Back in Janurary I was walking back to my apartment when I saw a man standing outside my building with luggage prompted up on his leg. He looked confused, but he was talking on the phone trying to figure things out. When he hung up, I asked if I could help him. He excitedly accepted the help and I walked him up to the apartment which he would be staying at. The man's name was Sarwar and he was a professor traveling with the group. He was so happy and anxious for the adventure ahead. We exchanged phone numbers and I hoped that we would run into one another again.
It was actually at a Jardine program where I meet most of the Pakistani students. They were full of so much energy. It was truly contagious. I introduced myself and no more than five minutes of exchanging names did they ask me to act for them. Act? Seriously of all people I could not act. So they took over the spotlight and did a compelling performance of one of the guys trying to marry a beautiful girl but his father would not let him. Honestly it was the funniest thing ever! They were so into their performance.
I left for the evening, but from what I heard from fellow co-workers was that I left way too early. After I left, the group of students performed traditional Pakistani dances. I was so disappointed I missed out, but we had a solution. A few other staff members and myself decided to pull together a quick Dance Party program. We wanted to have more time, space and music to learn the Pakistani dances. The three of us pulled together such a fun program. There were people from all over the world there, and of course the Pakistani students came too. We learned their dances and they attempted to learn "American Dancing" which was basically just repeating the corny moves that we were doing. It was such a fun night! We all had a blast.
Tonight, at the final get together, it was so touching to hear these gentlemen speak. They were so grateful of their time at K-State, thanking everyone that came to support them. There is so much turmoil over in their country, yet they are going back tomorrow with a mission. They want to be the driving force that leads to change in their country. They want to make lives better and education a priority. Many of them had funny stories about their time here. It was so moving at the end of the speeches one gentlemen said that "It is easy to talk to people, but it is hard to form relationships, but that is what we have all done. We have formed relationships with each other and that is sometimes very difficult." I was so proud at the end to live in a country that is able to give all kinds of opportunities that are somewhat unimaginable in the home countries. Yes, America can be a little messed up now and then, but it is nice to see the good that we do as well.
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. I not only continue to learn about the world but continue to learn about myself as well. I wish the Pakistani men the best of luck in their future and I thank them for the time that we have spent together.
Can't we all just get along...
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