It was July 04, 2007, when the fireworks of Independence Day were setting off when a group of 16 educators and educational administrators from Pakistan landed in Washington D.C. late at night to go to Plymouth State University. Afshan Huma, who is our PELI-USAID alumna was one of them. “The bus driver said, “See how happy we are that you are here”. This was the very first impression of the friendly and jolly people of the U.S. that had an everlasting impact on me.” shared Afshan. Afshan Huma studied at the Pakistani Educational Leadership Institute (PELI). She made new friends that acknowledged her leadership potential. Her networking skills were also strengthened. She is still in contact with instructors and coordinators who supported her in her journey. After successfully completing her fellowship, she returned to Pakistan. In 2007, she wrote her first research paper and now she has more than 20 publications in her name to date. She went for her first international conference presentation in 2008 and now she has presented at more than 40 conferences. Afshan also went to the U.S. for Ph.D. in 2009 on a Pre-STEP scholarship from USAID and returned in 2013. She has supervised seven masters, seven M.Phil., and five Ph.D. students. Currently, she is heading a department at AIOU and has developed a program on Educational Leadership. She is also working with social institutions and organizations such as SDPI, SEHR, CSED, SSD, and many others. “I have no hesitation in saying that the exchange visit to the U.S. in 2007 changed me for good. Thanks to the people of the USA, and USEFP.” Afshan
