Reaching Thousands for IEW
Pakistani holds 51 presentations!
The month of November was full of pride and satisfaction. During IEW, I was a teacher and a student at the same time. I gave 51 presentations to around 1,600 people at Prescott High School, Middle School, and Elementary School.
Moreover, I gave presentations at my host family’s house. I was able to clear the misconceptions that people had about my religion, culture, and country. I was nervous before my presentations, but the flag in my hand gave me the power and confidence to represent my culture and country.
It was a challenge to overcome the stereotypes of people toward Pakistan, but I’m glad that I was able to do it to some extent. At first, everyone was scared of me, as I am a Muslim and I am from Pakistan. But through my presentations, I was able to spread the reality and best side of myself, my country, and my culture. It was an honor to unfold my flag and tell about it.
After my presentations, everyone in the audience wanted to visit Pakistan once in their life, and I felt successful in spreading my culture and country. The audience and I cherished all the differences between both countries.
Elementary students colored flags of both countries (Pakistan and America) and the national things (national food, game, and bird) of Pakistan. I made different presentations for different age groups, did small quizzes after presentations, and gave Pakistani bracelets as gifts.
IEW brought me close to my culture, American culture, and my school. Everyone in my school knows me as a Pakistani girl, and I’m proud of that.
I cooked one of the most popular dishes in Pakistan named biryani for my host family and my friends, and everyone loved it. Furthermore, everyone got a chance to touch Pakistani currency known as rupees, as I passed them around during the presentations.
After my presentations, I gave a card and a ten rupee bill to teachers as a souvenir. I played Pakistani music in classes and some of the students still ask me about different songs. Also, I wrote student names in my language, and we all spoke our names in my language. That moment made everyone feel like they were Pakistanis.
Elementary and middle school students brought pens and papers to me to write their names in my language, and that was one of the sweetest moments. IEW brought me close to my culture, American culture, and my school. Everyone in my school knows me as a Pakistani girl, and I’m proud of that.
—Eshal (YES, Pakistan), hosted by the Faulkner family (AR)
