I know we have talked about this in bits and pieces here and there but I feel this is a very important topic that requires our attention and considerations, and help wherever we can extend a hand.
I was myself an FOB student when I came over to US in 1992. From my personal experience or exposure to the problems of other students like me, I have learned that majority of the student community who come to US from Pakistan go through a lot of difficulties. The situation is worst if the prospective student does not have a well off family back home. Few of the major difficulties they go through are:
1- The new student does not have much knowledge about the education system here and finds himself/herself confused and uncertain. A lot of students need to switch schools or apply credits from their previous studies or switch majors and this means talking and persuading the administration of their school. Being new, this seems quite tough and many times, dishearting.
2- A lot of students get into immigration related problems. Whether it’s switching school or violating their status by not knowing the law and its enforcement enough, they easily become out of status, a horrific nightmare. Not having much resources, they resort to their friends, acquaintances, or relatives for advice (who usually have half-cooked knowledge of immigration laws). This eventually puts them in even worst situation.
3- To sustain a living, a lot of students don’t have much choice but to work ‘under the table’ at Desi community owned grocery stores or gas stations, only to fall prey to typical Desi exploitation, jealousy, and slavish treatment.
4- A lot of students don’t know much about industry situation when they come abroad. Although this has changed drastically in recent years thanks to the boom of IT industry, but still there are many people who need career guidance. Although almost every school has career development centers and counsellers, being new and naive, they don’t get to utilize them as much as they could.
When I was in school, I changed my major from English literature to Philosophy to Economics to Business Administration. I took Finance and absolutely hated it. Good that I took MIS by chance and loved it. I now feel that if had a mentor back then, somebody desi like me who had gone through simimiar sort of circumstances like I did, it would have been a lot more easy on me.
5- Finally the importance of time spent while in school. A lot of students don’t realize that the sooner they finish school, the better it is. Usually they are used to the laid back university process back home where university is closed for 6 months because Islami Jameet-ay Talba is on strike. But over here, time management and planning play key roles.
Add all that on top of being completely new in a country and you get the picture. I sincerely believe that there should be some sort of Non-profit organization or society or club etc that should provide guidance, mentorship, and help to the extent it can, as well as efforts on our part as individuals.
Any thoughts?
