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Overcoming Fears to Make Dreams Come True

Mahnoor Standing In Front Of The American Flag And Other International Flags

By Mahnoor Barkat, YES Pakistan, 2013-2014

It had always been my dream to study abroad, but I never knew that my dream would materialize so soon.  At the age of only 14, I applied for YES [Youth Exchange and Study] that conducts tests in Pakistan to select candidates to go to the United States to study. 

Mahnoor With A Group Of Other Students Standing For A Photo Outside

It was raining heavily outside that day when my dad gave me the news. Initially, I thought he was just playing around but then I found out that he wasn’t. There was no limit to my joy. I felt like touching the seventh sky all of sudden. It is well said, happiness has many faces of expression. So, I ran out in the rain cheering and jumping to celebrate the happiest moment of my life.

In August, we were scheduled to fly to the United States to have a cultural exchange year to represent my country and the Balochi culture. I still remember the day when my dad got a phone call that informed him that his daughter had been selected for the YES Program and was going to the United States as an ambassador.

Days passed so quickly and there came the unforgettable day of my departure for the U.S. It was August 27th of 2013 when we set foot in the U.S.A. after a 15-hour flight. Here began my journey and the story. The three days of orientations in Washington D.C were deeply enlightening and thought-provoking. Meeting with students from all over the world and learning about their cultures and experiences compelled me to exclaim, ” this is indeed cultural exchange.”

Since I was placed near Richmond, Virginia, it just took me only half an hour to fly from Washington D.C to get there. As I got there, my host family warmly welcomed me.  It was an opportunity for me to introduce myself with the rest of the world. It was the beginning of my quest for knowledge and global friendships. I joined the high school in Richmond after the third day of arrival. Everything looked new: A new environment; a new place; new school; new people and, above all, new friends.

At the outset, everything looked unfamiliar to me. Things, people, situations and even the society looked different from what I had come from. All of a sudden a fear engulfed me: It was a fear that made my feet shiver, quickened my heartbeats and I became nervous.

Before I could collapse to the feet of my nervousness, I plucked up my courage and made myself determined to cope with everything, but first thing I needed to do was to overcome my fears. I realized it was not difficult. I soon realized that the school was fascinating, students were personable, and the environment was pleasant. Thus began my school. The first month appeared to be a little bit hard adjusting into American culture and environment. With the passage of time, I found myself comfortable in this diverse culture. By the same time, I thought there is the need to move for the next step and that was a huge purpose of me coming in USA: to represent my country and the Balochi culture.

Mahnoor Giving A Presentation To Her Class

The people of Virginia are really nice and I found them curious to know about me, my background, and especially the traditional Balochi outfit I wore. My dress had in fact become my most recognizable feature. My attire was something unique for them. The thing to share and represent my culture is an aim while I am here and it has always been in my mind so I tried to give presentations about the Balochi culture.

During my presentation, I showed them some of my cultural things that I had brought with me from my native Balochistan. Not only the students but the teachers were also deeply interested in the presentation. While my classmates asked a bundle of questions, my teachers, on their part, appreciated the presentations and gave encouraging feedback. Their curiosity and my aim to represent my culture paved the way to practically show what they were hearing in words. Therefore, I made Balochi food, shadir, pesh gwapth material, embroidery, and so on. Each time I made Balochi food for my host family, they loved it and would say, “We’d  love to go to your country and taste all the delicious food.”

YES is not a single-country exchange program. So, there were many things for me to learn from my fellow American students as well. One such learning experience was International education week (IEW) which takes place in November and gives a chance to every international student to present their country. This gave me a wonderful opportunity to learn about other cultures and promote culture as well.

Mahnoor Holding A Traditional Cake And Talking About It In Front Of Her Classroom

I gave 12 presentations in my high school during this week. I shared the rich Balochi culture and students were keen to learn about my country and its traditions, not only in high school but also in elementary schools. I wore my traditional dress throughout the cultural week. Besides introducing my culture,  I learned about other cultures from fellow international students.

I have experienced a lot of new and exciting things throughout these months. I have enjoyed all American festivals, such as Halloween during which people dress up in costumes, go around the community and ask for candies saying “trick or treat?” It was followed by Thanksgiving when one can relish the rich American food and be thankful to God. The most liked festival was Christmas where I got to meet Santa Claus and loved the tradition of exchanging gifts. The most incredible experience of my whole exchange year was New Years Eve at Times Square, New York. We waited for twelve hours, at a temperature of 29 degrees Fahrenheit, then finally I saw the ball drop. There were thousands of people from all around the world and famous artists who performed and cherished the whole crowd. It is worth to experience New Years Eve at Times Square. One should experience it once in their lifetime.

I have never known what American football is but now I am a great fan of this sport. I remember watching the Football game of my High school every Friday night. Sitting on the bleachers and cheering for my school team in the cold was amusing and they were worth all that because they made it to the State Championship.

Without any doubt, this year is enhancing my personality, enriched and endowed my mind and knowledge. I have been enrolled with a lot of activities in high school, including sports, clubs and other activities, but I try to never miss any opportunity where I can help my host community, represent myself and my culture. I am a part of Ruri -teen club which helps us to help the school in any ways we can such as volunteering for Parade, helping the disabled, being part of the Special Olympics, or helping the Student organization for developing attitudes (SODA), which helps fourth grade students in developing good attitudes. I have volunteered with my culinary arts teacher in making food for the football players, during the football season, and also with the concession stand. I never knew how to kick a soccer ball, but I made it to the girls varsity soccer team of my high school, because I worked hard and it did pay off.

Mahnoor And Her Host Family Standing Next To A Snowman In Front Of Their House

It is well said that America pays off your efforts whatever one does. So did this happen to me during these months. I and my services are recognized in many forms and shapes, be it either personal appreciation or certificates and awards. Recently the school has selected me as a member of National Honor Society from almost 1,500 students in the whole school and given me a certificate. It is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a high school student. Not long after, I received a letter from the District for having obtained a second quarter honor role at my school. I have almost done more than 80+ hours of community service by helping my community in every possible way, be it the school community, my community or the church community.

I am really grateful to be blessed with such great families in the world. I am thankful to YES, which gave me this opportunity to come to the United States as an ambassador to represent my country and culture and learn about the American culture as well and have an immense cultural exchange. My dad is the one who brought me to this stage; he gave me the confidence, the knowledge and strength to experience and to explore the world. Not only to my family back home am I thankful, but I am also thankful to my host family who supported me in every step of my exchange year and let me experience new things.

So far I have been trying my best to have a great exchange year. I cherish, enjoy and share every moment of my exchange year. I am lucky to be an exchange student because not everyone gets the chance to explore and experience the other part of the world, America. Truly said, “It’s really a life in a year, not a year in a life.”

Story originally published in and photographs taken from The Baloch Hal


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