Posted 7:36 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013
Pakistani political science student Pizwak Imtiaz studied at UW-L this semester as part of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program.
By UW-L student Breanna Levine
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Political science student Pizwak Imtiaz, front row, third from left, marched with other international students studying at UW-La Crosse in the 2013 La Crosse Oktoberfest Maple Leaf Parade.[/caption]
Pakistani student comes to UW-La Crosse to gain leadership experience, finds more
The most dramatic difference between Pakistan and the U.S. isn’t the culture or the language; it’s the spiciness of the food, according to political science student Pizwak Imtiaz.
“I’m used to eating much spicier food at home,” says the Pakistani native.
Imtiaz studied at UW-La Crosse this semester as part of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD) which allows youth leaders from other countries to gain practical experience in leadership, life skills and civic engagement through U.S.-based training.
Imtiaz says her semester was anything but ordinary. When she wasn’t doing homework or attending class, her host family made sure to engage her in the La Crosse lifestyle.
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UW-L Pakistani student Pizwak Imtiaz says one of her favorite memories of her semester in the U.S. was visiting the Grand Canyon.[/caption]
“I have had the opportunity to participate in several community events with my friends and host family,” Imtiaz says. “I experienced folk festivals, Kornfest, Oktoberfest celebrations and many other events.”
Travelling around the rest of the country was also part of Imtiaz’s experience.
“It has been very exciting to be able to go all over the United States,” she says. ”Visiting big cities like New York City, San Francisco and Chicago as well as experiencing the beauty of the countryside will be unforgettable memories I will take back to Pakistan with me.”
Being in the U.S. has taught Imtiaz some important lessons and has allowed her to see things in a different light, she says.
“Meeting so many other students from across the globe has helped me think of issues in a very different way,” she says. “Being a political science major, I have had the chance to talk to people about global issues, taking in a different perspective than what I’m used to, and the contrast has been very interesting.”
She also had an opportunity to volunteer like many American college students. “I volunteered for the Salvation Army during the course of my semester in the U.S. and that has taught me a lot about community participation and the role that youth can play in this regard," Imtiaz says. "I want to bring back some of these positive traits to my own community in Pakistan.”
While Imtiaz will be going back to Pakistan soon, she says she will never forget her time in the U.S.
“I will forever remember these times, especially my visit to New York, a trip to the Grand Canyon and so much more,” she says. “I will always cherish the excellent times I have spent with my friends at La Crosse, and I really wish to visit these amazing people again.”
About UGRAD
For more than 10 years, UW-L has been an active participant in the state department program as an ally in producing global leaders and developing global citizens to fit tomorrow’s needs.
“Youth leaders are empowered to implement long-term civic and economic changes in their communities, and build stability through increased local capacity and cross-cultural understanding,” says Assistant Director of the Office of International Education Sandy Sieber.
For more information about UGRAD-Pakistan, visit www.irex.org/project/global-undergraduate-exchange-program-pakistan-global-ugrad-pakistan.
Political science student Pizwak Imtiaz, front row, third from left, marched with other international students studying at UW-La Crosse in the 2013 La Crosse Oktoberfest Maple Leaf Parade.[/caption]
Pakistani student comes to UW-La Crosse to gain leadership experience, finds more
The most dramatic difference between Pakistan and the U.S. isn’t the culture or the language; it’s the spiciness of the food, according to political science student Pizwak Imtiaz.
“I’m used to eating much spicier food at home,” says the Pakistani native.
Imtiaz studied at UW-La Crosse this semester as part of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD) which allows youth leaders from other countries to gain practical experience in leadership, life skills and civic engagement through U.S.-based training.
Imtiaz says her semester was anything but ordinary. When she wasn’t doing homework or attending class, her host family made sure to engage her in the La Crosse lifestyle.
[caption id="attachment_29014" align="alignright" width="350"] UW-L Pakistani student Pizwak Imtiaz says one of her favorite memories of her semester in the U.S. was visiting the Grand Canyon.[/caption]
“I have had the opportunity to participate in several community events with my friends and host family,” Imtiaz says. “I experienced folk festivals, Kornfest, Oktoberfest celebrations and many other events.”
Travelling around the rest of the country was also part of Imtiaz’s experience.
“It has been very exciting to be able to go all over the United States,” she says. ”Visiting big cities like New York City, San Francisco and Chicago as well as experiencing the beauty of the countryside will be unforgettable memories I will take back to Pakistan with me.”
Being in the U.S. has taught Imtiaz some important lessons and has allowed her to see things in a different light, she says.
“Meeting so many other students from across the globe has helped me think of issues in a very different way,” she says. “Being a political science major, I have had the chance to talk to people about global issues, taking in a different perspective than what I’m used to, and the contrast has been very interesting.”
She also had an opportunity to volunteer like many American college students. “I volunteered for the Salvation Army during the course of my semester in the U.S. and that has taught me a lot about community participation and the role that youth can play in this regard," Imtiaz says. "I want to bring back some of these positive traits to my own community in Pakistan.”
While Imtiaz will be going back to Pakistan soon, she says she will never forget her time in the U.S.
“I will forever remember these times, especially my visit to New York, a trip to the Grand Canyon and so much more,” she says. “I will always cherish the excellent times I have spent with my friends at La Crosse, and I really wish to visit these amazing people again.”
About UGRAD
For more than 10 years, UW-L has been an active participant in the state department program as an ally in producing global leaders and developing global citizens to fit tomorrow’s needs.
“Youth leaders are empowered to implement long-term civic and economic changes in their communities, and build stability through increased local capacity and cross-cultural understanding,” says Assistant Director of the Office of International Education Sandy Sieber.
For more information about UGRAD-Pakistan, visit www.irex.org/project/global-undergraduate-exchange-program-pakistan-global-ugrad-pakistan.