Youth leaders from Pakistan received inspiration and encouragement this week from U.S. and Pakistani diplomats as they begin semesters in the U.S. as cultural ambassadors through the Global UGRAD-Pakistan [8]program.
The students were encouraged by Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Ann Stock [9] to build relationships in the U.S. that would last a lifetime and strengthen the foundations of U.S.-Pakistan relations into the future. Stock encouraged the young leaders to take advantage of every moment in the U.S. and build common ground, noting that the experiences and relationships that they bring home will create new networks connecting people together and help them “leave a truly remarkable impact” on their communities [10], as they join the global network of alumni of international exchange programs.
Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) of the Embassy of Pakistan in the United States [11] Dr. Asad M. Khan congratulated the students on the unique honor and distinction of participating in this program that reaches out to the real people of Pakistan. He encouraged the youth ambassadors to help neutralize negative perceptions by being themselves, showing members of their U.S. communities the diversity and depth of Pakistan [12]. He also spoke to the youth leaders about the importance of bring new skills home with them and continuing to build bridges between communities in Pakistan and the U.S. by sharing their U.S. experience at home.
Speaking to DCM Khan, student Sara from Lahore, said that she wanted the people she meets in the U.S. to love Pakistan through her. Student Waqas noted that this was an opportunity for him and his colleagues to learn to think out of the box as well as show Americans that Pakistanis are peaceful people.
Ambassador Robert Pearson [13], president of IREX, provided guidance to the young ambassadors as they embark on their journeys to more than 70 colleges and universities in more than 35 states, encouraging them to take advantage of the cultural opportunities provided by through the cultural passport program [14], community service activities [15], and other unique opportunities [16].
The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan [8] is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and implemented by IREX.