First Person

First Person: Beyond Exchanges

PUAN EDITOR

October 27, 2016

6 min read

By Eisha, Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program It is a well-known fact among the exchange community that exchanges transform lives. After all, exchange is a year of growth, adventure, and learning. However, not many have talked about their journey of reintegration. What happens when you come back home as ...

Alumni Small Grants First Person

First Person: Organizing BUBW – Pakistan to Promote Interfaith Harmony

PUAN EDITOR

October 26, 2016

6 min read

First Person: Organizing BUBW – Pakistan to Promote Interfaith Harmony

By Priya Parkash, YES 2014-2015, Pakistan, hosted by AFS in Camarillo, CA A few months ago, two religious commemorations — the Hindu celebration of Holi and the Christian Easter holiday — were declared public holidays in the province of Sindh. The ensuing debate and dialogue made me realize how we, ...

Alumni News First Person Peshawar Consulate Peshawar Post US Consulate Peshawar

First Person: Chitrali Topi in D.C

PUAN EDITOR

September 27, 2016

9 min read

Saryal Saeed is a Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (KL-YES) alumnus from Peshawar. While he was in the U.S., he had the most interesting coincidence an exchange student from Pakistan could have. His story is a testament to the power of exchanges and cultural diversity as a tool of ...

First Person

Hijabi Diaries: A Different Perspective

PUAN EDITOR

August 16, 2016

6 min read

By Tabish Shaikh, Global UGRAD alumna and Fulbright fellow 2015. Amidst the disturbing events of this decade which are dividing the international community along cultural and religious fault-lines, there is a dire need to highlight some untold stories to emphasize the power of love and friendship – a connection that ...

First Person

Stories from Seattle: The Power of Exchanges

PUAN EDITOR

August 9, 2016

10 min read

Stories from Seattle: The Power of Exchanges

By Vijay Kumar, Community College Initiative Program. How beautiful is the thought of visualizing your dream in your mind, creating its sub-conscious reality with unknown images of a different world; the excitement and joy of being in a different place, meeting with different people; where people who see things differently ...

First Person

First Person: Hosting Iftar With Pyaar in Lahore

PUAN EDITOR

July 15, 2016

7 min read

First Person: Hosting Iftar With Pyaar in Lahore

By Abdul Moeed Asad, KL-YES. On the last Friday of Ramadan, I met with some of the strongest people in my life. It was over an iftar (ceremonial breaking of the fast during the holy month of Ramadan) where we broke bread together on sunset and talked about our lives. ...

First Person The Alumni Corner

The Alumni Corner: Lessons Learned from Civic Education Week

PUAN EDITOR

June 27, 2016

4 min read

The Alumni Corner: Lessons Learned from Civic Education Week

By Saif Ur Rehman, YES 2014-2015, Pakistan, hosted by YFU in Ann Harbor, MI I am Saif Ur Rehman, an exchange student from Pakistan. I have been meeting wonderful people and learning a lot about America since the day I arrived. YES has given me so much to be grateful ...

First Person The Alumni Corner

Alumni Corner: Going to the US of A on a Training Program for Journalists Changed My Life Forever

PUAN EDITOR

June 15, 2016

12 min read

Alumni Corner: Going to the US of A on a Training Program for Journalists Changed My Life Forever

By Aimen Tahir When I was sent to the United States of America for the IVLP Program 2015, I went with many expectations, both good and bad – but I was surprised to find out how wrong I was about the country. To be nominated by the U.S. Embassy for ...

First Person The Alumni Corner

Alumni Corner: District Convention

PUAN EDITOR

June 2, 2016

4 min read

By Mashal Akram. Success is where preparation and opportunity meet. When I came to the United States as a participant of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES), I learned first-hand the true essence of community service. While we had to complete 100 hours of community service as part ...

First Person The Alumni Corner

Alumni Corner: Youth Activism and Rickshaw Wala

PUAN EDITOR

April 26, 2016

12 min read

Alumni Corner: Youth Activism and Rickshaw Wala

By Mohsin Shah. As soon as I got off the coach, a rickshaw wala showed up and offered his services. We agreed on 120 rupees fare to my destination. On our way, the Rickshaw wala asked me if I returned from abroad. “No, I am returning from Islamabad.” He looked ...