Ushna Abid, an alumna of the U.S. Department of State’s Access Microscholarship Program (2021–2023) and a member of the Pakistan–U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), is transforming her U.S. exchange experience into youth leadership, educational access, and international collaboration. As the Founder and President of Civic Atlas Initiatives, she is creating platforms that empower young people to become active citizens, community leaders, and global collaborators.

Currently a student at St. Lawrence College in Karachi, Ushna’s passion for understanding different cultures and perspectives began long before she joined the Access Program. However, it was her participation in the U.S. Mission-supported exchange that transformed curiosity into action. Through mentorship, cultural activities, collaborative learning, and leadership development, she gained the confidence to think beyond the classroom and recognize that young people have the power to create meaningful change within their communities.

“The Access Program showed me that leadership begins with service and that meaningful change starts when young people are given the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and lead,” she reflects.

Following the program, Ushna remained actively engaged with the PUAN network, volunteering at reunions, seminars, and alumni activities while pursuing internships with the Dawood Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund. These experiences strengthened her understanding of civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and community service, while reinforcing the importance of investing in the next generation of leaders.

Committed to expanding educational opportunities, Ushna volunteered as an English teacher for underprivileged students from Grades 2 to 8 and later served at a TCF Summer Camp, where she combined sports, arts, and interactive learning to create engaging educational experiences for children. These early experiences inspired her to think bigger about how youth-led initiatives could create lasting community impact.

At just 17 years old, Ushna founded Civic Atlas Initiatives, a student-led platform dedicated to helping young people transform ideas into action. Through a four-week educational campaign that she designed and led, the initiative reached approximately 1,200 students across three schools, entirely without external funding. The program encouraged civic participation, leadership development, and critical thinking while demonstrating the power of youth-led solutions.

Recognizing the importance of cultural understanding, Ushna also created an educational comic celebrating Pakistan’s cultural diversity while encouraging young readers to reject prejudice and embrace inclusion through storytelling. The project reflects her belief that education and creativity can become powerful tools for building more tolerant and connected societies.

Her commitment to international collaboration continued through Civic Atlas Cross-Border Voices, an initiative that brought together students from Pakistan, China, France, and the Philippines to exchange ideas, build friendships, and co-author published articles. By creating opportunities for dialogue across cultures, the initiative strengthens people-to-people connections and demonstrates how young leaders can collaborate to address shared global challenges.

Most recently, Civic Atlas Initiatives expanded its international partnerships through collaboration with Poland’s Equal Education Foundation, serving as a distribution partner to broaden access to educational resources and extend opportunities for student communities beyond Pakistan.

As the United States marks 250 years of global engagement, Ushna Abid’s journey illustrates the enduring impact of U.S.-supported exchange programs in nurturing young leaders who build bridges across cultures, expand educational opportunities, and strengthen international partnerships. She encourages students across Pakistan to apply for U.S. exchange programs, embrace global learning opportunities, and use their experiences to create positive change within their schools, communities, and beyond.

Her story demonstrates that when young people are empowered with knowledge, confidence, and global perspectives, they can become catalysts for innovation, collaboration, and lasting community impact.