U.S.
Summer
Sisters
Exchange
Program
2013
September 2013
Summer Sisters Program: Inspirational
“This program was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that exceeded my
expectations and will help me in the future. I feel very proud that I had this
opportunity.” That seems to be the unanimous view of the Pakistani students who participated in the U.S. Summer Sisters Exchange Program, the
summer academic exchange launched by the US-Pakistan Women’s Council.
The US-Pakistan Women’s Council created this exchange program for high
school aged girls to inspire them to imagine more for their future. We
identified talented young women, provided a scholarship to a summer program at a U.S. university, covered their transportation and other expenses,
assigned female professional mentors, and plan to provide ongoing encouragement to ensure they attend university, secure internships and jobs. We
will also build their professional network by adding them to the U.S. government’s exchange alumni network.
Amna meets Abraham Lincoln at
Nationals Park in Washington.
In 2013, six students studied at Harvard University, Smith College, Mt.
Holyoke College, the Eleanor Roosevelt Leadership Center at Vassar
College, and American University (home of the Council). Several of the
Summer Sisters came from schools in Pakistan that educate young women
from disadvantaged backgrounds: Care Foundation, the Citizen’s Foundation, and Developments in Literacy. These schools are supported by
the Pakistani Diaspora community in the United States. In addition, two
students came from the Beaconhouse School System, which has a strong
academic tradition of educating young women.
For more information about the Summer Sister Exchange Program, visit our
website at www.american.edu/sis/womenscouncil
Haleema and HasbunNisa take
turns as news anchors at CNN’s
New York City office.
“Best summer of my life!”
Our Summer Sisters are brave
women. They left their country
(and some cases, their village) for
the first time, and embarked on an
unforgettable journey to a distant
country. The young women excelled in their academic programs.
with host families in Washington,
Los Angeles, and Newtown. The
families took their guests on tours
of monuments in our nation’s capital, the Statue of Liberty, the Hollywood Hills, and to their offices to
gain insights on the workplace.
This program helped me evolve into a
stronger woman. The classes were very
innovative and stimulating, making me a
more critical thinker. It helped me boost my
self-confidence and leadership skills.
Amna
American University
Beaconhouse School System
For example, Anum won a gold
medal award in an essay competition at Harvard, briefed members
of Congress, the State Department,
and USAID, completed an internship at Convergence (a policy
think-tank) in Washington, and
helped develop a micro-finance
project to benefit her village. Amna
helped to mediate international
crises at American University’s
Model United Nations seminar.
Hira outshined her classmates in
a college-level chemistry course at
Mount Holyoke College (did we
mention she’s a high school student?). Asia challenged herself to
dissect insects at Smith’s Summer
Science and Engineering Program,
taking a closer step to actualizing
her dream of practicing medicine.
They hosted dinners and slumber
parties, skyped with their families,
and offered career advice.
The program allowed American
families and Pakistani women to
form lifelong bonds. As one host
family daughter expressed, “Anum
has allowed me to reflect on my
own life and rethink my life goals,
my religion, and my culture.”
sparking conversations about gender roles and religion. These conversations are critical because they
help eliminate stereotypes about
women in Pakistan and highlight
the need for more access to opportunities for young women.”
Shukriyaa! (Thank You)
The U.S. Summer Sisters Exchange
Program was made possible
through the generous support of
our university partners. We are
grateful for the support of our
corporate sponsors Pepsi-Cola and
Locke, Lord LLP, and our private
donors, host families, volunteer
mentors, and participating schools
in Pakistan. Thanks to SZABIST
University for hosting a career
counseling workshop in Karachi.
And special thanks to the U.S.
Embassy in Islamabad and the
Consulates in Karachi and Lahore
for their tremendous support.
Universities praise the program
Our Summer Sisters have given
back to their programs already,
acting as cultural ambassadors and
diversifying the experience of their
classmates. As Sarah Craig, the program coordinator at Smith College
explained: “Asia often answered
questions about her culture, with
humor and maturity. The American
students were interested in learning
They agreed that their experience in about Asia’s lifestyle in Pakistan,
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the U.S. developed their leadership
skills and provided them with the
confidence to express their views
This program was a once-in-a-lifetime
and to consider new career goals.
experience. It broadened my world view
and gave me a sense of leadership and
Host families adopt Summer Sisters
independence. It will help certainly me
with my future career. I feel very proud
After their school program ended,
to have had this opportunity.
five Summer Sisters kicked back
and enjoyed the end of the summer
Asia
Smith College
Care Foundation