Dr. Bushra Yasmin is our Fulbright alumna (2016-17). She studied her Post-Doctorate in Economics as a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard University. For Dr. Bushra Yasmin it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a dream come true.
The splendid building of Littauer Center, the intellectually overwhelmed office of her faculty host Richard Cooper and his immense knowledge about Pakistan made her realize how little she knew about many dimensions of her own homeland. “A personality, who taught me how to make my words meaningful and true to their context, is no longer with us, but the imprints he has left on my professional journey will last forever,” shared Dr. Bushra.
The Fulbright experience was a life-changing experience not only for her but for her family as well. The way U.S. kids are brought up inculcates empathy and humanity among them to an extent that inspired Dr. Bushra’s kids and they fully adopted the overall learning environment at US schools. “These learnings are reflected in them when I keep noticing the further traits of humility, kindness, and articulation in them.”
Becoming a better human, an empathetic mentor and an effective leader are a few virtues to mention that she adopted during her stay. Running the welfare projects effectively by Dr. Bushra and her husband both demonstrates the long run bearing of my U.S. experience. People from all around the globe are welcomed without any prejudice in Boston, an academically rich city-a hub of international students, that offers well-thought-out welcome plans and goodbyes, treats and retreats, well-established communities, and what not. “I hope to develop more sense of collectiveness, to have more incitement towards community work, and be a mentor for the greater good. This was all possible due to my U.S. exchange experience which opened up new ideas, explored new avenues and opportunities.
The experience in a nutshell in the words of Dr. Bushra Yasmin’s daughter, Dua Imran, a student of IGCSE-II, “Personally I’ve noticed a huge contrast between mine and my fellow peer’s overall thought processes and mindset. My open-minded way of perceiving things and thinking is a reflection of the techniques and habits I adapted in the USA which became more prominent among the rigid, narrow-minded, and judgmental concepts of many”.