Its a US Government Program is open for all countries. It has been
going on for decades for kids of all nations but all such kids must
return to their countries after an year or so, I'm not sure. Its
called Student Exchange Program because similarly American School
kids go live in other countries.
--- In alochona@yahoogroups.com, Cyrus <thoughtocrat@...> wrote:
>
> I don't see Bangladesh's name listed anywhere on their website. The
story is about a Pakistani kid, and not sure how "Bangladeshi kids
live and stay free in the US?
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: maqsud omaba <maqsudo@...>
> >
> re: student programme
> ------------ --------- -
>
> many thanks for such useful information, for parents + students.
> Indeed we can learn more about fine and bright aspects of life,
from this site, other then depressing news of Bdeshi politicians! !!
>
> Good job.
>
> Khoda hafez.
>
> dr. maqsud omar
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> To: alochona@yahoogroup s.com
> From: turkman@sbcglobal. net
> Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:19:31 -0800
> Subject: [ALOCHONA] Exchange Student Program
>
>
> Bangladeshi High School Boys and Girls can temporarily study free
in USA. To learn more about this program go to www.yesprograms. org.
> ------------ --------
>
> When 16-year-old Komal Ali stepped off the plane from Karachi,
Pakistan, last summer, she found few surprises.
>
> "Everything was white and glamorous like all those movies we
watch," Komal said. "It was modern and advanced. There were a lot of
white people with blonde hair," she added.
>
> Why does a high-achieving, outgoing teen that is close to her
family and friends decide to live in another country halfway around
the world?
>
> "I wanted to be on my own for awhile, explore my talents, and see
what I am without my parents," Komal said. "In Pakistan, you live
very dependent on your parents. No high school kid has a job in
Pakistan. Their parents pay for all their stuff. I wanted to
experience a different culture, and see the contrast between a third
world country and a super power."
>
> Not that she didn't have a few concerns, or wasn't sad to leave
Pakistan.. "Will people be friendly? Will they be nice to me because
I'm Muslim?" she wondered.
>
> Some Pakistani parents don't want their daughters or sons going to
America, Komal said, because "they might get corrupted or change
their attitude." Her parents didn't feel that way, she said.
>
> Komal competed with nearly 6,000 Pakistani students for one of 61
scholarships to live and attend school in the U.S. Students receive a
one-year, fully funded scholarship plus a monthly stipend of $125 to
cover expenses. They stay with host families.
>
> The YES program is a high school exchange program funded by the
U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs. The goal is to build understanding between Americans and
people from predominantly Muslim countries.
>
> The selection process involved an initial application, a test, a 15-
minute panel discussion and an individual interview.
>
> "During the interview, the judges see if you are capable, adaptive,
friendly, and have a good sense of humor," Komal explained. "We all
need to have these qualities to go to a new school and adjust to the
culture.."
>
> Then there was a 24-page application form, including documentation
of straight A grades in English from sixth to 10th grade.
>
> It was three or four months before Komal learned she had been
accepted.
>
> Komal attends Sage Academy in Brooklyn Park. When she first came to
Minnesota, she stayed with her YES community representative.
>
> Komal became friends with Kysa Swedberg at school. "I asked her if
she could host me, and she asked her parents, and they agreed," she
said. Anne and Darwin Swedberg are Komal's host parents.
>
> Komal said her American classmates assume exchange students are
smarter than they are. "They say, 'You don't look 16, you look 18
because you act so mature,' " Komal said.
>
> She has other perceptions of teenagers in the U.S. "A lot of
American teens are immature," Komal said. "They are more into what
the media say. They think everybody is superior. I think a lot of
American kids are suffering from an inferiority complex."
>
> That's not the only thing. "I've noticed that all my American
friends talk about is boys and sex. They don't in Pakistan. We
usually talk more about academics and stuff going on at school,"
Komal said.
>
> Friendships are different here as well. "In Pakistan, you would
give your life for your friends. But that's not really the case in
America," Komal said. "They talk and hang out, but are not
emotionally attached."
>
> She also thinks American teens should show more respect for their
parents. "They are the ones who conceived you and took care of you as
a child," she admonished.
>
> Apart from that, Komal thinks her American friends are really cool,
and she enjoys their company.
>
> Komal has noticed a number of stereotypes about Pakistanis that are
prevalent in our culture.
>
> "All the media show bearded men carrying guns. Pakistanis are
really likable, hospitable and caring," Komal said. "If you ignore
the pictures the media give you and come and live with them, you will
see they are friendly."
>
> She says the neighborhoods and schools are nice, and most people
like Americans. "It's not all about killings and stuff," Komal said.
>
> She mentioned a few other stereotypes that she feels are
perpetuated by the American media. "Every Muslim man wears a turban.
Not true! And every Muslim man is not a terrorist," Komal said.
>
> She does not wear a veil, and neither does her mother. Komal said
her family follows Islam on a regular basis, but are moderates, not
extremists.
>
> Of the 61 students selected for the YES program, 40 are girls, and
35 don't wear veils, Komal said.
>
> She was expecting U.S. schools to be harder than those in Pakistan.
But instead, "It's a piece of cake. I got a 105% on my Algebra 2
test. That was a shock. I would never get that in Pakistan," Komal
said.
>
> She was placed in the senior class at Sage Academy. When she
returns to Pakistan, Komal will have to repeat her junior year,
because they do not accept the American grading system.
>
> Besides hanging out with her American friends, Komal likes to cook,
draw body art called henna (on hands, like a temporary tattoo), salsa
dance and write.
>
> Saying she has "completely morphed" into American culture, Komal
has enjoyed a number of firsts, like meeting people of other faiths,
such as Jews and Christians.
>
> "I learned more about these religions than I knew before," she said.
>
> She found her first Christmas "captivating" - from the beautiful
Christmas tree to the mountain of gifts, to the excitement of giving
and receiving gifts.
>
> "In my religion, we celebrate Eid where instead of presents the
elders give money to their kids," Komal explained. "Christmas Day
reminded me of Eid. I personally think that Christmas helps the
bonding between family members."
>
> She missed being with her family during Ramadan, the Muslim
holiday, but she attended a mosque for Eid prayers, describing it as
enchanting. "I never felt that close to my religion like I felt that
day."
>
> She doesn't often get to Friday prayers, Komal said, "but I have
started believing in my religion more than ever after coming to the
U.S.!"
>
> Komal plans to get into A Levels for her last two years of high
school in Pakistan, and then pursue a Chartered Accountancy program
in college.
>
> She highly recommends the exchange student program. "It's a great
learning experience. You learn more about yourself and others. You
get outside of your world," Komal said.
>
>
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