Pakistani Global UGRAD Student Serves as Cultural Ambassador

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Moosa Sultan

As a representative of his native Pakistan, Moosa Sultan is sharing his culture with children in several elementary schools this semester. His favorite part? Pulling out a cricket ball and bat and teaching youngsters the rudimentary skills of the popular Pakistani sport.

Moosa is a non degree-seeking student spending the spring semester at the University of Arkansas as part of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan. Global UGRAD-Pakistan is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State and implemented by the International Research & Exchanges Board.

The goal of the program is to foster expanded diplomatic and developmental partnerships between the U.S. and Pakistan, said Cameron Caja, visiting students program coordinator for the International Students and Scholars Office at U of A.

"They hope that by giving bright and aspiring students the opportunity to study in the U.S., those students will increase the understanding between U.S. and Pakistani cultures, supporting people-to-people diplomacy for a more stable and productive future," Caja said. "They're trying to cultivate a grass roots feeling of good will."

The highly competitive scholarship program — Moosa is one of 350 Pakistani students chosen from 20,000 who applied — requires recipients to take part in a wide range of community and cultural events. Moosa volunteers with the U of A International Culture Team and with Razorback Food Recovery. He has interviewed other students about their leadership initiatives, attended sporting events, and photographed the Fulbright Peace Fountain as an example of community pride. He also hosted an Indian Movie Night at Gregson Hall.

"The Global UGRAD recipients are some of my favorite students," Caja said. "They really become engaged in the local community." Moosa is the only recipient in his program on the U of A campus this spring. Another four students are here through a similar program sponsored by World Learning for countries other than Pakistan.

Moosa is in his junior year as an electrical engineering student at the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, Pakistan. He will receive 12 credit hours for his coursework at U of A. He is taking English grammar, Seminar in American Culture and two classes in electrical engineering.

Moosa sees himself as a problem solver and an entrepreneur. One career goal is to create an online shopping store in Pakistan, much like Amazon, but more specifically tailored to university students, he said. Another goal is to create a career development center on his home campus, increasing collaboration between his university and industry and strengthening the economy in Pakistan.

The biggest challenge for him at the U of A has been the food. A Muslim, he cannot eat pork or any type of non-halal meat, which limits his choices in the dining halls. The energetic 20-year-old has felt welcomed by the U of A community, making friends with foreign and domestic students alike. "I have experienced the hospitality nature of Americans. That I like," he said.