Scholarship and Exchange Program Opportunities

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The U.S. Department of State sponsors a wide range of exchange programs through which approximately 800 Pakistanis travel to the United States each year.  We have programs spanning high school students to doctoral students to mid-career professionals!

Each of these programs has a different application process and timeline.  Please review the details below carefully.

For high school students:

  • The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES) provides scholarships for high school students to spend up to one academic year in the United States. Students live with host families, attend high school, engage in activities to learn about American society and values, acquire leadership skills, and help educate Americans about Pakistan and Pakistani culture. Please visit http://us.iearn.org/program/yes-programs for more details.

For undergraduate students:

  • The Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on Public Policy is an intensive short-term academic program whose purpose is to provide undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills. Further details about this program are available on the American Embassy’s website during recruitment seasons.
  • The Global Undergraduate Semester Exchange Program is a non-degree program that offers undergraduate Pakistani students the opportunity to spend a semester studying at a U.S. university. Please visit https://www.usefp.org/scholarships/global-ugrad.cfm for more information.

For individuals interested in graduate-level study:

  • The Fulbright Master’s and Ph.D. Programs fund graduate study for a Master’s or Ph.D. program in the United States. Applications are typically due in May.  Please visit https://www.usefp.org/scholarships/fulbright-degree.cfm for more details.
  • The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program brings young and mid-career professionals from developing countries to the United States for a year of non-degree, graduate-level study and professional collaboration with U.S. counterparts, with professional focus areas that include public policy, educational administration, law and human rights, economic development, public health policy, journalism, and technology policy. Applications are typically due in July. Please visit https://www.usefp.org/scholarships/humphrey.cfm for more details.
  • The Fulbright Scholar Program funds up to 10 months of lectureship, post-doctoral research, or a combination of the two for selected Pakistani scholars at a U.S. college or university. Applications are typically due in October.  Please visit https://www.usefp.org/scholarships/fulbright-scholar.cfm for more details.

For Educators:

  • The Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program provides Pakistani secondary school teachers of English from government and foundation schools with the opportunity to develop expertise in their subject area, enhance their teaching skills and English proficiency, and increase their knowledge about the United States. The program is offered to in-service English Language teachers only.

The program is focused on building expertise in best practice teaching methodologies and techniques, including development of lesson planning skills, assessment techniques, and teaching strategies. The program also includes instructional technology training in the use of computers for Internet, word processing and as teaching tools. Participants will also engage in a host university organized, 40-hour field experience at a local secondary school. Trips to U.S. cultural sites, civic activities, and academic support will be provided for participants throughout the program.  For more information about the TEA program, see http://tea.org.pk/

  • The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant program sends teachers of the English language to a U.S. institution to improve their English teaching skills. These participants also teach Urdu, Pashto, or Punjabi at selected U.S. campuses during their 9-month program.  Applications are typically due in July.  Please visit https://www.usefp.org/scholarships/flta.cfm for more details.

For Space, Science, and Technology Enthusiasts:

  • NASA offers several online competitions for students and young leaders. For current student competitions, please visit: https://www.nasa.gov/stem  (not all programs, opportunities, and competitions are open to international students).

For Professionals:

  • Professional Fellows Exchange Program – Economic Empowerment: Connects mid-level emerging leaders in small or start-up business ventures, business administration, government, NGOs, business education, incubation hubs, community training programs or social entrepreneurship from Pakistan, India, Nepal and Kazakhstan into working small businesses in Oklahoma and connects them with one of America’s leading universities for a five-week professional exchange that includes a professional fellowship placement at an American small business organization. For more information, visit: http://www.ou.edu/web/
  • The Professional Fellows Program – Governance and Society: Through this two-way exchange for emerging leaders ages 25-40 from India, Pakistan, Nepal, and the United States, participants will exchange ideas and best practices, while also improving leadership skills and developing sustainable and enduring linkages with professional counterparts. Participants will be matched with a U.S. organization or government office for a professional fellowship in order to increase their understanding of the U.S. legislative process. For more information, visit https://www.worldlearning.org/program/professional-fellows-for-governance-and-society-south-and-central-asia/.
  • Professional Fellows Exchange Program (PFP) – Entrepreneurship: This two-way, global exchange program is designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States. PFP participants are placed in intensive 5-6 week fellowships in non-profit organizations, private sector businesses, and government offices across the United States for an individually tailored professional development experience. For more information, visit http://www.ou.edu/web/

For Aspiring Writers and Musicians:

  • University of Iowa’s International Writing Program (IWP) is the oldest and largest multinational writing residency in the IWP annually brings outstanding authors from every continent to the University of Iowa. The goal of the IWP is to provide authors a one-of-a-kind inter-cultural opportunity and the time and space to write, read, translate, study, conduct research, travel, give readings, stage work, and become part of the vibrant literary and academic community at the university and in Iowa City. For more information, visit https://iwp.uiowa.edu/residency .
  • Between the Lines is a program where the University of Iowa invites young writers, ages 16-19, for a cultural exchange program that focuses on the art and craft of creative writing. Participants come together for an intensive two-week session, spending their days in creative writing workshops and global literature seminars designed to foster a love of world Faculty include prize-winning poets and writers from the U.S. and abroad, who are also experienced creative writing teachers. For more information, visit https://iwp.uiowa.edu/programs/between-the-lines .
  • Since 2012, One Beat has brought musicians ages 19-35 from around the world to the United States for one month each fall to collaboratively write, produce, and perform original music, and develop strategies for arts-based social engagement. For more information, visit https://1beat.org/mission/

For Journalists:

  • The U.S.-Pakistan Professional Partnership Program for Urdu-Speaking Journalists sends Pakistani journalists to the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication, at the University of Oklahoma, for a news media exposure, training and exchange program. Applications are typically due in September.  Please visit http://www.uksresearch.com/for more information.

After an Exchange…

Exchange program participants have the opportunity to join the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network upon returning to Pakistan. For more information about our alumni programs, click here: https://pk.usembassy.gov/education-culture/alumni/ 

Additional Information 

For additional details about exchange programs operated worldwide by the U.S. Department of State, please visit https://eca.state.gov/programs-initiatives 

 

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