I believe this exchange has been a phenomenal one. The more I think about it the more I am lost for words, as I donít think I can do justice nor convey what exactly happened in three weeks. It was nothing less then magic...
 
The first weekend we went to Washington, DC... We were a group of about 25 comprising of Sissonville students, exchange students, Sissonville teachers, one host mom and myself. We visited the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, the US State Department, Capitol building and museums. And of course, we passed by the White House on our way back to Charleston. The trip accelerated our bonding process...
 
We started our second week with more zeal and anticipation. We took different classe and I made comparisons with my school [in Pakistan]. I was also very much interested in SHS's special education program because my school, like SHS, is one of the few schools in Pakistan that try to include special students with the main stream. [When I return to Pakistan], I will try to match my special ed teacher with the special ed teacher at SHS. I had a lot of discussions with different teachers and found out so many areas where Cardinal students and SHS students can work together...

Attending [ISSA] conference was a teacherís dream come true. I could just feel myself drooling over all those classroom materials and new ideas. And then I couldnít wait to return home and try them in my classes. There were so many professional development opportunities that at times it was difficult to choose what I want to do. It also made me realize something: It was interesting and sad to compare attitudes of teachers back home and here at the conference. But then I could understand the reasons as well. Itís at these conferences where teachers are energized to try new things in their classrooms and make them interesting. I wish my government or someone from the private sector could sponsor at least one or two person every year so that they can avail such opportunities. 
 
By third week the tempo had really been built up. We spent most of the time in the library talking to different classes, which would often result in interesting discussions. Such as a comparison of Islam to Christianity and Judaism, life styles in Pakistan and America, opinions about both governments, the cartoon issue, role of media in portraying who we are, dating & relationships and many more. We also tried to teach cricket to SHS students. We made our traditional dessert (Gulab Jaman) in the cooking class and we learned to make cinnamon rolls.
 
And then the tempo reached its climax... We were given a farewell party and I could see everyone, including me, trying to hold back our tears. Teachers as well as students. It was amazing how in this short a period we came close to each other...
 
Thank you to all who made this trip possible for us and I wish there would be more opportunities like this for other people. Because this trip has gone a long way in helping me understand the people of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!