The U.S. Academic Immersion Program (USAIP) is a one-year undergraduate level, non-degree scholarship program which places 20 Bulgarian students in select U.S. colleges and universities. The program is open to applicants from all accredited Bulgarian Universities who are in their second or third year of study.
USAIP provides a unique opportunity for talented young Bulgarian students to gain first-hand knowledge of U.S. culture, society and way of life. Participants receive a generous scholarship that covers tuition, room and board, books, travel expenses, as well as a monthly stipend.
Relying on its extensive network of close to 1000 U.S. colleges and universities, IIE is dedicated to placing USAIP participants in the best academic programs available. In addition, IIE supports selected students throughout their academic year in the U.S. and helps them adjust to their new environment and build strong ties with their host communities. Moreover, throughout the course of their academic year in the U.S., students will partake in several academic enrichment and leadership training seminars organized and facilitated by IIE.
USAIP Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be Bulgarian citizens who currently reside and study in Bulgaria.
- Applicants must be full-time regular students at an accredited university.
- Applicants must have completed at least one year of undergraduate study at an accredited university in Bulgaria before applying (applications take place in second or third year of study). Find out if your university is accredited.
- Applicants must have a proven record of high academic achievement.
- Applicants may be in any field of study provided their English language skills are strong enough to enable them to pursue their academic program in the U.S.
- Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in global citizenship, while also demonstrating a strong interest in giving back to their country and community.
Note: The recruitment for the 2012 USAIP participants is now closed. Please check back in September 2012 for information regarding the next round of recruitment.
The USAIP application process consists of USAIP Online Application and USAIP Supporting documents. The deadline for submission of your application is as follows:
USAIP Application Deadline
- Applications should be submitted no later than November 21, 2011.
- All supporting documents should be postmarked no later than November 21, 2011.
To learn more about USAIP eligibility criteria, application, supplementary documents and selection, please join an information session at the American Corner at Sofia City Library 4a, Slavejkov Square.
Information session 1: 14.11.2011 (Monday) from 5 - 7PM
Information session 2: 16.11.2011 (Wednesday) from 10AM - 12PM
1. USAIP Online Application
To apply to the U.S. Academic Immersion Program, please visit the USAIP Online Application Platform. After you have registered (created your login username and password), you can begin your online application.
USAIP Online Application Instructions (PDF)
2. USAIP Supporting Documentation
Here is a list of the required USAIP Supporting Documents:
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Certification page (filled out and signed) - you will find this page on the USAIP Online Application Platform
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Two Letters of Recommendation - please ask your recommenders to use one of the following USAIP Recommendation Letter templates (English Letter of Recommendation, Bulgarian Letter of Recommendation)
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Copy of Passport or Bulgarian ID Card: Applicants must include a copy of the first two pages of their passport with the official documents that are mailed to IIE.
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Academic Transcripts: Applicants must submit transcripts that are signed and stamped by the relevant office (Faculty/Department Office, Registrar, Student Affairs Office) along with the contact information of this office. The transcript needs to be accompanied by an English translation (typed on a separate cheet), if applicable. Unofficial translations are acceptable.
IMPORTANT : With the exception of your recommendation letters, which can also be e-mailed by your recommenders to bylp@iie.eu, your application will not be considered complete untill IIE receives hard copies of all of the aforementioned supporting documents.
Mailing Instructions for USAIP Supporting Documentation:
The supporting documentation listed above must be mailed to the IIE representative in Bulgaria, Elena Hadjisotirova, no later than November 21, 2011 (postmark date) at the following address:
Елена Руменова Хаджисотирова
Bulgarian Young Leaders Program-USAIP
П.К. 280, П.С.София 13
1113 София 13
For more information, please contact the program administrator at bylp@iie.eu.
What does the program offer?
Selected applicants will spend one academic year at one of the program’s partner universities in the US on a full scholarship covering:
- Tuition fees
- Room and board
- Living stipend
- Travel to and from the U.S.
- Travel inside the U.S. to participate in the enrichment seminar
- Academic monitoring
Participation in the highly useful and informative pre-departure orientation workshop in Sofia is required.