ISLAMABAD – Around 180 Pakistani students will be departing for universities throughout the United States on the Fulbright Scholarship Programme this summer. The Fulbright Programme is the flagship academic exchange programme of the US government. Funded by the US State Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the awards cover all travel, living, and tuition expenses towards achieving a Masters or Ph.D. degree.
A pre-departure orientation (PDO) was held by United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) for the departing students Friday.  The grantees were briefed by USEFP about the programme, visa regulations, American culture, US higher education and campus life and adjusting to life as a new student in United States. A few alumni, currently working for prestigious organisations in Pakistan, also shared their experiences with departing grantees.
The orientation was followed by an official send-off featuring Richard A Hoagland, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Islamabad. “I have no doubt that you will be welcomed on your campuses, as so many other foreign students have been. The United States has a long tradition of embracing international students and celebrating the diversity that they bring to our campuses and country.
When Pakistanis sit side-by-side with Americans in the classroom they generate new ideas, challenge old stereotypes, and learn from and about each other.  And they make life-long friends,” Hoagland said. Senior US Embassy officials were also present on the occasion.