Voices of Exchanges

IVLP alumna Shagufta Yasmin hosts a show on Urdu ghazals. (Screenshot courtesy youtube.com/@sada-e-jaras)

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Participants gain firsthand experience and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts through short-term visits to the United States.

Meet Shagufta Yasmin, Khalid Raza Khan and Afzal Misbahi, who participated in IVLPs, and learn about their impressions and takeaways.

Shagufta Yasmin

I am: Shagufta Yasmin, a program presenter with Tehzeeb TV. I have worked with All India Radio, Doordarshan, the Press Information Bureau, UNI news agency and Zee Salam. I also conduct programs for Jashn-e-Rekhta, the Urdu language literary festival.

I visited the United States for an IVLP on: America’s foreign policy toward journalists and other thinkers, in 2014.

My memorable experience during the IVLP: Were the lavish dinners hosted by families in almost every U.S. state that we visited. I was amazed by the diverse cultural milieu—Indian, Christian and Jewish—all of them so deeply intertwined together.

The IVLP program taught me: That faith in the elected government unites the United States as a nation. It was heartwarming to witness that people believe in unity and in being Americans despite their different, diverse backgrounds.

One thing that surprised me during the IVLP: Was the diversity around me, in day-to-day life. This is something that every American should feel proud of.

Khalid Raza Khan

I am: Khalid Raza Khan, editor-in-charge of the Urdu section of Bharat Express Network. I have also worked with ETV Urdu, Sahara Hindi and Aalami Sahara.

I visited the United States for an IVLP on: America’s foreign policy for media persons, in 2015.

During the IVLP I learned: That Urdu is taught at all levels in almost every U.S. university with a South Asian department. U.S. universities pay special attention to doctoral research conducted in Urdu and as a result, they produce outstanding, multidisciplinary research in Urdu language.

The IVLP program taught me: To look at the world in a differently. Before my visit, I had heard and read about the American political system, society and media but the program gave me a firsthand experience.

One thing that surprised me during the IVLP: Was the liberty to express one’s opinion. This makes America what it is, an open and free society to live, work and thrive.

(Photograph courtesy Khalid Raza Khan)

Afzal Misbahi

I am: Afzal Misbahi, an assistant professor in the Department of Urdu at the Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Banaras Hindu University. Earlier, I worked at two Urdu daily newspapers—Rashtriya Sahara and Inquilab.

I visited the United States for an IVLP on: American society and culture, in 2019.

During the IVLP I was impressed: By the excellent academic environment at the U.S. universities.

The IVLP program taught me: This program is an excellent way to connect the United States and Americans with the rest of the world. It allows participants from around the world to learn about the U.S.’ political system, society, education and developments in various walks of life.

One thing that surprised me during the IVLP: I found America the same as what I had heard or read about it. I had not expected this. When I saw people offering Friday prayers inside a chapel in a university, I understood what walking the talk is in the American context, regarding respect for diversity and inclusion.

(Photograph courtesy Afzal Misbahi)

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