Cross-cultural understanding: Students embark on US exchange programme

In his address to Pakistani students travelling to the US for undergraduate study, US Minister Counsellor for Public Affairs to Pakistan Jeff Sexton said, “Students are the future of Pakistan, and anyone who spends time with them knows that they continue to aim high for the future of Pakistan.”

He was speaking at a pre-departure briefing held by the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP). Departing in August, the 125-student contingent is part of the US government’s Global Undergraduate (Global UGRAD) programme. A total of 250 students will participate in this programme during the 2015-16 academic year, according to a press release.

The programme aims to develop Pakistani youth through US-based professional training, experience and community engagement, in order for them to implement long-term civic and economic change within Pakistan.

“Through semester-long programmes of study, exploration of US culture, and integration into US communities, Global UGRAD-Pakistan students develop a broad and nuanced understanding of US values and become citizen ambassadors who support expanded diplomatic and development partnerships,” said Rita Akhtar, executive director of USEFP. Akhtar said this year’s group represented many from remote and disadvantaged areas of Pakistan, and that 48 per cent of students are women.

Students will pursue degrees in humanities, science and engineering, law, art and design, economics and business in over 50 US colleges and universities. To-date more that 900 students have participated in the programme, which was launched in 2010, the statement said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2015.