Free education in the USA for foreigners - myth or reality? What to do after returning? How to get into the exchange program.

Unfortunately, there is no free higher education in the United States, by analogy with "budgetary places" in Russia - neither in private nor in state universities. Everyone pays for their studies: both US citizens and international students. However, there are ways to get a higher education in America for almost free - that is, with a minimum investment of your own funds.

Free education at US universities

There are a number of ways for international students to obtain funding to study at American universities. Let's consider the main sources.

Grants

Grants for study at foreign universities, including American ones, are allocated by philanthropists, non-profit organizations, universities, and also by governments. The most popular among our compatriots are grants under the Fulbright program, grants from American universities - such as MIT, Stanford, Princeton, as well as the Russian program "Global Education". The amount of funding and the conditions for obtaining it are varied: from covering only studies to all expenses, up to the flight, accommodation and meals of the student.

“It should be noted that the grant system works to a greater extent for students of master's programs and those who are planning to enter doctoral studies. Money is usually allocated for scientific research in which a particular organization is interested. Therefore, bachelors whose training does not imply research work have a small chance of getting this kind of subsidy, ”explains Ekaterina Kochetova, Consultant for Study Abroad "Global Dialogue".

Scholarships

American universities offer two types of scholarships for gifted students: sports and academic. Funding comes from the budget of the university itself.

Sports scholarships are intended for students who are seriously involved in any sport and are part of the national teams of the university. The amount of funding can cover 100% of tuition and living expenses.

As a rule, academic scholarships cover either only tuition (without accommodation), or a part of the cost of studying at a university. To obtain them, you must provide high academic performance upon admission.

“The scholarship programs are a great chance to cut costs and study almost free for undergraduate students. Almost any American university is interested in talented students from other countries, because this is taken into account when compiling many ratings, - says Olga Kuzina, leading consultant for academic programs abroad, Global Dialogue, - As for athletes, the situation is simple: university sport not only plays a role in the prestige of the university, but is also financially beneficial for the educational institution. The sale of tickets for games, sports paraphernalia is a significant source of funding. Roughly speaking, the university is simply recruiting potentially good players and is ready to provide them with free education for this.

US universities where you can study for free

The third way is to enter the "free" universities in the USA. These conditionally include educational institutions that teach students for free, in return offering work on campus, or active participation in various university activities.

Yulia Zolotareva, Director of the Global Dialogue EP in Krasnodar: “Students work in university libraries, cafeterias or laboratories - no more than 20 hours a week. The schedule is designed so that work does not affect academic performance. Student "workforce" allows the university to partially reduce the cost of staff. But, of course, this is not enough: all universities that offer free higher education in the United States also have a large grant fund. It is from it that a significant part of the funds for study is allocated. "

Below we present a selection of private universities where education is free for all admitted students.

Location: Point Lookout, Missouri
Study programs: 27 undergraduate programs
Competition: 12% of applications receive approval from the selection committee
Requirements for students: proof of inability to pay for tuition, 15 hours of work on campus per week + two 40-hour weeks during vacations

The College of the Ozarks is a private Christian institution of higher learning located in Point Lookout, Missouri. It was founded in 1906 by Pastor James Forsythe. Now the college has about 1,500 students. The competition for the place is quite high: only 12% of applicants who apply receive a letter of admission to the university. The main mission of the college is to provide free tuition to talented low-income students.

All college accepted students receive free education... 90% of applicants provide financial documents as proof of the need for a full scholarship. Refusal of admission most often means that, in the opinion of the admissions committee, the student has sufficient income to study on a paid basis in another educational institution.

One of the conditions for a full scholarship is that students must work 15 hours a week on campus, as well as two 40-hour weeks during vacation. In the summer you can also work and cover the cost of accommodation and meals (about 5600 USD per year).

The university offers over 27 bachelor's specialties to choose from, the most popular of which are: business and management, psychology, communications, accounting, and computer science.

In addition to their studies, students participate in various activities on campus, such as the annual tug of war or dance festival. Several hobby clubs have also been organized for believing students. Athletes can participate in intercollegiate competitions in several sports.

Location: Beria, Kentucky
Study programs: 28 undergraduate programs
Competition: 37% of applications receive approval from the selection committee
Requirements for students: proof of inability to pay tuition fees, 10 hours of work on campus per week

A private liberal arts university located in Beria, Kentucky. The university was founded in 1855 by the prominent public figure John Gregg Fee. At the moment, over 1600 students are studying at the college. About 37% of applicants who apply receive a letter of admission to the university.

All university students receive full scholarship for education. Also, the university provides all students with free laptops for study, which you can keep for yourself after graduation. All accepted students are required to work on campus during their studies (10 hours per week). When applying, you need to provide financial documents to prove your need for free education.

The university offers its students 28 undergraduate specialties to choose from, including biology, history, economics, foreign languages, mathematics and philosophy.

Location: New York
Competition: 36% of applications receive approval from the selection committee
Requirements for students: proof of inability to pay tuition fees, 8 weeks internship annually

The Webb Institute is a private engineering university located in New York. It was founded in 1889 by shipbuilder and philanthropist William Henry Webb. It is the only university in America specializing in shipbuilding. Another feature of the Webb Institute is internships: every year, a student must complete an 8 week internship. Students undergo internships in leading companies both in the States themselves and in the Emirates, Holland, China and Greece. By the end of their studies, each student has 8 months of industry experience. 100% of university graduates find work in their specialty.

Competition for a place is average: about 36% of applicants who apply for admission receive a letter of admission to the university. All accepted students are required to live on campus for 4 years.

Each accepted student receives full academic scholarship for training for all 4 years. Students pay only for books, room and board (about 13000-14000 USD per year). To receive this scholarship, you need to pass entrance exams, and provide financial documents proving low income.

Location: Pippa Passes, Kentucky
Study programs: 18 undergraduate programs
Competition: 18% of applications receive approval from the selection committee
Requirements for students: proof of inability to pay tuition fees, 160 hours of work on campus per semester

Alice Lloyd College is a private liberal arts university in Pippa Passes, Kentucky. It was founded in 1923 by journalist Alice Lloyd and educator June Buchanan. The university offers training in 18 specialties such as business, history, pedagogy, biology, English. Competition for a place in college is quite large - only 18% of applicants who apply receive a letter of admission to the university.

The college provides free education to all accepted students. As in the case with the above-mentioned universities, the admissions committee must prove their need for free study with financial documents. Students, in turn, are required to work approximately 160 hours per semester on campus. Accommodation and meals are not covered by the scholarship. The average cost of living in a hostel is about 2000-3000 USD per year.

The university provides its students with the opportunity to actively participate in university life. So, Alice Lloyd has its own choir, instrumental ensemble, radio station, volunteer club, dance group, math club, etc.

Requirements for applicants wishing to receive a free education in the USA

All universities mentioned above have a standard set of admission requirements:

completed application for admission;
essay;
certificate of passing the international TOEFL test;
certificate of passing the international SAT test (not always required);
school leaving certificate.

An important difference from admission to a paid university is the provision of financial documents proving lack of funds for study... Typically, American universities require a bank statement showing the availability of funds for study from the applicant or his sponsor. In the case of "free" universities in America, the situation is reversed. The applicant must provide certificates of income, as well as fill out financial forms, where he details his income and expenses for the last 2 years.

Question answer

The cost of living for a student in the United States depends on the accommodation option that you choose. The most economical option is to live with a host family with 2 meals a day. This option will cost 160-220 USD for 1 week (depending on the city). The most expensive option is to stay in a student residence in a separate room. This option will cost from $ 300 to $ 500 per week, depending on the city and the quality of the hostel itself.

The ideal option is to submit documents one year before the start of training. But, being realistic, we understand that it is not always possible to do this. Therefore, we advise you to do this at least six months before the start date of the academic program in the United States.

No. In a master's program in the USA, you will study together with American students and they will not make you indulge in the fact that you are a foreigner ... Once you have entered, if you please study ... Therefore, with a weak language (even if you imagine the situation that you were accepted into the course), you simply have nothing you will understand at lectures, seminars! If you have a weak / intermediate English, we strongly advise you to take special preparatory courses in which you will tighten up both the "general" and "academic" aspects of English.

There are many opportunities to get a scholarship in the United States, both from international private foundations and from universities. To receive a scholarship at a university, you must have very high academic performance or, if it is a prestigious university in which all students have been rigorously selected by grades, a demonstration of the need for financial support. Each foundation has its own rules and criteria for selecting fellows, and you need to strictly comply with them in order to get a chance to be considered for their candidacy.

Students who study science, technology and science are more likely to find funding, as there is a lot of research in the USA for which funds are allocated. Those specialties that are focused on economics and business usually require considerable investment, since such programs are rarely financed.

1. You can stay to work in the United States for 1 year under the program of "vocational training". In fact, such work can be equated to professional development - obtaining professional practical skills.
? 2. You can stay to work in the United States for 3 years (with the right to extend up to six years) if, after graduation, your American employer initiates the procedure for obtaining an H-1B visa ("visa for specialists") for you. In this case, an employee is required to have an education of at least a Bachelor's degree and an unexpired I-94 card (it is issued in addition to an F1 visa upon entering the country). Is employment guaranteed after receiving education in the United States? Of course not! HOWEVER, experience shows that everyone who is really interested in a job and everyone who makes an effort to find an employer gets a job! Each university has a special department that helps with employment - something like an "employment service". They have their own database of employers, they hold "job fairs", and companies turn to them in search of young specialists. As a rule, it all depends on the job applicant: how well he studied, how well he wrote a resume and how the personal interview went.

It is possible, if in advance to pass the standardized tests for graduates of schools SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (American College Testing), as well as provide a certificate of the international TOEFL exam confirming knowledge of English at a high level (95-100 points on the iBT scale). Tests can be taken in Kiev at the American Council, as well as at several test centers throughout Ukraine. It is also worth noting that prestigious American universities take excellent academic performance and excellent command of English for granted, and they do not give special advantages in the selection of students. Top universities often look at student motivation, social engagement, extracurricular achievement and talent.

How to leave for the USA

For many, America is the country of El Dorado, where you can easily make money, where the sun is constantly shining and everyone is happy. Thanks to Hollywood films, many people think that everything is very easy in the USA and everyone is waiting for us. However, the reality turns out to be much more prosaic. And we must be ready for this.

The first disappointment can provide us ... our diploma. Most Ukrainian and Russian diplomas are not recognized by US employers, or only qualify for a limited number of vacancies.

Everything is much easier if you plan to get a local American education.

However, one should not dismiss the vital baggage that they managed to accumulate at home. Sometimes you will have to fight for the recognition of your qualifications, but it will be worth it.

If you have a diploma from a domestic university, and you want to work in your specialty, you need to start evaluating (equating) the diploma, the success of which is not always unambiguous. It is best to do this while still in your home country before traveling abroad. There are a number of good reasons for this.

At home, you can get comprehensive advice on issues of interest to you, in particular about the procedure for reissuing a diploma, what is equivalent to your diploma in a certain set of specialties, and even where to go to study abroad, and whether you need it at all. In addition, foreign firms most often work with original documents. And if the original of the diploma is lost during the transfer, you will also have to spend time on restoring documents.

How to recognize a Ukrainian / Russian diploma in the USA

It is necessary to reissue the diploma for those who plan to continue their studies in the USA, Canada or Western European countries, as well as those who want to get a job in their specialty in these countries. Re-issuance of a diploma is also necessary in the case of incomplete higher education. This prudent step will save you time and significant money, since the American university will credit you for the subjects that you passed at the Ukrainian university.

Alas, educational documents obtained in the CIS countries are completely unfamiliar to a Western employer. In particular, the entry in the diploma "specialist" or the scientific degree "candidate of technical sciences" are terms that do not cause confusion only in the post-Soviet states.

In order for a US employer to determine your level of education, he needs to compare it with a Western one, for which it is necessary to go through the procedure of equating our diploma to the American equivalent.

What is this Evaluation procedure? Evaluation is the definition of the conformity of education received in other countries with American norms and standards in terms of the nature of the specialty, the nature and number of disciplines studied, academic hours taken, practical classes and exams passed.

Reissuance according to the American standard is subject to documents on higher and incomplete higher, secondary special and secondary education, on the assignment of academic degrees of candidate and doctor of science with appropriate confirmation in the United States. This also applies to those diplomas in which "bachelor" or "master" is already written. The re-issuance of new diplomas is carried out in order to be able to compare and contrast the level of training of our bachelor and an American graduate who also has a Bachelors Degree degree.

To validate your diploma and receive an equivalent US diploma, send a copy of it to the specialist firm of your choice. The qualification commission will evaluate the diploma based on a comparative analysis of the relevant American curricula and an extract from the Ukrainian diploma. Our academic hours are converted into credits and grades into grades, after which the GPA (Grade Point Average) value is set.

The result of the entire procedure will be the so-called Evaluation Report and a certificate of a degree equivalent to the American one. This document is already generally accepted in the world and provides American employers with comprehensive information regarding the level of your education. Your level of education is recognized by all educational institutions and employers in the USA, Canada and most Western European countries according to the diploma reissued according to the American standard.

It may also happen that the degree obtained after the evaluation will be lower than that indicated in the national diploma. Dont be upset. To improve your qualifications, you just need to finish your studies a little, which will already be much easier to do with an initial American diploma.

And if you have a medical or legal education, you will have to go through a more complex evaluation procedure, since in the United States they are especially attentive to such professions.

How to travel to the USA?

The flow of people striving to America continues today. However, now the increase in population due to immigrants for the States has become economically disadvantageous. Therefore, in recent years, the government has begun to more carefully weed out those who want to replenish the number of American citizens, and now, in order to stay to live and work in the United States, they have to go to various tricks.

Fictitious marriage or marriage of convenience?

The method is more popular among girls, but there are also men who also want to go this way. By marrying an American citizen, you automatically receive a green card (green card, the official name of the United States Permanent Resident Card - an identity card or the so-called identification card that confirms the presence of a residence permit for a person who is not a US citizen and provides the right to work in the territory of this country).

Finding a fictitious spouse is easy. There are enough people who want to get married for a couple of thousand dollars. However, this path can become thorny. According to the law, your intentions must be carefully checked by the migration service.

You will be tested in every possible way, forcing you to answer tricky trick questions such as: "What does your husband prefer to read at night?", "Under what circumstances did your first kiss occur?", "How many pairs of shoes does your wife have?" etc. More than a lot of questions are asked (there are more than 150 of them in the list of valid questions) For completeness, checks can communicate with neighbors and visit.

In this case, you will receive a temporary Green Card. And if you cannot convince the immigration service of the sincerity of your feelings, you will at best be deported and banned from entering the United States for life, and at worst - with a preliminary imprisonment.

It is better to create a real family, since Slavic girls are in great demand among American grooms.

Another way to get a green card is to give birth to a child in the United States, and the child immediately becomes a full American citizen.

Apply for political asylum

Arriving in the States on a tourist visa, you can stay there forever by asking for political asylum. In this case, you only need to prove that for many years in your state you have been infringed on your rights and treated you as second-class people. In this case, you cannot do without a lawyer, who costs a lot of money.

You can independently tell a story about how cruelly your freedoms and rights are being infringed in your country - according to political views, ethnicity, ethics, religion, etc.

In any case, this method is intended exclusively for those who are really persecuted at home. If this is not the case, you will not only have to make a deal with your conscience, which we do not advise you, but you will also have to collect a database of evidence. To obtain asylum, you must provide:

Evidence of harassment (for example, reports of beatings, etc.);

Evidence that the state is not able to protect you from persecution (for example, copies of refusals to initiate a criminal case on the fact of beating, etc.);

Evidence that such persecution is, in principle, possible in your country of residence (for example, that anti-Semitism is rampant in your country - for Jews).

America is most often tolerant of oppressed refugees, and does not refuse them asylum, especially the states of Florida and California are loyal.

Another dubious option in this way is to classify yourself as an oppressed sexual minority. In this case, at an interview with the migration service, they may require evidence. More often than not, “unconventional” couples simply ask to kiss on the lips, and this is not easy for fake couples.

Work immigration

This type of immigration is available only for highly qualified professionals with professional experience. The highest chances are for programmers, high-tech specialists, physicists, mathematicians, and specialists in the field of natural and technical sciences. To immigrate to America along this path, you need to find an employer who is interested in your qualifications and wants to hire you.

The vacancy you are applying for must require a college degree and match your education. If there is no higher education in the required specialty, its absence can be compensated for by work experience in this specialty based on the approximate calculation of 3 years of work experience for each required year of education.

It should be borne in mind that obtaining such a work visa is quite expensive for the employer and can last from 6 to 18 months. Therefore, companies go to such registration of a work visa only if they cannot find an appropriate specialist in the States. After receiving a work visa, the employer has the right to apply for a green card (residence permit) as a valuable employee.

Illegals

Worst of all, full of risks. You can go on a tourist visa and just stay in the country illegally. Or choose a more extreme method - for a fee of several thousand dollars, you can illegally cross the desert or ocean to your destination country. At the same time, you doom yourself to a disadvantaged existence. Few employers run the risk of hiring illegal immigrants. They are paid less, they have no rights and freedoms. If you get caught - deportation. Moreover, the illegal family also falls under the righteous anger of the deceived American authorities - they will not be allowed into the country either.

With this point, everything is fine. And American employers are much more favorable to specialists with an American diploma. Although this method is the longest.

Those wishing to study in America need a student visa. Two types of this document are issued: F-1 categories for students of academic programs and English language programs. Holders of this entry permit must be engaged only in studies and are not entitled to work without special permission. There are also M-1 visas for students of non-academic programs and vocational training or J-1 visas (which are used by all participants of the "Work & Travel" program).

To obtain a long-term student visa, you need to provide the embassy with a letter from an American educational institution confirming that you are enrolled in a specific form of study (Form I-20 or Certificate of eligibility) or Form I-20 M / N if you are applying for M-1 visa.

However, the presence of a certificate of enrollment is by no means a guarantee of obtaining a student visa. The decision about whether to let you go to study in America is made only after a personal interview with representatives of the consular service. In particular, you need to convince the consular officer of the absence of immigration intentions. At the same time, there is still a prospect to stay. F-1 visa holders, i.e. students of an academic program, are eligible for one year of Optional Practical Training or OPT (i.e. paid practice) in their specialty.

During ORT, which students apply for after graduation, there is a possibility that the employer will agree to take the intern for a permanent job. Then the university graduate can be issued an H-1B work visa, which is issued by the future employer for a maximum of 3 years with the possibility of extension. The 6-year term is the maximum allowed with all renewals. If a student was unable to gain a foothold at work during ORT, he is obliged to leave the country, and if he could, American citizenship awaits him.

Family reunification

The method works only if you have relatives in America who have been living there for a long time and are ready to invite you to their place. There is another honest way to travel to the USA.

Green card lottery

You can win a Green Card by participating in the Diversity Visa Lottery for free. Green cards are issued by America for each country according to quotas every year in a certain amount. To take part in the lottery, you must leave a request on the official lottery website: dvlottery.state.gov. Of the 7 billion people, only 50 thousand receive it every year, so the probability of winning the lottery is extremely small (according to various estimates, from 0.67% to 2%).

Truth and winning in the DV Lottery does not guarantee a residence permit: if a person won the lottery, but does not meet the immigration requirements, he will not be able to move to America.

You can also get a card by marrying one of the lottery winners.

“Don't like it in Russia? So go to your America! " - can often be found on the net. By the way, I could have gone to America and Europe long ago, and indeed to any country in the world (except Turkmenistan). At least on the ocean shore, at least in a comfortable big city. But I do not want. I feel good here too. So far, I don't see any reason to get out of Russia. Moreover, to blame in the USA. No, are you serious? There is also no normal coffee, money is demanded from you for every sneeze, but to pay huge American taxes? Okay, even if all this suits you, how can a normal person live in a country where everything is measured in inches, miles, feet and Fahrenheit? I pass! But if you suddenly decide to dump in the USA, I have collected 10 ways for you. Don't thank!

1. Win a green card

A green card is a certificate that gives you the right to live and work in the United States. Every year, the United States holds a lottery in which 55 thousand green cards are drawn. All educated or working residents of countries with low US immigration are eligible to participate. To do this, you need to fill out a questionnaire on the website of the American government and wait for the computer to select the winners.

If suddenly you are lucky (the chance of winning a green card is about 1 in 200), then you will need to fill out a questionnaire, go through a medical examination, collect a huge package of documents and then come for an interview at the US Embassy. If all goes well, then it will be possible to sell the property and leave for America.

2. Get a job offer

If you convince any American company that it needs an employee like you, then with its help you can get yourself a work visa. There are two types of work visas - H1B and L1. The H1B visa is issued to qualified workers for a period of 3 years. But they have a limit - only 65 thousand people can get them a year. The employer will submit the visa documents for you, while he must prove that he could not find a suitable American for the promised position.

The L1 visa is issued to senior managers who wish to open a representative office of their company in the United States. If you have your own company with a good annual turnover and at least three employees, then you have every chance of getting one. To do this, you will need to collect a huge package of documents, move to the USA, make the branch profitable, and then you can apply for an extension of a work visa or a green card.

3. Being gay

If you are gay and you are being harassed, you can ask the US for asylum. To do this, you will need to come to the United States on a regular tourist visa and submit an application to the Citizenship and Immigration Service. In this case, you will need to prove that you were persecuted in your home country or may be subjected to it in the future. Documented descriptions of cases of violence, beatings and murders of gays and transgender people are suitable as evidence. After submitting your application, you will be called for an interview and, depending on the outcome, you will be allowed to stay in the United States or sent home.

4. Be talented

If you are an outstanding athlete, musician, scientist, writer, dancer or businessman, then you can apply for an O1 visa. This is another type of work visa, so an American who wants to hire you or promote your talent must apply for it. You will need to provide all evidence of your talent - certificates, diplomas, recorded albums, paintings, recordings from concerts and everything else that can confirm your talent. Consideration of the application takes several months.

5. Get political asylum

As with gay immigration, in order to be granted asylum, you will need to prove that your well-being in your home country is in danger. You will need to indicate who exactly is oppressing you - the state itself or simply evil people from whom the police refuse to protect you. Cases of persecution due to political views, religious beliefs, ethnicity, or membership of a social group are eligible for filing. After submitting the application, the Citizenship and Immigration Service will carefully check everything and then inform you of its decision.

6. Get married or get married

You can enter into a sham marriage with an American citizen and apply for a green card. There are even special intermediaries who can easily find you a pair for a certain amount. But in an interview before applying for a green card, you will need to prove that your marriage is real. You have to live together, tell the same stories about joint vacations, visit each other's parents, have common accounts, mutual friends and a bunch of joint photos.

If the fictitious marriage is revealed, then you will face five years in prison or a huge fine. Also, when looking for a fictitious lover, there is a great chance to run into scammers who will leave you for money or start blackmailing you. Therefore, the best option is to marry an American or marry an American for love.

7. Survive "physical and psychological shocks"

To settle in America, you can try to apply for a U visa - it is also called the "victim visa". You will be given it if you are a victim or witness of a serious crime committed in the United States. It can be violence, slave trade, kidnapping and murder. The essence of the "victim visa" is that America grants you a residence permit in exchange for help solving a crime.

The visa is valid for 4 years, and by the end of its validity, you can apply for a green card. It often happens that illegal immigrants pay someone to deliberately stab them with a knife at the camera. If you decide to follow the same path, then you will have to get a good lawyer who can prove in court that you are not a fraud.

8. Extend tourist visa

If your visa is about to expire, you can apply to re-issue it. In some cases, it can be obtained without an interview. All you need to do is pay the consular fee, fill out an electronic application, collect all the necessary documents and take them to the Pony Express office. If your application is approved, Pony Express will soon return your foreign visa to you with a brand new visa.

9. Become a student

The student visa is called F1. It can be obtained for study at US universities or in language courses. To issue it, in addition to standard documents, you will need to collect all your diplomas, certificates of passing exams, an invitation from the university, correspondence with the supervisor and various scientific publications. At the interview at the embassy, \u200b\u200byou will have to convince the interviewer that you are really eager to learn, and after your studies, you will be happy to return to your homeland to apply the knowledge gained in practice.

10. Invest in American businesses

The right to live and work in the United States is granted by the EB-5 visa. It is given to entrepreneurs who decide to invest in US businesses. The required investment amount is calculated depending on the location and type of company. On average, it should be $ 1 million, but it can be cut in half if you invest in underdeveloped and sparsely populated regions. Your investment must create 10 new jobs for at least 2 years.

This program is not valid for Russia in 2018.

FLEX is a nonprofit exchange program for high school students. On the territory of the CIS countries, the competition has been held every year since 1992. Participants in this program have a unique opportunity to study exchange in the United States for free. Time of action - academic year.

The participant has the opportunity to live with a host family. It is noteworthy that American schoolchildren do not come to the family of a Russian during his studies abroad.

Having arrived in the United States for a year on an exchange, a Russian can also take an active part in the social life of American society. This allows young people to get to know the culture of the American people better. FLEX involves the study of the history, traditions and even the cuisine of the people living in this country.

The selection process for training ends in March each year. By April, all students who apply to participate in the program will receive up-to-date information regarding their status.

Features of competitive selection

Anyone who wishes to become a FLEX member must go through three stages of competitive selection. In the first stage, potential participants answer the questions of the fifteen-minute test. This test allows you to clarify how the children know the state language of the country of entry. The state language proficiency test includes ten lexical and six text questions.

The second stage is somewhat more difficult than the first. The US State Language Proficiency Test takes over 120 minutes. After that, Russian schoolchildren write 3 essays in the state language.

At the third stage of the competition, an interview with a potential participant is conducted. The interview is conducted in both English and Russian. Also, participants in the third round undertake to submit 2 essays. The last stage of the third round is filling out the participant's questionnaire.

The main advantages of the program

Many Russian high school students dream of participating in an American exchange program. Returning home, the Russian demonstrates excellent knowledge of the English language. This allows him to enter even the most prestigious Russian university and successfully build a career in the chosen field.

Also, children who have successfully completed their studies in the United States always have a chance to enter any American or European university. For admission, a Russian is obliged to apply for a grant. The second stage is passing international testing (or). After that, the Russian can apply to the chosen university.

Features of the Global UGRAD program

This student exchange program is relevant for Russians studying full-time at one of the Russian universities. Participants in this program will be able to become students of accredited American colleges and universities. Also, those guys who are lucky enough to become students will be able to take part in social work and various cultural events.

Training includes attending lectures, as well as seminars and all kinds of disputes. Russians who have become participants in the Global UGRAD program have the opportunity to get acquainted with the American academic culture and the peculiarities of higher education in this country.

For a whole semester, participants in the Global UGRAD program study American Studies. Great attention is paid to the study of the state system of the country. Students need to get used to. Students live in student hostels. Young men and women from other countries of the world often live with them.

Features of the program

Global UGRAD participants do not have the opportunity to independently choose their university. The selection of an educational institution is carried out by the organizers of the exchange program. But the educational institution in which the Global UGRAD participant is determined is fully in his interests.

Obtaining a Global UGRAD diploma does not imply.

Therefore, before applying for participation in the program, a Russian undertakes to inquire in advance about the quotation of the grades received by Russian universities.

Training begins in winter and continues until summer. Students are required to pass specials. online orientation. Returning from the United States, Russians go through online orientation again. The final stage is a seminar.

Millions dream of a happy and comfortable life in the United States. Indeed, the distant and beautiful land of freedom, democracy and progress offers great opportunities. But going there and staying to live legally is not an easy task. Therefore, we recommend that you consider the option of immigration to the United States through study.

According to the expert on migration policy of the analytical center CEDOS Andriy Solodko, since 2015, regular emigration from Ukraine has increased by 30%.

Types of visas for students

It should be noted that student visa does not give the right to stay in the country for longer than the allotted period and, moreover, is not a reason for obtaining a green card or citizenship. But it will be the first step in this process. After all, you can stay after schoolby extending your visa or getting one of the workers:

for academic internships;
for pre-planned work;
for leaders from other countries;
for persons who will occupy management positions in a company in the USA, etc.

This is a great way legally stay in the States for up to 8 years, make acquaintances, gain work experience and try to resolve the issue of citizenship on the spot.

Ukrainians who travel to the United States to get a university education or study English in courses fall into the category International Students... International students can apply for an F1, J1 or M1 visa. The first two give the right work while studying, the latter does not provide for such a possibility. Therefore, it is worth thinking about your prospects even at the stage of choosing a training program in order to understand what to expect in the future.

According to research by the agency GfK Ukraine, 41% of labor migrants from Ukraine work abroad illegally.

F1 Visa - study plus work

In our opinion, the best option Is an F1 visa. It is issued to students who plan to take academic training in accredited institutions:

language schools (courses from 2 weeks);
colleges (programs up to 2 years);
universities (preparatory courses, bachelor's and master's programs);
educational institutions with summer programs for schoolchildren and students;
universities offering short-term professional programs.

To obtain an F1 visa, a student must have academic work 20 hours a week. One of the advantages of this type is permission to work on campus 20 hours a week during the semester and a full day during vacations (for students in programs of 6 months or more). After graduation, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) authorizes stay in the country for a year under the Optional Practical Training program. STEM students have a slight advantage over other students as they have the option of staying in the States for 24 months under the OPT program.

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Optional Practical Training is an opportunity for F1 undergraduate and graduate students to receive hands-on training in addition to their education. Language school graduates cannot participate in this program.

How to go to America to study

Each educational institution puts forward its own requirements for admission. But in any case, you will have to prove that the level of your education is suitable for studying in the United States on a particular program. The simplest example: you decided to go to an English course - provide documents that show that you have studied the language. For a master's degree, you will need a bachelor's degree and a certificate of knowledge of English at a sufficient level. You must also prove that you can pay for your tuition fees and cover your living expenses in the United States.

Immigration to the USA through education: the price of the issue

American education is considered one of the best in the world, but also one of the most expensive. On average, the cost of training is 30 thousand dollars per year, another 15 thousand will be spent on living. But this amount can be reduced thanks to scholarships.

There are several options scholarship programs:

government (Fulbright and Global UGRAD Exchange Program);
sponsorship (cultural foundations, religious communities, large employers);
uS universities scholarships.

It is important to understand that this does not mean free tuition and monthly assistance. But you will be given significant discount, which will bring you one step closer to your dream - life and career in the USA.