“I have a dream to go and study in the US.” When Class X student Ali Zeya Sabri uttered these words, he voiced the inner wishes of many others gathered at St. Stephen’s School, Bowbazar, on July 19 to listen to Adrian Pratt, the acting US consul general and director of American Center, speak about pursuing education in America.
Pratt addressed students of Classes IX and X and discussed the role of learning English as a language, how the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) guides students keen on pursuing higher education in the US and sent out an open invitation to students to visit the American Center and enjoy the services and programmes it offers.
Imran Zaki, honorary secretary, St. Stephen’s School, spoke about the institution’s long association with American Center in his opening speech. ‘’American Center has always been a friend. Our school vision and mission is that we believe in 50% academics and 50% curriculum. Our students also want to be doctors, engineers, scientists, chartered accountants. But it is very important that we instil in them the values to become good human beings. That is very important. It is also very important for us to learn and know English so that we can connect with the world, so that we can get better job opportunities. The students here have Hindi/Urdu as their mother language but they are very well-versed with English,’’ he said.
Adrian Pratt talked about his student days in America and also his love for ‘sandesh’.
Amit Datta/ My KolkataPratt started off by mentioning that though the Indo-American strategic bilateral ties might date back to the 75 years of Indian Independence, they actually began almost 200 years ago when George Washington had sent Benjamin Joy to Calcutta as an envoy. He went on to say how English as a language connects people from different walks of life and brings the world closer. He spoke about the various programmes and events offered by American Center to help students enhance their skills.
The students had many questions for Pratt, ranging from his views on Indian art and culture to the education system of the country. ‘’I was born in Scotland. I actually went to school there. I finished high school and then applied to universities in America. I can tell you about higher education in America because I went to university there. I’m not an expert on it, but one of the things I’d say is that they encourage you to study a lot of different subjects and not just focus on one thing. That apart, you can take part in some extracurricular activities. It’s a very broad education system,” Pratt said.
The students asked Adrian Pratt about everything from Indian art and culture to the education system of the country.
Amit Datta/ My KolkataThe students listened in rapt attention as he shared his love for the warm, hospitable and welcoming people of Kolkata, the enticing and magical culture and artwork of the country and how he loves sandesh.
‘’Today’s guest Adrian Pratt gave us an idea about how we can go and study in America. I have a dream to go and study in the US. He also gave us an open invitation to visit American Center. I would definitely try to visit one day after my school is over. I haven’t thought about any particular college in the US, but I wish I could study in the best college there. I want to be a software engineer in future,” Ali Zeya Sabri said.
Some students danced to the tune of 'Dakchhe akash dakchhe batash'.
Amit Datta/ My KolkataThe interaction was followed by a cultural performance by the students of the school. They danced to the tune of Dakchhe akash dakchhe batash.
Mariam Adil, a student of Class IX who dreams of becoming a chartered accountant, said, ‘’He (Pratt) taught us many things about America and reflected on the relations between India and America. He told us about the education system there. If possible, I would really like to go to America for studies. It’s my dream to go to Harvard.”
