This fall, 72 Pakistani students who were selected for the prestigious Fulbright scholarship began their Master’s and PhD studies in the United States. Before departure, they assembled in Islamabad for a two-day pre-departure orientation (PDO) organized by USEFP’s Programs department. The sessions were carefully designed to prepare the outgoing grantees for life at U.S. universities by offering guidance on academic expectations, cultural adaptation, and community engagement.
The Fulbright program is the U.S. government’s flagship academic exchange, and the program in Pakistan has had the honor of being the largest in the world. This year also marks its 75th anniversary – an enduring partnership that continues to open doors for U.S.-Pakistan collaboration, innovation, and mutual benefit.
“The Fulbright program is an outstanding example of the transformational impact of the U.S.–Pakistan partnership through our joint commitment to higher education,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker. “This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright program in Pakistan, and we look forward to many more decades of fruitful cooperation in education, research, and innovation.”
During the PDO, USEFP Executive Director Dr. Peter K. Moran encouraged the participants to view this experience as an opportunity for both learning and leadership.
“Your time in the United States is not only about academic study and development,” he said. “It is about learning from the people you meet, sharing your story, and building relationships that strengthen understanding between our two nations.”
This year’s cohort will attend 42 U.S. universities, pursuing disciplines ranging from health and education to computer science, environmental studies, and social sciences. The group includes 58 Master’s students, 10 PhD candidates, and four Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) fellows.
