Iqra is our exchange student from Pakistan.  She has a very different culture than us.

Iqra said she became an exchange student because, “ It was my dream to come to America, and this is the chance I got and it is so fun.” “The school and the people. The people are so happy here, even strangers will smile at you.” She also said that she enjoyed that school here is about being involved, and not just writing in a book.

There are many difference between her country and ours.  She said she’s enjoying most “the school and the people. The people are so happy here, even strangers will smile at you.” She also said that she enjoyed that school here is about being involved, and not just writing in a book.

Iqra said the three biggest differences between the United States and Pakistan are, “food, people and school.”

Iqra, along with every other exchange student, has an accent. She came to the United States already able to speak English, but it was challenging at first.

“It is not hard to understand now, but in the beginning it was pretty difficult and I had to have people repeat what they were saying a lot,” said Iqra.

Iqra’s favorite thing she’s done since she’s been here was an act of charity.

“I had a lot of fun with Race for the Cure for breast cancer,” said Iqra.

Exchange students take away from their experiences many more things than just trying new foods and meeting new people.

“I feel like I am changed. I feel like I am way more mature than I was when I came here,” said Iqra.  “I also want to end the stereotypes that the US and Pakistan have against each other, because obviously there is a lot. I will make sure to break those and do
a lot of volunteer work and community service when I get back.”