Every Friday at 5:00 pm throughout the spring semester, Hasnain arrived at the Carriage House senior care center in Denton, Texas. Over bingo and cards, he talked to the elderly about his Pakistani culture, his community, and his family. He listened to their stories, tales of growing up in the US and of life in a Texas town.
As a spring fellow of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan studying at the University of North Texas, Hasnain took seriously his duty as a cultural ambassador. Throughout his five months in the US, Hasnain spoke in local schools, on the university campus, and at the Carriage House, sharing cultural and personal aspects of Pakistan often obscured by the outpouring news in theof media attention.
“People were curious to know about my country, and they often didn’t know any details. I wanted people to know the real Pakistan, and I wanted to tell them about Pakistan through my character. I was a cultural ambassador.”
Hasnain reached more than 200 ninth and tenth graders at a local high school, speaking to them through a series of small-group discussions throughout the semester. Talking with groups of 15-20 students, he led discussions on a wide range of topics, such as the differences and similarities between romantic relationships in the US and Pakistan. “Students were surprised that wedding ceremonies last for three days in Pakistan.”
Explaining the “real Pakistan,” Hasnain told students about the geographic and cultural differences among regions in the country. He talked about the government structures, described major cities, and discussed some of Pakistan’s history.
His host advisor, Aleka Myre, said Hasnain’s drive to talk about Pakistan and learn about the US helped the campus and community. “I think he’s had a tremendous effect on the community. He participates in a lot of different international events and shares his culture as much as he can.”
And now that he’s returned to Pakistan, Hasnain is speaking in his university, sharing his reflections about the US to further his work as acultural ambassador. “There is much diversity in my university. People from remote areas, tribal areas, plain areas and every other part are studying here. Many from remote areas and tribal areas have no access to Internet or other technologies, so my discussions are removing the negative and false thoughts that were growing in their minds. They are rethinking their views, and many are motivated to make Pakistan a better organized and more peaceful country.
The Global UGRAD-Pakistan program is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, US Department of State, and administered by IREX.
