-Sadiq from Pakistan-

April 30, 2012

Below is Sadiq’s full essay on his experiences as a foreign exchange student from Pakistan.

On the morning of August 10th 2011, I boarded my flight to the United States as an exchange student of the Kennedy-Lugar YES Program. Several apprehensions about Americans occupied my heart and brain as I embarked upon this epic journey. It wasn’t just my heart that was anxious about what it would be like to live with an American host family and attend an American high school; the 60 other Pakistani exchange students on the flight  experienced similar feelings.
 
Our distress was understandable: most of us only “knew” a few things about the United States and its people – that Americans love war, and that they hate us because they assume that we’re terrorists. Every time I thought about getting bullied by a gang of students at school because of my religious background or nationality, my stomach knotted with terror. However, all my assumptions were proved wrong the moment my lovely host family, the Chapmans, warmly opened the doors of not just their house but also their hearts.
 
During the five months I have spent here, I realized the extent to which we all unintentionally buy into stereotypes. After listening to anti-American rhetoric by right wing leaders in Pakistan and being under the influence of irresponsible media all my life, I had to some extent been programmed to believe that Americans are arrogant and power-hungry and seek to dominate Muslim countries. I I think that’s how most Pakistani teenagers think, because of the distorted information given by the media about the life of average Americans. Most of what we see on our news channels are American senators or congress members talking about drones and wars.
 
But I think the same holds true from the other side around as well. Average Americans have mostly been shown only the negative aspect of Pakistan by their media. Most Americans probably think of Pakistan as the land of Osama bin Ladin, the Taliban, crazed suicide bombers etc. So it’s not too much of a shock anymore when someone asks whether I live in a cave and ride a camel back home. (I don’t).
 
But during my time here, I have learned that Americans are wonderful, warm, fun-loving, creative people. It is true, as religious conservatives in Pakistan like to emphasize, that America has a high divorce rate and a popular culture focused on sex and violence. But this is hardly a fair or complete picture. Americans value family and culture and religion just as Pakistanis do, and I have really enjoyed celebrating the great festivals of Thanksgiving and Christmas, visiting churches and synagogues, and experiencing different flavors of American culture. I have also  tried to convey the positive sides of my culture, country and religion to family and friends here. Pakistan is a very new country, barely 65 years old, with a rough history: its chaotic formative years, a civil war that resulted in the profound loss of resource-rich Bangladesh, several bloody border wars with much more powerful India, the violent failed state of Afghanistan bordering on the other side. Despite this, Pakistan has always striven to be an enlightened, modern state, a liberal democracy friendly to but independent of the West. Pakistan has universities such as the Lahore University of Management Sciences and the National University of Science and Technology that are on a par with the better universities in the U.S. Pakistan has produced Nobel Prize-winning scientists and the fourth-highest number of foreign-born physicians practicing in the U.S. And our religion, Islam, is devoted to building and maintaining a peaceful and just society, despite what you might hear from “haters” in the  media.

To learn more about AFS hosting opportunities, please visit http://www.afsusa.org/host-family/.

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-Dunwoody Great Decisions Honors Rosalie FitzPatrick-

March 27, 2012

At the last session of the 2012 Dunwoody Great Decisions Lecture Series on Thursday, March 8, 2012, founder, Rosalie FitzPatrick was honored for her outstanding contributions to the group’s founding, development and operation since 1992.

Great Decisions is the largest discussion program on world affairs in the United States. It is sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association (FPA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to “inspiring the American public to learn more about the world.” Each year a briefing book of eight current world affairs topics with background articles is published and distributed across the country to the various discussion groups. Participants in the group complete opinion ballots which are subsequently collected, analyzed and summarized in the National Opinion Ballot report. This report is presented to the White House, members of Congress, the Departments of State and Defense and the national media, among others.

Under the guidance of Rosalie FitzPatrick, The Dunwoody Great Decisions Lecture Series has grown from an average of 30 attendees to as high as 350 registered participants. Over the years, the discussion group evolved into an annual lecture series beginning in January and running for eight consecutive weeks. The Dunwoody United Methodist Church on Mt. Vernon Road graciously provides the space for the meetings, which has allowed the group continued growth. The Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV) is the statewide coordinator for all discussion groups and supports the Dunwoody activities as well.

After Geoff Webber, a long-time participant of the Dunwoody Great Decisions Lecture Series described the many ways in which Rosalie has contributed to the group, she was presented with an engraved Murano glass sculpture, a bouquet of roses and a substantial monetary gift. Nicole Rateau representing the Georgia Council for International Visitors presented her with a Certificate of Appreciation complete with U.S. Department of State insignia. All of these gifts were contributions from Rosalie’s many friends on the planning Committee and GCIV.

For more information on the Dunwoody Great Decisions Lecture Series, visit www.gciv.org/programs/gd/dunwoody. Please feel free to share your own experiences and memories regarding Great Decisions.

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-Perspectives of a 2012 NCIV Emerging Leader-

February 28, 2012

We’re so excited that NCIV selected former GCIV intern, Shakeem Grohmann, to participate in the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) Citizen Diplomacy Program for Emerging Leaders. Shakeem is 1 of 13 students, ages 17 to 24, invited to participate in NCIV’s National Meeting in February 2012 in Washington, D.C. Shakeem shares his thoughts on the national meeting:

“I was recently selected as one of thirteen participants for the National Council for International Visitors’ (NCIV) Citizen Diplomacy Program for Emerging Leaders, held in Washington, D.C. in February, 2012. We were brought to NCIV’s annual conference to gain training in citizen diplomacy, which NCIV defines as the concept that the individual citizen has the right, even the responsibility, to help shape foreign relations ‘one handshake at a time.’ Though I had some experience as an intern for the Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV), I was not exactly sure what to expect during the conference.

Prior to my arrival in Washington, D.C., I was given an overview of the program, and I was getting excited about my upcoming interaction with well-known presenters, senators and ambassadors in the nation’s capital. I knew that the focus of the workshops, seminars and meetings were to be on citizen diplomacy and creating understanding between cultures. However, I must admit that this all sounded very abstract leading up to the conference. Furthermore, I was not sure how I could apply this theory on intercultural and international relations to my life as a student of international business.

Over the course of four days I had the chance to meet with the twelve other program participants – all from different parts of the U.S. and all with their own view on what citizen diplomacy meant to them. What followed were very interesting conversations with my peers, as well as with presenters hand-selected by NCIV for our program. Many of them, of course, practice citizen diplomacy on a daily basis and had very interesting insights to share with us. For instance, during our visit to the Department of State we had the chance to have a conversation with Mr. Ronan Farrow (Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Global Youth Issues and Director of the State Department’s Global Youth Issues office). He made a very strong impression on me, and gave us practical tips on how to obtain a career in the field of international relations, as well as how to apply the concept of citizen diplomacy in our own communities. His ‘call to action’ regarding community outreach and civic engagement had me convinced that I can do my part – even now, as a young student – to make a difference, and to help foster international understanding by becoming a bridge between international visitors and my peers.

In addition to the meeting with Mr. Farrow, the session on ‘Visitors with Disabilities by Ms. Susan Sygall (CEO of Mobility International USA) was another favorite of mine. The session really broadened my understanding of the needs of persons with disabilities, and how we can (and should) include this group in our outreach. She shared with us that very simple actions by schools and organizations (e.g. including phrases such as ‘People with disabilities are encouraged to apply’ in program promotions) can help differently-abled people find the courage to participate in programs and sessions. This was a very powerful lesson on how citizen diplomacy can reach beyond interaction with people from other cultures, but can also include more mindful communication with those around us.

Other highlights included a remarkable speech by Senator John McCain (which transcended politics and provided me with yet another perspective on the very important work of CIVs around the country); a very interesting conversation with the Senator’s campaign aide (who shared with us funny, entertaining stories about this veteran politician); and a ’spoken word’ and poetry performance by three young Americans who had traveled to Egypt and Tunisia during the height of the Arab Spring. Again, I came away with the notion that citizen diplomacy can take on many forms – even poetry performed in honor of a people that have struggled for peace and self-rule.

Prior to my participation in NCIV’s Citizen Diplomacy Program for Emerging Leaders I had been interested in international relations and interacting with people from other cultures. I was honored to have been selected as an emerging leader, and to represent Georgia in Washington, D.C. However, since my four days of training, workshops and seminars I now consider myself a real ‘citizen diplomat,’ and have returned to my community with the willingness, knowledge and desire to work on behalf of cross-cultural communication. I thank GCIV for my nomination as an Emerging Leader, and NCIV for selecting me for this prestigious opportunity and for contributing to my education in such a powerful manner.”

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-Testimonials of Citizen Diplomacy-

January 31, 2012

We at GCIV believe in the power of citizen diplomacy and the results of building relationships between the members of our community and future leaders from around the world. There is no greater evidence than the testimonials by our members and our exchange participants. These are guest blog posts that we wanted to share.

Sucheta Rawal, a GCIV volunteer home stay host dedicated a post on her food and travel blog, Go Eat Give, to her experience in December hosting a Russian visitor participating in an Open World program.

Russian Open World delegation with volunteer home host Sucheta Rawal.

“Last week a delegation from Russia came to Atlanta to discuss social issues and healthcare through the Open World Leadership Program. The six delegates were hosted with families who have opened up their homes by being members of the Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV).

Mariya Yuryevna Solodunova, a young lady from Saint Petersburg was assigned to live with us for a week. She is a child psychologist who works in an orphanage providing counseling to children, parents and the care takers. Having volunteered in an orphanage in Yaroslavl, Russia a couple of years ago, I was eager to learn more about what she did. Mariya (pronounced Marsha) is absolutely passionate about her work. She told me about how cutting edge her orphanage was and how her team has been on a mission to replicate its model in other places. Basically, they hired mothers to work as caretakers with the orphan babies between the age of 0-4, a delicate age when they are most in need of emotional and physical care. This has completely changed the children’s psychological behavior leading them to grow up to be healthy kids.

Mariya and I had a wonderful time together. This was her first visit to the U.S. Even though we live across the world from each other, we found we have a lot of similarities and could converse on practically any subject (even though Mariya said her English was limited which I disagreed with). One evening we had a girl’s day in and cooked pirogues (Russian stuffed bread), drank wine and shared stories. Needless to say I got to learn a lot about Russian traditions. Did you know that Christmas in not celebrated on December 25 in Russia? Also, they do not put presents under the tree until Christmas Eve and the children actually have to earn them by doing a performance or a recital.

One thing Mariya shared with me brought about a self awakening. She said that in Russia people are generally cautious about their belongings and their privacy, and would not leave their home open to a complete stranger. The fact that I gave her a key to my home after only a few hours of knowing her surprised her that I would trust someone so much so soon. I explained to her that we humans try to protect our materialistic things and forget that we came into the world with nothing and will leave with nothing. It is only our gestures towards each person that leaves an everlasting impact on one individual or an entire society. Then why do we give so much importance to materialistic things? A Buddhist believer, she found me to be. She said after staying with us, it has opened her heart and she will now be more trusting of people as well. Perhaps she will sign up to be a host family in her city.

Click here to read the rest of Sucheta’s post and visit her blog.

Yazeed, a high school exchange student from Jordan, is spending his sophomore year abroad in Atlanta, staying with a local family and attending North Atlanta High School. He is here on a full scholarship from the U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program. YES is a program for high school student exchange to the U.S. from countries of Muslim majority population. Here in Atlanta, AFS carries out part of the YES exchange experience, finding the host family and supporting them and the student throughout the year’s exchange. Yazeed joined GCIV for the 50th anniversary kickoff celebration at Fernbank Museum of Natural History in December 2011, and here are some of his impressions:

“Hey – I’m Yazeed and I’m an exchange student from Jordan. I came to the USA thru a program called Youth Exchange and Study (YES).

I was surprised when I went to the 50th anniversary celebration for GCIV because I saw people from my own country, Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan. I really enjoyed the party because I had a chance to see people from all over the world and talk to them and they were actually interested in knowing things about me.

And the first ones who I thank (because without it I wouldn’t have this incredible experience in my life) are the AFS and the YES programs. The second one I thank is my father who encouraged me to go, and without him I probably wouldn’t be here.

I’ve been in the USA since September and I have already made a lot of friends and met great people. I have a really great host family and I love my school (North Atlanta High School).

I celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas here in the USA and it was a great chance for me to know how the Americans celebrate the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

I had the greatest days of my life here in the USA and I thank everybody that encouraged me to come and especially the AFS and the YES programs.”

Feel free to share your own experiences and memories interacting with GCIV’s professional exchange participants.

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-Making a Difference-

December 1, 2011

One of GCIV’s most active hosts shares why everyone should participate in home hospitality through GCIV.

“When was the last time your dinner conversation was more than the boring, ‘What did you do today?’
Would you like to travel to Egypt, Israel, China, Italy or anywhere else in the world just for dinner? Allow me to recommend the dinner home hosting program through the Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV).

The GCIV program brings the best and brightest professionals from around the world right here to Atlanta, people like former participants Nelson Mandela and Nicholas Sarkozy. I have been a home host with GCIV for the last six years now and have hosted dinners for people from over 45 countries of the world. Since I live alone, my dinner conversations are usually pretty one-sided, but when I host these international visitors I transcend my solo life and become a part of the wider international world.

I have hosted a former prime minister, doctors, veterinarians, mayors, judges, a former teen singing idol, television anchors, authors and sheiks, among others. There is a good chance I have even hosted someone who will become a future president or Nobel Prize winner. The discussions can be serious or amusing and range anywhere from home life to cutting-edge science.

What a wonderful time I have had. Here are a few memorable tidbits that stand out…

  • the sheik explained his living conditions with multiple wives
  • guests wanted permission to look at my pick-up truck because they were not allowed to own one in their own country
  • I showed a photo of one of my international guests to a friend of mine from Egypt and he told me I had hosted the most famous newscaster on television in the Arab world
  • Israeli and Palestinian visitors sat next to each other at my dinner table and were friends
  • a guest read the label on the bottle of salad dressing and told me he would NEVER eat blue cheese and asked why are there no fortified fences around the houses

The true reason I host is because I thoroughly enjoy it. However, I always tell people I host because I feel that I am doing something, even though it’s small, for the common good and that I am helping to build a bridge of friendship throughout the world. The famous sociologist Margaret Mead said ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ I feel that if each and every one of us in the world knew each other, there would be peace because you don’t harm your friends.

Every time I drop my guests off back at their hotel, each person thanks me and tells me, ‘I didn’t know Americans were so nice.’ I think it’s important for me to keep hosting until I no longer hear those words.”

- GCIV volunteer host Vicki Van Der Hoek

Please feel free to share your own home hospitality experiences, thoughts and memories. If you are interested in being a home hospitality host or would like more information, please contact Emily O’Harris at emily@gciv.org or 404-832-5560 x 15. GCIV is currently seeking home hospitality hosts for a worldwide delegation of visiting Fulbright scholars on Friday, February 10, 2012.

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