serbia and in Montenegro. World
Learning has been involved in educational projects for over 70 years and
its training and exchange programs reach citizens from over 130
countries in the world.

FORECAST EXCHANGE PROGRAM

2008-2009

######## **I. Program Description**

USAID is pleased to announce the open competition for the **FORECAST
Exchange Program** for undergraduates of Serbia the 2008/2009 academic
year.

#### Academic Program

The scholarship provides for one academic year of undergraduate,
non-degree study in the United States in all fields except students of
medicine, law, or other faculties that are only offered on the graduate
level in the U.S. If you have a question about your faculty, please
contact World Learning.

**Non-Academic Program Components:**

In addition to the academic component, **FORECAST Exchange** **Program**
participants are engaged in several non-academic components throughout
the year. These are as important and rewarding as the academic portions.
They include:

-   **Pre-Departure Orientation: FORECAST Exchange** **Program**
    participants must attend a pre-departure orientation (PDO) prior to
    departing to the United States. All parts of the PDO must be
    attended in their entirety.

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-   **Community Service:** In an effort to involve the **FORECAST
    Exchange** **Program** participants in their local communities while
    in the U.S., the students will be required to take part in community
    service activities. Students must provide 20 hours of volunteer
    service to local organizations throughout the academic year.
    Organizations may include soup kitchens, AIDS clinics, Habitat for
    Humanity (building houses for homeless or poor people), or
    environmental groups. Students may not receive stipends or salaries
    for their work. Students will be expected to write a summary report
    of their experiences and how they could possibly develop or work
    with community service organizations in their home countries.

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-   **Professional Internships:** During the academic year, students
    will be encouraged to participate in a professional internship in
    their field of study and/or related to their career plans. Students
    must apply to and find their internships on their own, using the
    resources and assistance of their universities to aid them in this
    search.

**Financial Support**

The **FORECAST Exchange** **Program** sponsors program-related domestic
and international travel, tuition, room and board payments,
accident/health insurance, monthly stipend, and course books.

**II. Eligibility Requirements**

In order to be eligible for the 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 of
    university coursework. Students should not be in their final year of
    university coursework at the time of application and are expected to
    return to their home country to complete their university degree;

-   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 (If you had a J-1 visa previously and your
    2 years have passed since you returned to Serbia or if you have a
    J-1 visa that says "2-year rule does not apply"' then you probably
    [are eligible]{.underline}. Please check with World Learning);

-   Receive a score of 80 or more on the internet-based TOEFL test (or
    TELP equivalent).

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;

**Opportunities to conduct independent research will not be provided on
this academic exchange.**

The **FORECAST Exchange Program** does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, sex, religion, national and ethnic origin, handicap, or
disability.

**III. Participant Responsibility**

Individuals participating in the **FORECAST Exchange Program** are
required to uphold the academic standards of the host institution and
the program and undertake full-time study for the duration of the
program. Failure to maintain academic standards or meet the goals of the
program may result in the participants\' dismissal from the program.
Students will perform at least 20 hours of community service during the
academic year and submit a written report of their experiences. Students
will be encouraged to carry out a professional internship during their
academic program. Under the terms of the grant and under the laws
governing the student visa required for participation, students must
return to their home country immediately upon completion of the program.

Students will be placed at colleges and universities throughout the
United States that are selected through a competitive process. Students
**will not** be able to select their own placement. Students will take
courses in their fields of study as well as classes outside their major
fields. Students will live in university dormitories and will have the
opportunity to participate in campus organizations and activities.

**IV. Instructions for Applying to the FORECAST Exchange Program.**

Read all instructions and information carefully before completing the
application. Neatness is important. Before filling out the original
application, answer the questions on a separate sheet of paper.

All forms in this application are to be completed in English and must be
typewritten. To be considered for evaluation, each applicant MUST
include:

-   In the application every question must be answered completely and
    carefully. Please make every effort, however, to limit yourself to
    the space provided, except where extra space is indicated;

-   Detailed essay question;

-   Two letters of recommendation with certified translations, if
    necessary. One recommendation **must** be completed by an instructor
    or advisor from the student\'s university, and must be certified
    with the official university seal. The other recommendation can be
    from another instructor, an employer, coach, former exchange program
    coordinator or host family. Recommendations cannot be from family
    members or friends.

-   Official undergraduate transcripts with certified English
    translations. The grades must be printed on official university
    stationery, signed by a dean or equivalent official, and certified
    with the official university seal.

-   English language test score report (if available)

The contents of transcripts and recommendations will be verified with
the appropriate institutions and instructors. [Applications containing
false information or lacking ***any*** of the above items will ***not***
be considered]{.underline}.

**Please submit a copy of the face page of your passport or other proof
of citizenship with your application.**

**V. Application Deadline**

Applications may be presented in person or by (registered or
*preporučeno*) mail in **triplicate** at **World Learning, Inc, Kralja
Milana 4A , stan 27, Belgrade,** but must be received no later than
**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.

**VI. Selection Process**

Competition for the **FORECAST Exchange Program** is open and
merit-based. Selection committees of specialists in international
education will review completed applications for candidates meeting the
eligibility requirements. The committee will designate semi-finalists to
be interviewed and tested for preliminary English language proficiency
with the ALIGU (The American Language Institute/Georgetown University)
test (unless they submit a TOEFL score report of 80 or its accepted
equivalent). Upon receipt of application, test scores, and interview
reports, final selection will be made in Washington, D.C. **Finalists
and alternates (who have not already scored 80 on the Internet-based
TOEFL or comparable score on other versions) will be required to take
the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), have a medical exam,
and receive any vaccines required by the U.S. university where they will
attend. All of these will be arranged and paid for by the program.**
Participation in this program is contingent on the availability of
funding.

**VII. Checklist for Applying**

Please check that you have included all of the following (where
applicable\*) with your application:

Application completely filled in (all applicable questions answered)

Signed application

Essays written

2 recommendations

Official translations of the recommendations in case that recommendation
is not written in English originally \*

Official transcripts with university/faculty seal of the passed exams

Official translations of the official transcripts if not issued in
English \*

Certificate of citizenship and/or photocopy of the passport's face page

Everything prepared in 3 copies (2 for World Learning, 1 for your
personal record - unless submitting electronically)