Episode of Runners Abroad with Evelyn Gallardo
Available on Soundcloud and Spotify @TheRunnerOnAir
TRANSCRIPT:
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Hello Runners! I am your host Evelyn Gallardo and welcome to the third installment of Runners Abroad, by The Runner On Air. In this series we talk about the different aspects of studying abroad. For this episode I met with Qaiser Javed, a student who is currently studying abroad here at CSUB. He shares his experience studying internationally and gives some insight to what it is like. If you’re interested in what he has to say, be sure to stick around to the end.
[Qaiser Javed]: Okay, so, um. My name is Qaiser Javed, I am a twenty year old student from Pakistan. I was born and raised in the…the city called Karachi and, yeah. So, I am here as a semester exchange student, um. I’m from the, the institute called Institute of Business Administration back in Karachi, my home…my home city, and I completed my two…two years there.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh, cool.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah. So, this is my–-basically, my first semester here, which I am doing as a semester exchange.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh, and how does it work over there? Like, how did you… find out about studying over here?
[Qaiser Javed]: Okay. So, um, my university, um, itself advertises different type of programs. Organized by different organizations. I came here through an organization called, um, Global UGRAD–sorry, that is the program’s name. Um, the, the organization’s name is United States Educational Foundation Pakistan. So, basically what they do is they take–uh, we apply and then they take interviews. They screen the whole thing, the whole application, and then they select few individuals from the whole country. And then they sponsor it. Um, they sponsor my whole stay here, including my tuition fees, my airfares, and everything.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: That’s so cool.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: So is there certain requirements that you have to meet to be able to apply?
[Qaiser Javed]: Um, yes. Um, I think it’s I have to be either in my second or third year and I have to have a certain amount of GPA, in order to be eligible for it. But then again, they have a rough screening. They mostly screen on the basis of your interview, and there’s also a personal statement that you have to write yourself around 200 words.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh, okay.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: So what kind of inspired you to want to study abroad?
[Qaiser Javed]: Um, it’s an interesting question. Um, so, I have always been passionate about being able to learn different things, to have new experiences, to be, uh, adventurous, um, to explore more…something like that, right? And having a semester abroad felt like an opportunity for me, something that I wanted to pursue, um, as soon as I got into university and got to know about it. And this was the first ever program I applied for, and luckily I got selected in my first try.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh!
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah, so, that was the only thing that pushed me and yeah. I’m glad I’m here.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: That’s good! So, um, in the program that you applied for, can you choose where you go? Or they just put you randomly?
[Qaiser Javed]: My program does not allow me to choose, no.
[Evelyn Gallardo] Oh.
[Qaiser Javed]: Since they scholarship… they provide the scholarship for everything, they sponsor everything, so it’s on them to choose, yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh, Okay. So were you, like, happy that you got to come over here or you didn’t want to come over here?
[Qaiser Javed]: I mean my first, my preference was New York.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah, I wanted to go there and I got to go there as well well my, while I was staying here.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: Um, initially no. I wasn’t. Cause, you know? It’s Bakersfield.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Yeah.
[Qaiser Javed]: It’s not that big of a city and I’ve always lived in a big urban setting. So, I wanted to have an experience like that. But gradually I started to like it. I got comfortable with it and I’m actually happy, like, being placed here you know?
[Evelyn Gallardo]: That’s good.
[Qaiser Javed]: Overall, it just changed my perspective and yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: I think that happened to a lot of people with Bakersfield.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah, I know.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Yeah.
[Qaiser Javed]: I can see how it can be like that, yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Um, I think you mentioned, but just to reiterate, how long have you been studying abroad?
[Qaiser Javed]: Uh, I have been…I came here on seventh of August in this country.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Okay.
[Qaiser Javed]: So, since then I am here. A little above–a little below four months, less than four months.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: And do you just stay one semester?
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Or do you get to stay the whole year?
[Qaiser Javed]: No I just–
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Just one semester? So when do you…
[Qaiser Javed]: So, I’ll leave in a couple of weeks. Just two weeks, in fact.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh, wow. But do you wish you could stay longer or no?
[Qaiser Javed]: I miss my home.
[Evelyn Gallardo] Yeah, I get that. I get that.
[Qaiser Javed]: Here it has been fun and all and happy and I’ve enjoyed. I have played a part here but I think it’s time to go back as well, you know?
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Yeah. So, what would you say has been the hardest part about adapting to living here?
[Qaiser Javed]: My first few weeks here were a little difficult. Especially cause, so, whenever I move to a different place, whenever I’m in a new setting I want to have some people with whom I can emotionally rely on.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: I did not have friends, obviously. So that was a little difficult but not having friends in the first few days, not having someone whom you can spend time with, whom you can feel comfortable with. And whom you can, yeah basically that. So that was difficult, but only for first…only for first few weeks yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: As soon, I mean gradually I made friends I got to know people that I started to spend time with and I started to get comfortable with them and it got easier and easier for me ever since, yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Yeah, so how did you kind of deal with the first couple days, when you didn’t really have anybody to talk to?
[Qaiser Javed]: Okay, so…for the first few days I tried to stay in contact with my friend back home.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: And my family, and since I mentioned, I come here through a program right?
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: Um, so there are other 53 students that are in United States from the same program. And we got to meet each other before, so we tried to stay connected cause we were all going through the same thing.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: We were all having similar struggles, trying to find friends, trying to settle in. So, just trying to stay in contact with them. Also, trying to find thing that would keep me busy.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Yeah.
[Qaiser Javed]: Um, one of them is, um, going to the gym everyday. Yeah, basically that.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: So, what have been your pastimes while you’ve been here? Aside from studying, what do you like to do?
[Qaiser Javed]: I have traveled a lot while I have stayed here. Um, that has been the top most thing I have done besides study. Um, I have traveled…I have been in eleven states so far.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh, wow!
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: That’s more than me.
[Qaiser Javed]: I know, I have discussed it with my other friends as well who are locals and they have mentioned, they have mentioned the same thing basically. So, yeah. I feel grateful about that. So traveling has been at the top of my list. Apart from that I have been participating in activities. I just recently joined, uh, football, uh, the soccer team.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: You’re in the soccer team?!
[Qaiser Javed]: I just joined it, yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Wow! That’s so cool.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah, so I do these, like, these have kept me busy, have kept me engaged.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah, sure.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: That’s cool. Wh–Uh, just out of curiosity…
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: What, um, states have you visited?
[Qaiser Javed]: (Unintelligible)
[Qaiser Javed]: I landed here in DC, so that was the first state ever. Um, I have been to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Yeah. So, there. Um, Nevada.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: Ari…not Arizona, no. Um, Wyoming, Colorado, Buffalo.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh, cool.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah, all these states.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: What has been your favorite one?
[Qaiser Javed]: New York. I love New York.
[Evelyn Gallardo] New York?
[Qaiser Javed]: New York has been my dream and it even exceeded my expectations at how beautiful it was. How huge those buildings were, what I was, I was just out of words at that time.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh my gosh, that’s so cool.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Um, so, um if you got to choose.
[Qaiser Javed]: Mmhm.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Where else do you… would you want to study abroad?
[Qaiser Javed]: Where else? In the whole world?
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Yeah, anywhere.
[Qaiser Javed]: Um, okay so I’m fascinated by Europe.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: A lot of countries in Europe. But I’m actually planning for United Kingdom as well.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh, you…
[Qaiser Javed]: For my masters.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh!
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Cool, cool.
[Qaiser Javed]: So that’s…I think that would be something that comes at the top of mind. Yeah, United Kingdom. But any other country in Europe would be my preference, it would be something I want to explore. I want to spend time in. I want to learn from, yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo] That’s cool. So…adapting somewhere new must be hard, right? So, would you say that CSUB has good resources…that you can use while you’re here, somewhere that you don’t really know?
[Qaiser Javed]: Um, yes. Especially the host advisors and her assistants. Um, they helped me a lot. They helped me settle in. They helped me…they acted as a mediator.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: Um, the environment here at CSUB is quite friendly, quite, quite…welcoming, quite engaging. Um, I actually felt really comfortable and the whole transitioning process wasn’t really difficult for me. Especially cause CSUB had been really helpful for me.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: That’s good. That’s good to hear. Um, so, how many classes are you taking this semester?
[Qaiser Javed]: I’m taking four classes this semester.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Four. Um, and I think you mentioned, you’re a business…
[Qaiser Javed]: I am a business major.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Major.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Has it been hard?
[Qaiser Javed]: No.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: No? Really?
[Qaiser Javed]: It has been…actually, it has been really easy for me. Um, especially because I usually take five or six classes, so I am used to that. I only took four cause I had to do more other stuff as well. And, I mean, one of them is public speaking, there isn’t much to do in there. Yeah, so and the other is California History so these two are the courses that are out of my major. The other two are of my major, but they aren’t difficult either. So, it has been easy. But I would also like to mention it has been a little boring for me as well. It hasn’t been challenging first of all.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Ahh, I see.
[Qaiser Javed]: And assignments here, they’re kind of repetitive. So that’s something that has…that I did not like.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: The rest has been really good, yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: That’s interesting. In what sense are they, like, repetitive?
[Qaiser Javed]: Repetitive in the sense that, um, I mean you have to read the chapter, that’s given, right?
[Qaiser Javed]: But then again you have to fill the discussion boards every week, and every week your professor would ask you to, um, like answer the four questions. The four similar questions, and then you have to give a quiz and everytime the quiz is of the same pattern.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mm, okay. I see what you mean.
[Qaiser Javed]: So, the…you can see a pattern. Which is nice, which removes the uncertainty, but it also, it doesn’t challenge my creative aspect.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah, so I would have preferred more engaging activities. Different sort of assignments that would have, um, made me get out of my dorm room and engage with other people. Do team work and all that kind of stuff.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: That’s interesting.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah, so, I would’ve preferred more of that.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm. So in terms of the professors, do you think they have been helpful?
[Qaiser Javed]: They have been really helpful. I have met them in the office hours whenever I would need them to sign something or fill out a form, they would always help me. They would also go out of their way to ask me questions, like, ask me if I am settling in well and they try to make sure that I’m learning, that I’m comfortable and all that. They have been really nice and helpful, yes.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: So, overall have you liked studying here at CSUB?
[Qaiser Javed]: Loved studying here at CSUB. I loved coming here, United States, just in general studying abroad as well. And I would want to, if I get the chance, I would want to do it again.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh! That’s lovely. I’m glad to hear. So, what do you kind of plan on doing with your major?
[Qaiser Javed]: Um, well, first of all, I would try to continue my education by pursuing masters.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: I might work for a while. I might not, I’m not sure. But, yeah, masters is the thing that is…that has to be done. For sure. And after that I would maybe work for a few while. I’m thinking of, um, starting a job in the field of FMCG’s. You know what FMCG’s are?
[Evelyn Gallardo]: No, I don’t.
[Qaiser Javed]: Fast Moving Consumer Goods.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh, uhu.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah, most of the stuff that you would find in supermarkets or general stores. Like, um, like soup packets, like detergents, like any other stuff that’s, again Fast Moving Consumer Goods.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mm.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh. That’s interesting.
[Qaiser Javed]: So, yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Um, what has been like the biggest difference outside of school that you’ve noticed? Like, just culturally, in the…in, like, Bakersfield.
[Qaiser Javed]: Uhh, in Bakersfield…um, okay, so…people here, they are quite…they follow the rules.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: What do you mean by that?
[Qaiser Javed]: Um, especially on the road. You would find…um, I mean, I know it’s quite expected but still it surprised me in the sense that people in Pakistan–on the road especially– they would not follow the traffic rules. They would, I mean, the cars won’t be as kind. The people in the cars won’t be as kind to stop for you. Even in like, if I’m trying to cross the road they would actually stop and let me cross it.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah. I know it’s simple and it’s something quite obvious. It’s something still that surprised me.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: That’s interesting…
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: to this about. Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: And yeah, the, the traffic here is quite disciplined.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: Even though Bakersfield is not known for its disciplined traffic.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Yeah.
[Qaiser Javed]: But no, it’s quite…it’s way better than what it is in my city. The air pollution that you mentioned, Bakersfield has a lot of air pollution.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: I am allergic to dust and all the pollution and I have not sneezed at all while I was here.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Really?
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah. So…
[Evelyn Gallardo]: That’s crazy.
[Qaiser Javed]: So the best–so the worst here is way better than the best in Pakistan.
[Qaiser Javed]: That’s so weird to hear, you know?
[Qaiser Javed]: It’s weird for you and it’s weird for me at the same time.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Have you done any, like, outside activities from school? Like, maybe, attended any concerts or anything like that.
[Qaiser Javed]: I’ve done a lot of stuff, yeah. I have been to, um…there’s a market called EBako.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: I don’t think I’ve heard of it.
[Qaiser Javed]: They celebrate the Mexican culture there. Um, they have different food styles from different…mostly from from Mexicans and Filipinos as well. So, I went there, I mean, I saw, I basically experienced the whole cultural thing. And I have done a lot of other stuff. I have done community service as well. I gave a few hours at the organization called Stay Focused Ministries. They work for the homeless and needy people who need stuff. They give out stuff for free. They pack packaged food and stuff like that. I worked at the edible garden as well.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh, cool.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah, and there’s another organization called CASA. They had a run called CASA Superhero for children, and the organizations works for children who need help, who need support and assistance.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mm.
[Qaiser Javed]: So I basically gave my, um, community service hours there.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Mmhm.
[Qaiser Javed]: And yeah, I think that’s it.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Have you traveled here in California?
[Qaiser Javed]: I have traveled here in California, as well. I have been to San Diego, San Marco, Avila Beach, um, Yosemite, the Sequoia…the Sequoia trees
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Cool, I haven’t been to Yosemite.
[Qaiser Javed]: You have not?
[Evelyn Gallardo]: No.
[Qaiser Javed]: It’s a beautiful place, you should definitely go there.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: That’s cool.
[Qaiser Javed]: That was my first ever waterfall to look at.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh!
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo] Cool, nice. So, going back to, like, studying abroad.
[Qaiser Javed]: Mmhm.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Would you recommend…
[Qaiser Javed]: I would.
[Evelyn Gallardo]:…people to come study abroad?
[Qaiser Javed]: I would definitely recommend people to come. Especially those who like to travel, and who like to explore new things. Who feel…who think of themselves as adventurous people and it’s, it’s an amazing once in a lifetime experience. It’s something you will learn a lot from. Especially culture-wise, culture, you have, I mean I got to experience the authentic American culture while my stay here. That’s something that you cannot do while living in your own home back in country. So, yeah. It opens your mind. It changes your perspectives and it’s something you will enjoy and learn from at the same time.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: So, when you say like you “got to experience the American Culture,” what are something that you…maybe you have heard of, like, back at home about the American culture that you got to experience first hand?
[Qaiser Javed]: Well I know, again, the topic of traffic and the pollution and everything. I mean I knew America as a country is developed. It has all those, um, the economy is quite stable, the architecture is quite beautiful and I got to experience all of that. It was something that matched my expectations. And the people are nice here, they follow rules, um, the rules and the whole city is quite clean. You won’t find as much pollution, as much litter everywhere. Yeah, these are all things that I knew already and I got to see them here as well. Um, what, I mean in culture wise there’s one small thing that surprised me and it’s that, so, when we–whenever we have dinners at our home, right? Like we invite people and have people over and have dinner or lunch, are the same, at a place. We usually serve food at the table, right? But here it’s like a buffet. Everything is served in the kitchen and you stand up and take your own food and so, yeah. That’s something that I did not know and I got to know about it while I was here and I got to experience it first hand yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Yeah, so, um, what is some advice you would give to somebody who wants to study abroad but is too nervous?
[Qaiser Javed]: So, yeah, again, the first few days the transitioning phase can be quite difficult, but then it eventually does get better. As long as you want it to get better, and, um, yeah. I would, um, want people to go out and experience it.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Yeah.
[Qaiser Javed]: And…just don’t be afraid of feeling alone or being away from home, just give it a few days and then be confident and you will eventually feel better about it.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Okay.
[Qaiser Javed]: Just do try it, it’s…it’s a wonderful experience.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Yeah.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: So would you say you’ve met a lot of friends while you were here?
[Qaiser Javed]: I’ve made a lot of friends, yeah. I’ve made a lot of international friends. Friends from countries like Japan, China, South Korea, um, Europe, Spain, um, Norway, Germany, and a lot of locals as well. Yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: That’s coo…that’s cool, that’s good. So do you have any final thoughts? Anything else you would like to…
[Qaiser Javed]: No, I would just like to mention that I’m excited to go back as well. I mean I’m gonna, my flight is in fifteen days to be specific.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Oh.
[Qaiser Javed]: And these last few days are hard to, hard to go through.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Really?
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah, I know, I mean, even though I like it here. I love being here, I’m quite comfortable here, I mean, but still. Going back is…special for me. Even though I know what to expect from there it’s just going back and doing all the, all kinds of stuff that I have done all my life, but no.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: That’s exciting.
[Qaiser Javed]: Yeah, I’m excited.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: It’s like you don’t really know how, like, comfortable you are at home until you leave. Yeah.
[Qaiser Javed]: That’s true. That’s really true, I mean you take a lot of things for granted and when you are away from them and you lose them, even temporarily, you realize how important and how special they are, and then..
[Evelyn Gallardo]: And like you can appreciate more.
[Qaiser Javed]: I appreciate them more and I can, yeah.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Okay, well, that’s all the questions I have. Thank you so much.
[Qaiser Javed]: Thank you. Thank you so much.
[Evelyn Gallardo]: Thank you for listening to this episode of Runners Abroad by The Runner on Air. As always we hope you enjoyed, and if you haven’t checked out the first two episodes for this series, be sure to do that! Be sure to follow our social media @therunner_csub so you won’t miss out on any important information, and make sure to check out our recent stories at therunneronline.com. Have a wonderful day.
Music Credits:
Intro and Outro Song –
Sequential Elements
Written By Sander Kalmeijer
Performed By The Galaxy News