Alishah Talpur is our alumna of the Kennedy Lugar Youth and Exchange Study Program (YES). Alishah can never forget the day when she landed in the U.S. for the very first time. It was a sunny day in Georgia when her host mom picked her up from the airport and she still remembers that delightful warm welcome. Alishah felt both scared and excited for it was entirely a new experience for a 16-year young girl.

“I loved my host family and the city I was placed in, and I would like to say I had a fairly great experience. I believe I wouldn’t be the same person here writing this if it wasn’t for my decision to fill out the YES application form and give it a try,” shared Alishah.

The ‘YES’ program changed Alishah in ways more than one, but the most prominent one would be community service. Being a volunteer at pet shops, thrift stores, and libraries in the US gave her a feeling of sense and responsibility for her community. It made her realize that volunteering encourages civic responsibility. “It made me realize that I, also, was an important member of the community and I think Pakistani people lack that idea,” shared Alishah. She wants to help her community in Pakistan as she believes that all people are important members of the community and that we can all bring change to our community.