1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Apply
  • Chat

From Student Blogger, Nelofar: My Civic Duties

From Student Blogger, Nelofar: My Civic Duties

Jul 10, 2018

As I mentioned in my last blog, I came to the United States in 2012 as a young and naïve fifteen years old. When I came here, I had no idea what to expect and what to look forward to. The only thing that I knew I had to do was to get an excellent education, so I could go back to my home country and pay my dues of serving the community. Six years ago, serving my community was just an idea; an abstract thought that I perceived to be beyond myself. So, I memorized what I wanted to tell people when they asked me about my future, i.e., go back and serve my country. Six years later, my idea of serving the community has changed and so have the sentiments behind it. In these six years, the fifteen years old in me has grown into an adult who has yet to learn what it means to live life fully and be a model civilian. But! the twenty-one-year-old in me now (somewhat) knows what a fully functioning society looks like and what it means to serve the community. All thanks to my wonderful experiences in the US. 

My first experience with US politics and election was when Barack Obama was running against Mitt Romney in 2012. Don’t worry, I am not going to talk about politics here. I have a point that I’d like to make. Anyway…the 2012 election was not only my first ever US election experience, it was also my first ever realization on how individual voices have a collective strength in them. I found that out watching my host dad come home every night, filling me in on the status of different candidates’ campaign, the number of hours he (my host dad) volunteered at his preferred candidate’s campaign, and the amount of money he donated to it. All of these seemed crazy and quite overwhelming to me. I had never seen people being so immersed and involved in politics! 

You see, in Pakistan, politics is all about arguing with the people who have different opinions than you. It’s hardly ever been about caring enough to listen and being a better citizen, which is why not many people like to associate with politics. Volunteering for a campaign or at a rally is almost never heard of! (Maybe I am generalizing, but overall, it’s quite true.) So, my idea of participating in politics was limited and ignorant.

 

The day of the election in November 2012, I can’t tell you how much that day meant to me. I saw the excitement and anticipation in every one’s eyes. People everywhere in the US were constantly reminded to go vote. Those who had already voted that day were showing off their “I voted” stickers. You should have seen my host dad! He was running around and volunteering in different places. The atmosphere was just like no other; it was something else!

The meaning of politics and elections for me has forever changed because of that day. My host dad’s caring about elections made me realize what a blessing we were taking for granted: democracy is participating in an election without intimidation, that’s what makes a democracy a democracy! How can I ignore the fact that Pakistan was under martial law for many decades? I am not saying it was good or bad, I am just saying, imagine not voicing your opinions about the government or worse, not voting when you can! That’s what it made me realize. 

Now I understand, charity begins at home! As a service to my community, my first obligation is to be an active member of the society by performing my civil duties, like voting or voicing my concerns when needed. Perhaps this is what makes America one of the most successful countries in the eyes of the world. It may have its issues, but at least most of the civilians try to perform their basic civil duties. And that’s beautiful. That deserves to be respected!

If you are wondering what made me think of the US election in the middle of July, the answer is simple and obvious to many Pakistanis around the world. Pakistan is having its General Election on July 25th, the day when the public decides who gets to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the next five years! Whatever the outcome of the election may be, I’d like my fellow Pakistanis to just go out and perform their civic duty of voting!

As my time in the US comes close to the end, my goal for the future is to be a better civilian, to be a better participant of the democracy that I live in, doesn’t matter if it is in my home country or anywhere else in the world. And maybe one day everyone will try to do just that and that might be just enough to lead the world into inevitable peace. Here’s to world peace! See you in the next one.

 

 

Nelofar Sultan from Pakistan is a senior studying English for New Media at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. 

 

Follow us:
Written by

Study in the USA

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the blog post titled New Year, New Me…not!
New Year, New Me…not!
Main image for the blog post titled An Open Letter to Lycoming College
An Open Letter to Lycoming College
Main image for the blog post titled Learn to Protect Our Environment for a Living
Learn to Protect Our Environment for a Living
Main image for the blog post titled Learn English at Disney
Learn English at Disney
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Jamestown Community College SUNY

Jamestown Community College SUNY

$15,000—$20,000 Year

English Programs Summer Online
Contact
University of Massachusetts Boston – International Program

University of Massachusetts Boston – International Program

$15,000—$20,000 Year

Bachelor Degree Masters
Contact
St Joseph's University, New York

St Joseph's University, New York

$30,000—$35,000 Year

Masters Bachelor Degree
Contact

Related Stories

'We Don't Settle, We Succeed'- 2014 Commencement Address from Valencia College student Angel Sanchez

Main image for the article titled 'We Don't Settle, We Succeed'- 2014 Commencement Address from Valencia College student Angel Sanchez
President Obama Delivers 2016 Rutgers University Commencement Address!

Main image for the article titled President Obama Delivers 2016 Rutgers University Commencement Address!
From Student Blogger, Jefferson: 3 Tips to Succeed in College

Main image for the article titled From Student Blogger, Jefferson: 3 Tips to Succeed in College
From Student Blogger, Jefferson: Don't We All Deserve a Prom?

Main image for the article titled From Student Blogger, Jefferson: Don't We All Deserve a Prom?

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for CORT Furniture Rental Student Packages

CORT Furniture Rental Student Packages

Most U.S. apartments come unfurnished. Make your move easy with a student furniture rental package from CORT. Flexible lease terms. Delivered before you arrive. Starting at $99 per month.* *with a 12-month lease

Read more
Partner service logo for Search for Education Loan Options today!

Search for Education Loan Options today!

Nomad Credit helps international students search for and compare education loan (student loan) options, including options for students with a US cosigner or those pursuing a graduate degree. The Nomad team will personally help you with your education...

Read more
Partner service logo for A cheaper, faster way to send money abroad

A cheaper, faster way to send money abroad

Join over 6 million people and businesses who get a better deal when they send money with the real exchange rate.

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

I wish I had found Study in the USA earlier. They have such a presence and strive to help anyone make their dreams come true.

Boa Astrid Haegg Wass Sweden

StudyUSA.com provided me with important information that was sent to my e-mail.

Carlos Javier Obando Gamboa Columbia

Studyusa.com gave me a lot of idea for my first steps to study in the U.S. They also introduced me to many helpful schools to choose for my career. Thank you so much!

Ly Von Le Vietnam

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    English

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.