This past semester we were students at the University of Idaho, as part of the exchange program with Pakistan sponsored by the U.S. government. We were not only students, but also carried “cultural ambassador” passports and in that role we engaged in several activities to promote understanding and build bridges between Pakistanis and those from other countries, which is the key objective of the program.
We wish to express our deep thanks and appreciation to UI for all that we experienced in terms of excellent education from highly competent and cordial faculty, an extremely hospitable and welcoming campus environment, as well the wonderful community at large.
There is the lingering memory of so many friendships, which we will cherish forever. We also enjoyed some cultural experiences like the Native American powwow and highway cleaning (sponsored by the local Muslim community).
And then we were so glad that The Argonaut interviewed us and covered our experience in a wonderful article (“Crossing Cultures: Pakistani cultural ambassadors share experiences at UI,” 12/6/11, written by Anja Sundali). Incidentally, there was some confusion in the article, which suggested some of us were “sick” of American foods — hardly, the reference was to some ethnic food one of us had consumed somewhere.
We are back in our country, but the wonderful UI and Moscow experiences are enshrined in our memories forever and Moscow is like our second home. We hope to return someday for graduate studies.
Thanks a million, University of Idaho.
-Sehrish Abbasi
Sara Mehmood
Faheem Zafari
Awais Mirza
Current benefits to remain
I was glad to talk with reporter Katy Sword for her article “UI cuts back Tuition Reciprocal Agreement” (Jan. 13, 2012). The article focused on the University of Idaho cutting back on providing deeply discounted tuition as a professional development benefit for employees of other colleges and universities and state agencies.
That type of tuition waiver program amounted to nearly $500,000 in foregone revenue last year alone. As good financial stewards, we had to curtail the majority of that program. However, I do need to clarify and stress something for our own UI employees: The university is not making any changes to the current educational or professional development benefits for its employees or their spouses.
The quote from me in the article didn’t go far enough to assure our own employees that we, as an institution, value this type of benefit and see it as important to them and their spouses. I appreciate the opportunity to share this with Argonaut readers.
Sincerely,
-Ron Smith, Vice President for Finance
and Administration – See more at: file:///Volumes/argonaut$/stories/sections/opinion/stories/2012/Jan/18/mailbox_11812.html#sthash.nG4goqDK.dpuf