International Education Week: Perspectives from International Students

After more than forty years of implementing international education programs, IREX has witnessed the deep, transformational effects of global exchange on individuals, communities, and nations. Thousands of students, professionals, teachers from around the world have experienced the U.S. through educational opportunities and returned home to improve their communities and strengthen ties between the U.S. and their countries. IREX celebrates International Education Week with great pleasure and congratulates the students and alumni who are working tirelessly to build bridges across cultures.

To mark IEW, current Global UGRAD in Eurasia and Central Asia, Global UGRAD-Pakistan, and Muskie students shared their thoughts on what international education means to them. Check back all week for more stories on the power of international education.

The most important aspect of International Education is it opens an ocean of endless opportunities. International exposure helps you work with people from different backgrounds and get ideas by sharing your views with them to help your own community. – Anum, Pakistan

The best part of being at an American university is the educational and cultural experience. America is said to be the land of opportunities. You get to know people from around the world and make friends. The people help you without even knowing you, without the distinction of religion and ethnicity. Professors are friendly, helpful, encouraging, and humble even after they have achieved so much in their field. - Sarosh, Pakistan

If I could teach my host community only one thing about my home country, it would be about the life of a real person from Pakistan. I have been asked very interesting questions about Pakistan and I feel the reason that many do not know much about this region is because the interaction between citizens of both the countries is very limited. That is the aim of Global UGRAD, I feel, to give a human face to Pakistan. For people at Wilson College, I am that face. – Seemal, Pakistan

I think educational exchanges have the power to unite and integrate two entirely diverse people on a shared platform. By such exchange, stereotypes crumble, bonds strengthen, friendship blooms, and trust develops. - Wajid, Pakistan

Being on an exchange program has taught me about the diversity and equal rights for everyone! In Upper Iowa University 23% of students are internationals! But I can see diversity in everything, not just nationalities. – Alexandra, Moldova

My responsibility as a cultural ambassador is not to prove Americans that my culture is the best or to be convinced that their culture is the best, but to learn and understand the differences and appreciate the beauty of those differences. - Varsha, Pakistan

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia and Central Asia (Global UGRAD), the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan (Global UGRAD-Pakistan), and the Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program are programs of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and implemented by IREX.