More than 270 students gathered in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi this week to prepare to travel to the United States to embark on bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs at U.S. universities.
EducationUSA at the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) hosted these annual pre-departure orientations (PDO) to prepare students for the educational and cultural journey ahead. Discussion topics included classroom and campus life, resources for international students, and adapting to new cultural experiences. Parents, school counselors, and alumni of US institutions also joined the discussion to help contribute to students' successful transition.
According to the Institute of International Education’s 2024 Open Doors report, nearly 11,000 Pakistanis were enrolled at U.S. institutions last year, an all-time high for Pakistan and an 8.1 percent increase over the previous year.
“Pakistan is home to thousands of alumni of U.S. colleges and universities,” said U.S. Embassy Islamabad Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy Lisa Swenarski. “We are extremely proud to support students through EducationUSA’s advising services, which make it possible for smart and motivated Pakistani students to have life-changing educational experiences in the United States, enrich our campuses and culture, and return home to become the future leaders of their country.”
The PDO is the final step in EducationUSA’s advising program, which guides hundreds of Pakistani students each year through the application process for admission to U.S. colleges and universities. The event also serves as a celebration of the students’ successes before they depart for campuses across the United States.
“We are committed to supporting and encouraging Pakistani students to realize their dream of higher education in the United States,” said USEFP Executive Director Dr. Peter Moran. “A U.S. education has the power to change the trajectory of a student’s life. Our EducationUSA advisers, many of whom are U.S. graduates themselves, help students prepare for their journeys with some practical tools that will help make their endeavors successful. We look forward to seeing students thrive at U.S. institutions and then make their contribution toward addressing local and global challenges following the completion of their programs.”
EducationUSA is the official U.S. government source of information on U.S. higher education. It offers accurate, comprehensive, and current information on accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States, and free guidance and assistance to students interested in applying to U.S. colleges and universities.
In Pakistan, EducationUSA is hosted at USEFP, a binational commission established in 1950 by the Governments of Pakistan and the United States. USEFP also administers the prestigious Fulbright student program, the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship program, and several other competitive grants for Pakistani students interested in studying in the United States.
