P4L -YES iEARN Pakistan

Pre Departure Activities

The success of the short-term iEARN-BRIDGE exchange was key to setting a good precedence for the year-long exchanges and equally, the first round of the YES exchange is extremely important for the forthcoming exchanges. The difference in the culture and educational systems of Pakistan and the US is extremely vast and it is important to prepare the students to take up these new challenges. The bulk of students were from Karachi with a majority of students coming from humble middle and low income groups with limited exposure to outside world.  These students were extremely talented but we felt that an extended pre departure orientation program would better prepare them for effective participation in the YES program and for their life in US. The program is primarily focused at providing Personal Development and English Language Improvement to the YES students..

The Rotary Club of Islamabad West took lead and provided a week long program for the YES students from Pindi and Islamabad. The Director of Rotary Club volunteered to lead the group all through the Pre Departure activities.

 In Karachi this was  an 80-hour modular program Total 20 working spread over 5 weeks, with 5 days a week and 4 hours working sessions every day during July. The program is delivered in collaboration with the Community Development Association-Karachi, which have made available their facility in Karachi --The Learning Centre -- for the commencement of the program. The program aimed at:

• Oral English language proficiency
• Exposure to current global issues
• Study skills
• Selecting , Reading and appreciating a wide variety of fiction and non fiction
• Personal grooming (Health, Hygiene, table manners etc.)
• Interpersonal skills

 Sample activities include:

• 60 minutes of English language proficiency classes every day (5 days  week)
• Workshop style input sessions focused at study skills (critical reading, newspaper activities, presentation skills, and classroom discussions etc.)
• Guest lecture series once or twice a week e.g. The Public Affairs Officer and Vice Counsel from US Consulate General Karachi, another professional from North Carolina made great impacts on students and aided their preparation to the new land and people.
• Reading and discussion from the selection of books and Videos from the reading corner that also includes books on US culture, geography and politics.

 The Pre Departure module with  both the groups  was a great success and proved to be vital as the students were preparing for their departure and their early adjustment period in US families and schools.  Students from the first iEARN-BRIDGE exchange volunteered as peer supporters and were available to answered questions about life as a teenager in the US. Despite the unavailability funds for this activity. A great job was accomplished due to the support from The Learning Centre and from Rotary Club of Islamabad West .

The YES Students at the Pre Departure Orientations-Karachi

The Director General of Rotary Club of Islamabad West, presented certificates to students on successful completion of the YES Pre Departure Orientation' organized and delivered by Noreen Mirza and Zahid Bashir of Rotary Club.

Fleur Cowan-The Vice Consul from Consulate General of United States, presented YES students a set of publications and Materials on Geography, History and Culture of US.