Alumni from various U.S.-funded exchange programs gathered in Mirpur, AJK, braving monsoon rains and cool weather to attend the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) South AJK Chapter Annual Alumni Reunion. The event celebrated enduring connections, highlighted professional achievements of alumni, and welcomed distinguished guest Kelly Ryan, Deputy Director of Alumni Affairs at the U.S. Embassy.
The reunion brought together graduates from notable U.S.-sponsored initiatives, such as the Access Micro-Scholarship, Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA), Global Undergraduate Exchange (UGRAD), and International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) programs. Ms. Kelly Ryan actively interacted with alumni, learning directly about the positive impact these exchange experiences have had on their personal and professional lives.
Participants included former Access students now studying medicine, highlighting the sustained benefits of early exposure to exchange opportunities. Alumni in influential roles across the journalism, education, and corporate sectors showcased the diverse achievements of program beneficiaries, emphasizing how their exchange experiences significantly shaped their careers.
Overall, the reunion underscored the strength and resilience of Pakistan-U.S. exchanges, reaffirming a shared commitment to building meaningful connections and collaborative efforts between the people of Pakistan and the United States.
