Sister2Sister Exchange Program 2023 in USA
The Society for International Education has announced the opening of the 2023 Sister2Sister Exchange Program. The Program offers eligible female students between the ages of 18-24 years an opportunity to attend undergraduate summer courses at prestigious American universities. The Sister2Sister Exchange Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by a consortium of partners, including American University, iEARN-USA and Society for International Education. S2S Program enables 20 young Pakistani women every year to participate in U.S. university summer undergraduate courses, in mostly Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
The grant of program will cover full tuition fees, travel cost, health insurance, accommodation, food, and visa fees.
Interested and eligible female students are invited to complete the application available at: www.sister2sister.pk
Key details of the Exchange Program are mentioned below. In case of any concerns, please write to us at internationaloffice@iba.edu.pk.
Introduction:
The U.S. – Sister2Sister Exchange Program aims to empower Pakistani female college students to overcome cultural limitations that inhibit their participation in pursuing competitive and lucrative careers. These young women will be equipped with the educational and professional skills, confidence, and exposure essential to surmount the socio-cultural impediments inhibiting their entry and retention in the workforce and enable their contribution to Pakistan’s economy. American University and its partners, iEARN U.S. and Society for International Education implement the program.
Program duration:
12 days - 50 days
Financial coverage:
- Full tuition fees
- Travel cost to and from the United States
- Health Insurance
- Accommodation and food
- Visa fees
Application Selection Process:
STEP-1 Online Application:
The applicants need to fill up the online application form for Sister2Sister Exchange Program. The online form is available at https://www.sister2sister.pk
STEP-2 Online Interview:
After online application screening, shortlisted applicants will be notified via email for an online interview for Sister2Sister Exchange Program.
STEP-3 Group Discussion and Interview:
After the online interview, the shortlisted candidates move forward to the third round, which is of group discussion and in-person interview. In-person interviews will take place only in Karachi and Islamabad.
STEP-4 English language test:
The candidates who get through the Group Discussion and Interviews round take the English Proficiency Test to be shortlisted for the final selection. English Language Proficiency Test is an integral part of the selection process, without which the applicant will not be eligible to move forward.
STEP-5 Selection for Final Evaluation:
The selection for final evaluation will be based on the overall profile of the candidates (based on application, interviews, test, and group discussion).
STEP-6 University Placement:
Selected profiles from Step 5 will be sent to American University for matching and final placement.
The finalists will be notified by a letter and Scholarship Acceptance form from the Sister2Sister Exchange Program office.
Keep checking the announcement section of Sister2Sister Exchange Program website or Facebook page for updates and information.
Important Note: Providing any false/forged documents or information or any discrepancy found at any stage of selection process will result in disqualification of the applicant.
Eligibility criteria:
- Pakistani citizen (no dual nationality permitted)
- Female student
- 18- 24 years old by June 1st, 2023 (Born June 1st, 1999 – June 1st, 2005)
- Minimum 12 years of education
- Must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at an accredited Pakistani University and committed to returning to Pakistan after completing the program.
- Has at least one semester or an equivalent term to complete at their home university at the conclusion of the Sister2Sister Exchange Program.
- Currently enrolled in a four-year bachelor’s program.
- Demonstrated leadership potential at the university and/or community level.
- Interested in learning about the United States.
- High grades, honors, and awards, as well as reference letters.
- Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 70% or higher in the last three years. No failing grades on the transcript.
- Proficiency in English.
- Female students from diverse backgrounds and with limited or no prior international travel are encouraged to apply.
- No prior travel to the United States.
- Able to commit to the program in the United States any time from June -August 2023.
- Students from low to middle-income backgrounds and/or hailing from Baluchistan, Northern Sindh, Southern Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan are highly encouraged to apply.
- Engineering students in their 2nd and 3rd year of university are highly encouraged to apply. Selected students are likely to be placed in research programs.
Ineligibility criteria:
- Applicants with dual U.S./Pakistani nationality or U.S. Legal Permanent Residence
- Have a parent, spouse or fiancé who is a U.S citizen or Legal Permanent Resident
- Student is in final year of university (4th year in four-year bachelor’s program)
- Participated in other United States Government (USG) Programs
University Point of Contact details:
Name: Mr. Uzair Sheikh
Email: internationaloffice@iba.edu.pk
Phone Number: +92-(213) 810-4700
Ext: 2452
Mobile Number: 03131086230
Note: You may get the reference letter from your teachers at the IBA Karachi. You may reach out to the examinations team for issuing the transcript.
Application deadline:
The last date to apply for Sister2Sister Exchange Program is October 31, 2022.
For more information about the program, please get connected to the team on a Facebook Live Session.
When: Friday, 21st October 2022
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Where: https://www.facebook.com/sister2sisterexchangeprogram
It is a good learning opportunity for female students so please avail it.
