Around 150 Fulbright grantees from the 2023 cohort assembled in Austin, Texas, from November 11 to 13 for the annual Fulbright Pakistan Student Seminar. The series of activities were designed to assist Fulbrighters in settling in on their campuses and making the most of their exchange journeys.
The weekend commenced with a welcome dinner and a visit to the Texas Science and Natural History Museum. The group was welcomed by Julia Findlay, Chief of South and Central Asian Fulbright Programs at the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Austin Public Broadcasting Service Chief Executive Officer Luis Patiño delivered the keynote speech and emphasized the power of public media to harness opportunities for diversity, strategic thought, education, and community engagement.
Some of the other sessions were:
- An introduction to Fulbright grant by advisors of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, Piper Arnold and Abby Miller, at the Institute of International Education.
- A thematic discussion on the history of U.S. social movements by David Lauderback, lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin.
- An interactive session, allowing participants to reflect on their experiences, strengths, and passions, led by Ryan Schoenbeck, founder and coach of Generosity Leadership.
- A talk focused on strengthening bilateral ties by Consul General of Pakistan in Houston, Muhammad Aftab Chaudhry.
- A visit to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum.
The seminar concluded with a reflection on the experiences and goals of the participants. The grantees discussed how they will utilize the insights and tools gained from the seminar to make positive contributions to their work and communities.
