For our first student spotlight of the 2024-25 school year, we’re excited to introduce Iqra from Pakistan! She’s spending the school year with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the US Department of State in Utah! Iqra shares how her host family has welcomed her with open arms and made her feel like part of the family, while they exchange their culture and experiences with each other. Iqra looks forward to making the most of time abroad with her host family, friends, and American community!
Why did you want to spend a year in America as an exchange student?
I wanted to experience American life as an exchange student to broaden my global perspective, improve my language skills, understand American culture, and share my culture with American people. My main goal is to experience new things and learn about the world. I think this is the best opportunity for me to achieve my goals. Everyone wants to learn new things, and no one can find a better place to explore new things and understand themselves better than living a year away from their family in a new home and new culture. This is the time when you can see who you are and what you want to be in your life.
As a recipient of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES) scholarship, what can you tell us about it?
This scholarship allows students to step out of their comfort zone and experience life! They want to see how far we can go to achieve our goals. For this scholarship, you need to be honest and show the world who you are from the inside. It’s funded by the U.S. Department of State, where you spend a school year with a host family and learn about American culture.
Tell us about your life with your host family!
My host family is very nice and caring. They open their hearts and arms for me to create a strong bond with them and to share my stories with them. They are very supportive. We share our cultures, traditions, and food with each other. Spending time with them makes me happy and I never feel that I am a guest here. My favorite memory so far is enjoying my day at the Lagoon Amusement Park. It was my first time riding a roller coaster!
Is there anything that surprised you about living in America?
I was surprised by the diversity in America. People from various backgrounds embrace each other warmly here. I have experienced warm hospitality from my family, friends, and neighbors. The food portions are also enormous!
Sharing my culture is also the best part of the exchange year. I shared my culture through school presentations, cooking food for my host family, and sharing traditions with them. I’m enjoying American food and music, and especially the diversity.
Do you have advice for future exchange students?
If you want to achieve something in your life, go beyond your limits and step out of your comfort zone. It’s difficult in the beginning, but the result is worthwhile. This experience will transform your life in a way you never would have expected. Believe in yourself and never give up. You’ll be rewarded in a way you never expected.
I express my humble gratitude to the Aspect Foundation and the YES program for providing me with an amazing life-changing opportunity and placing me with such a warm-hearted and harmonious host family that includes me in their activities and never lets me feel that I am a temporary guest. I feel like I am a part of their family!
Are you interested in making a student like Iqra a part of your family? We are looking for American host families to welcome a student for the upcoming 2025-26 school year! Check out the profiles of our wonderful students! New profiles go online every Thursday!
