Anna, a photography major at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSUIT) [15] had always been interested in learning about the lives of international students and their experiences in the US. When she bumped into Umaira, a Global UGRAD-Pakistan participant [16], on the OSUIT campus, she jumped at the opportunity to interview her.
Across the Globe [17] from Anna Schroeder [18] on Vimeo [19].
“I thought it was fascinating to learn about a culture that I know very little about, and from somebody who is from there. I wanted to share the importance of what Umaira is doing – by traveling to a foreign country and opening our eyes to another part of the world” said Anna. “I was especially curious about how someone from Pakistan ended up in a remote area of Oklahoma, and the kind of culture shocks she went through.”
"I wanted to share what good things Umaria is doing, by traveling to a foreign country, and opening our eyes to another part of the world” – Anna, OSUIT Student
During her time at OSUIT, Umaira embraced the spirit of public service and contributed more than 60 hours of community service, volunteering at the local library, and mentoring children at a child care center. She also took her role as a Pakistani Cultural Ambassador to the United States seriously and conducted three presentations about Pakistan.
“Umaira has done a remarkable job of transcending the cultures of her country and the United States” noted Dr. Path, OSUIT’s President. [20] “She has gone out to local elementary and high schools to talk about the cultures she comes from and she has learned so very much about the United States that she can take back to share with her own community, family, and friends in Pakistan.
The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan is supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State [21] and implemented by IREX.