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Coming from a different culture, stepping into Emporia State University and starting my journey as an exchange student has turned out to be a life-changing moment for me by far. I can’t merely ignore the impact of this brilliant program and the educational system of United States by saying “it is far different from that in Pakistan”.
Let me elaborate what makes this entire system of educating, grooming and reshaping the lives of undergraduates, be they the US nationals or foreign students. The difference is the real essence of giving the fresh brains an opportunity to explore their real talents in the most constructive and comprehensive way.
I was surprised when I came to know that students here can choose whatever they want to study. They can select their timings for classes and their own majors. This is amazingly different from our system where parents decide what your major would be.
Here you are supposed to study all the subjects being taught in the University related to that major, whether you want to study them or not. My experience whether it’s in a psychology class or getting knowledge about communication skills makes me more generous in discussing the shortcomings of the educational system of Pakistan.
Here in the United States and especially at Emporia State University, my teachers are not only my mentors but also the friendly figures. They are not here to threaten me or impress me, they make me more comfortable while I am asking about my queries or questions no matter how stupid or trivial they are, I must say I am being polished to be an influential leader in near future.
I would like to talk about the diversity of methodologies being used at educational institutions in the United States. The teachers here know how to make the lectures interesting, easy and influential.
Being a lady, coming from a semi misogynistic and patriarchal society, I see a prominent change in myself under the influence of this superb system. I now believe I can emerge as a lady who can break the stereotypes with all her passion and enable herself to lead and communicate in a reasonable way. The spirit of community work being inculcated in me may prove out to be a ladder that can help me work for the poor community in my hometown.
It would be dishonest on my part , if I don’t attribute this change and positivity to my favorite versatile personalities like Morgan Swisher, the professor of Psychology and C. Emmer, the professor of Ethics, Joyce Thierer, the professor of History and Dr.Heidi Hamilton my Public speaking professor, I wish all of them the best and hope they continue being extremely generous in sharing their pivotal knowledge.
