I am Muhammad Furqan Khattak from Pakistan. I was selected for the U.S. State Department funded cultural exchange scholarship to study a semester at Upper Iowa University this 2012 spring semester. About 200 students from different parts of Pakistan were selected for the prestigious exchange program, "Global UGRAD Pakistan."
Since I started this journey, I had a lot of preconceived ideas about the United States. Curiosity and excitement were all over me. The journey was amazing. Most of the scholarship fellows congregated at the Islamabad Benazir Bhutto International Airport to fly to the U.S.A.
I had never traveled outside of the country before, so to travel to a country across the ocean from Pakistan was a completely different experience. I will never forget the moment when I landed on WDC's Dulles Airport. For me, coming from a small under privileged area to the world's most diverse and advanced nation, has been an overwhelming experience. It feels like a beautiful blissful dream. This was a day I could take pride in, because I was in another country representing my nation.
In addition to all of this, I was sentimental, as I lost my father recently and was thinking about him each time I took pride in my achievement. I think he was a great source of inspiration in my life and he always backed me up in every crucial moment of my life.
After arriving at the Cedar Rapids Airport, I was received by my advisor, Ben Onyango. He told me to sit in the car and I instinctively went to the left side of the car, not realizing that the cars have a left-hand drive in the U.S.. There I said to myself, "Welcome to AMERICA!" Well, many things were still to come which would make me just as amazed.
Here at Upper Iowa University (UIU) I made some friends in a very short time. My roommate is very caring and I am getting along pretty well with the locals. Everyone I have met here is quite friendly, I was very observant. I was comparing everything I experienced in this new culture to what we have back home. For instance, in the cafeteria I observed that you help yourself and after eating the meal everyone carries their trays to a trash bin.
In the SDC Museum, I saw American families who brought their children to show them movies in order to acquaint them with their past glory and history. In the media section, I saw photos of journalists who gave their lives for the pious cause of upholding the values and essence of journalism. I saw many Pakistani names in the list, too. At the 9/11 memorial section I wrote my condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. I believe in the philosophy of my religion, which states that "every innocent life lost means humanity is lost."
I have found that in America, “Thank you,” “Sorry,” “Please,” and other courteous words are very common. When you are leaving through a door prior to another person, you should hold the door for him/her so that they can also pass. It is considered a sign of respect for others.
Here at Upper Iowa, people are very proud of everything they have in the town or in the state and they value it. When I went to the restaurant, Fayette Pizza Prime Time, I saw the local school class graduates’ pictures, local basketball team shirts, and UIU Peacock signs all around.
In downtown Fayette, approximately every shop has a U.S. flag at the entrance. When I passed through the roadside streets I noticed everyone waving their hand at me which goes to show how friendly normal Americans are to outsiders.
People have asked me about the culture, customs, family, and social structure of Pakistan. I take pride in saying that after the discussions, many stereotypes about each other’s country were removed. We exchanged nice conversations. I told them how our marriage functions are held, about Sufi music and how we gained independence from the British Imperial Empire. Professors here are very helpful.
Here we call professors by their name, which indicates friendliness in the U.S.A. This is different than in Pakistan, as it is regarded as a disrespect to call a teacher by his actual name. I am enjoying the cultural differences.
Jim Beeghly, a retired civil judge in Fayette County, Iowa and his wife, Nina, invited me to his farmhouse. I had a great time with him and walked three miles with him on his beautiful farm. He works on an environmental sustainable and conservation program funded by the government. He likes things the way they are naturally created. It fascinates me that he never grows corn fields, which is the main source of income, but preserves a Prairie which will save some erosion. I met with his sweet wife Nina, who made tea for me. I shared my culture with them by covering topics like weddings in Pakistan, family systems, politics, judiciary information, and what not. They took me to Victories, which is the best restaurant in town to have dinner with them.
Almost every family has a car. Cedar Rapids and Waterloo are about an hour’s drive, so people often go there for shopping and to buy items from Best Buy, Walmart, Sears, etc. I like to eat American food, but strictly prohibit myself from haraam (prohibited in Islam) meat and alcohol as it is not permitted in our religion, Islam.
I go to the gym for exercise and to workout. Excellent facilities are available like tennis, badminton, baseball, basketball and all the other sports which are played in the U.S.A.
I have been adapting to my new environment swiftly. Now I am better at coping with the bitter cold, too. I take all my precautionary measures to stay safe.
I would like to thank the U.S. Department of State, the IREX (sponsoring body), and people of the United States for providing this life changing experience. My dream is that Pakistan and the U.S.A. have a long lasting friendship based on mutual respect and appreciation for each other's cultures.
Glimpses
of
Global UGRAD Pakistan 2012
