EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

The Fulbright Undergraduate Visiting Student Program

INFORMATION SHEET

Prepared by: American Cultural Center Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Last Revised: December 6, 2006

Program's goals are to develop professional capacity in the primary and secondary educational sectors and to expose future teachers from disadvantaged backgrounds to American education and culture. The program recruits advanced undergraduate students who can begin intensive English language programs, if necessary, in February/March 2008.  Upon completion of English language training, grantees will be enrolled in the last two years of an undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in education.

Program design: participants will receive up to six months of English language training and pre-academic preparation before enrolling in the last two years of an undergraduate program at an American college or university. Students may major in education, or in a subject area with a minor in education.

Eligibility requirements

• Candidates must be citizens or nationals of the nominating country or permanent residents qualified to hold a valid passport issued by the nominating country
• Candidates must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at the time of application in his or her own country and have completed at least two years of undergraduate study, but will not have received a bachelor's degree or its equivalent (i.e. the Maîtrise in francophone systems) by the beginning of their Fulbright program.  Candidates are expected to enter the junior or third year and must have a sufficient number of credits to facilitate the transfer.
• Field of study is limited to students preparing to become teachers.
• All candidates will need an official TOEFL score of at least 500.
• Francophone countries are strongly encouraged to recruit candidates who have studied English at an intermediate level at a minimum during their tertiary education, or have had other opportunities for significant exposure to the English language.
• Candidates should have outstanding academic records, references and preparation.
• g. Candidates should have a high motivation and a serious commitment to completing the program, becoming teachers, and returning home.

If I am eligible and meet the minimum requirements, how do I apply?

You must complete a package of application materials.  Applications may be picked up at the American Embassy 602, avenue Raoul Follereau, at Koulouba, Ouagadougou, on December 18, 2006, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 to 12:00 and 12:45 to 17:00 and Friday from 7:30 to 12:30.  Application forms must be completed and returned to the American Embassy before 5:00 p.m. on February 16, 2007.

How does the competition work?

In early March, candidates selected by the American Cultural Center will be interviewed.  After the interviews those candidates selected to continue in the competition will be required to take the Test of English Language Proficiency (the TELP test) in Ouagadougou in March. The American Cultural Center will select the finalists and they must register for TOEFL in Ouagadougou in May.  Finalists will be required to complete additional application materials, which must be returned to the American Cultural Center before 5:00 p.m. on September 10, 2007. 

The Finalists from Burkina Faso then compete against applicants from other Francophone countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and the winners are announced in early 2008.

What if I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Burkina Faso?

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of Burkina Faso you cannot apply for this program through the U.S. Embassy or the American Cultural Center in Ouagadougou.  You should contact the Public Affairs Section in the U.S. Embassy in your home country to find out whether your country participates in this program, and, if so, how to apply.

When will I go to the United States if I am selected?

The current competition is for English language training commencing in the U.S. as early as March of 2008 and continuing through mid-August 2007 with the expectation that participants will then be placed in Masters degree programs beginning in August and September 2008.

If I am selected can my spouse or children come with me to the U.S.?

Probably not.  The cost of living is very high in the U.S. and there is generally inadequate funding to support anyone other than the person awarded the grant.

How do I get more information?

From December 22, 2006 to February 17, 2007, The American Center at 674, Avenue John F. Kennedy, Ouagadougou will also host information sessions every Wednesday from 10:00 am to 11:00.