Exchange Students Discuss UGRAD Program

Concord has welcomed several exchange students thanks to this program.
             Image courtesy of uzbekistan.usembassy.gov

This semester, Concord University hosts two participants of the Global UGRAD program in Pakistan: Danish A. Khattak and Fawad Ahmed. They came to the United States for the first time to study and to increase awareness of Pakistani culture. Global UGRAD program – Pakistan is a cultural exchange program which works with the United States Education Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) and the International Research and Exchanges board (IREX) in the United States. It is not the first time that Concord University hosted participants of an IREX program from Pakistan. 

    One of the main goals of the program is to increase the understanding between the Pakistan and American cultures, which would support people-to-people diplomacy for a more stable future. Indeed, the program requires the participant to give at least one presentation about their home country’s culture, as well as participate in cultural events and activities in the U.S. By the end of the program, the participants of the program (Danish and Fawad) should receive stamps from Concord University for their Cultural Passport. 

    Danish Khattak believes it is very important to increase awareness about Pakistani culture because “the media nowadays shows only the negative aspect of a society and it is very important to highlight the positive side of my country. Pakistan is a beautiful place, having every type of terrain, from high snow peaked mountains to dry deserts. The people there are peaceful and are known for their hospitality but the media portrays a completely different version.”

 Danish goes on to say, “Also I have found America to be very different from what it was portrayed back in Pakistan. So by being a cultural ambassador I can clear the stereotypes from both the sides”. Danish is studying medicine at Khyber Medical College, Peshawar and at Concord his major is Psychology, because it is the closest to medicine. He wants to become a surgeon. 

    To get into the program, he and Fawad had to write a personal statement and then give an interview. Danish says that “a total of 9000 applicants applied for this program, out of which 350 were selected for interview. And after the interview almost 200 were finalists. Out of which 94 have come to the U.S. in the fall, the rest will come during the spring semester”. Then they all were randomly placed to universities all across the U.S.

    Danish says that his main goal as a cultural ambassador it to show American society the true and real image of Pakistan, its culture, norms and values. “When I go back to Pakistan, I will tell my fellow countrymen about the positive aspects of the American culture. It is an amazing opportunity to create bridges between the two countries. This program also gives us opportunity to complete 20 hours of community service to interact with the local community.”