As many as 108 Pakistani students will depart for United States in August 2013 for one-year study under the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programme. The US Deputy Chief of Mission Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland was the chief guest at the get-together programme, who while speaking, called the students as "cultural ambassadors" and "agents of change".
The YES programme, funded by the US Department of State, provides scholarships for secondary school students aged 15-17 from over 40 countries to study at American high schools and live with American host families for up to one academic year. During the week-long orientation, students learned what to expect in the United States and heard from alumni who participated in last year's programme.
In his remarks, Ambassador Hoagland highlighted the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties through academic and cultural exchange.
"To see so many impressive Pakistani young people - each of you a talented representative of this nation's bright future - is inspiring. I am proud that the United States will have a role in advancing your education and helping your nation's prospects," he said. It is a two-way benefit, Hoagland said, asking the students while you are learning about the United States, Americans will be learning from all of you.
"You represent diversities, as you come from 30 different cities of the country...represent your country well and come back to share your experience with your peer groups, colleagues and friends," he further asked the departing students.
The YES programme, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in December 2012, encourages the exchange of ideas, values, and experiences among young people that leads to greater cultural awareness and appreciation.
In addition to a full programme of study at a US high school, YES students participate in extracurricular programmes and enrichment activities such as community service projects and leadership training. Peter Brennan, the US Embassy's Minister Counsellor for Public Affairs, said that YES students were cultural ambassadors to their American host communities, whose contact with YES students provides them with an opportunity to learn about the rich and vibrant cultures of students' home countries.
Since 2003, the YES programme has provided scholarships to more than 700 Pakistani high school students. This year's participants come from over 30 cities of Pakistan, and more than half of the participants are girls.
Brennan highlighted the role of the YES students, describing them as goodwill ambassadors of both the US and Pakistan.