Are you someone who has dreamed of working in Silicon Valley? Or experiencing life at your favorite international university learning new cultures and gaining more knowledge of what interests you? Having to pick up your most favored courses offered by the top universities of the world? Or do you want to lead yourself towards self-development and awareness advancing to enhanced self-esteem and confidence? If yes, then you have landed at the right place.
The U.S. Department of State funds an extensive range of scholarships and exchange programs that allows hundreds of Pakistani students to travel to the United States and experience their educational system as well as their culture.
Following is a list of programs spanning high school students to professionals with already existing careers. All of these have different application timelines and processes.
Programs for high school students:
- Summer Sisters Exchange Program:
Through the US Department of State, Summer Sisters Exchange Program motivates Pakistani female high school students to avail the opportunity of this fully funded program which proves to be a staircase towards exploring education, career, and success options overseas.
Summer Sisters Exchange Program (SSEP) funds courses like science, international affairs, leadership, etc.
They select students on merit for travel after a diligent process of applications, tests, and interviews. For more information, please visit https://fullopportunities.com/summer-sisters-exchange-program/
- Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program:
Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program encourages high school students to spend up to one academic year in the US. The students go through a thorough process of tests, group activities, and interviews before getting selected. They get to live with host families, appear in their educational institutions and engage in activities to gain knowledge of American society, and educational systems, learn and polish their leadership skills and educate American nationals about their countries. For more information, please visit https://us.iearn.org/programs/kennedy-lugar-youth-exchange-and-study-yes-program
Programs for undergraduate students:
- Kiel University scholarship:
Kiel University scholarship provides a wide range of partially funded programs in partnership with different universities from around the world like the University of Aberdeen, Saint-Petersburg State University, Kobe University, Penn State University, and Dalhousie University, to name a few. Students get to choose from an extensive variety of courses depending on the university to are placed in.
Information sessions are held in November every year where all information is discussed regarding the program. For more information, please visit https://www.international.uni-kiel.de/en/study-abroad/cau-exchange-scholarships/cau-exchange-scholarships
Programs for teaching staff:
- Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program:
The fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program is a nine-month long course for teachers to provide them with an opportunity to refine their English proficiency, teaching skills, and knowledge regarding their subject through an extensive study of the US society and culture. They also get a chance to teach in US colleges and universities. For more information, please visit https://www.usefp.org/scholarships/flta.cfm
Programs for aspiring writers and artists:
- Between the Lines Program:
If you are interested in showcasing your writing skills and learning more, Between the Lines Program is the best platform. It allows young writers to attend a two-week session and attend workshops to polish their skills to take back home. For more information, please visit https://iwp.uiowa.edu/programs/between-the-lines
- One Beat Program:
Programs like One Beat give an opportunity to practicing musicians aged 19-35 from around the world to write, produce and make music together. This provides a great platform to learn and engage. For more information, https://1beat.org/mission/
Upon returning to Pakistan, they encourage exchange program students to join Pak-US Alumni Network, which is truly a staircase to greater opportunities and success. So what are you waiting for? Apply now.