Alumni Impact: Meet Heena for International Day of Education
Alumni Impact is a social media campaign that recognizes the excellent work being done by FIUTS alumni all around the world. In honor of International Day of Education on January 24, meet Heena, a FIUTS SUSI alumna from India, and learn about her work on empowering women through education!
Meet Heena:
I’m Heena Kazmi Afandi, a 20 - year old girl from Hyderabad city, India. I have completed my Bachelor of sciences in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from Madina Degree College affiliated with Osmania University, Hyd. And I am currently pursuing my master’s from St Ann’s pg college affiliated to Osmania University, Hyd. I am also a part of a youth empowerment organization called Rubaroo , who had introduced me to this opportunity (SUSI) and supported me all the way through, and is always up for help.
I participated in the FIUTS SUSI on Education and the Future of Work, representing India, in 2021.
During the virtual part of the program, I experienced a different culture through educational and cultural exchange gained a deeper understanding about myself and those around me—deepening the knowledge of foreign cultures and strengthening international relationships.
SUSI was an incredible experience studying about work and labour in the U.S. I gained a lot of knowledge, had tough conversations with people around, developed a sense of patience, independence, and global exposure. I have learned leadership skills and styles. For me, this was extremely impactful, because I have always had leadership positions in academics.
Through SUSI, I have made friends globally. Such an amazing cohort I must say, sharing each other’s thoughts and explored different leadership styles as well, every moment of SUSI had an experience to impact.
Another important fact is that I have got closer to the U.S consulate of hyd, INDIA, I am extremely grateful to Mr.Senthil Kumar (Cultural Affairs Assistant, U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad) and Mr. David Moyer(Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad) for their unwavering support and guidance from day one of my project.
ABOUT HEENA’S PROJECT:
Sharing about My Community Action Project, which is on the theme “Women Empowerment” entitled “Break Through Barriers.” Being someone who believes in what she does, this project has paved a way for me to bring the change I always wanted to make in the community. Empowering women with education results in a positive impact on the future.
To inculcate the importance of education, to ignite the spark of self-reflection, to encourage education that brings about change not only in an individual life but as a community. The project targeted a group of 25 potential individuals organized a workshop that promotes change in the community, encourages the importance of knowledge in various sectors(health, civil responsibilities, business, reproductive health of women etc ) influenced by guest speakers from respective sectors:
Firstly I made a Team called Break Through Barriers and was so fortunate to have friends who were equally enthusiastic and dedicated towards making this project a great success, as they have been involved in social activities for the past 3 years.
Syeda Farwa Fatima, Rahma Qasim Syed, Zehra Fatima, Razia Mubeen & Summaiya Simran are the core team of Co-facilitators.
The workshop was held at Madina Degree & Pg College, located in Telangana, India, from 28th of December to 31st of December 2021.
The theme of my project coincides with the foundation of this college. This college supports women's education and promotes it. Through this college, many females from minority communities got educated. And this college even helps in women's employment. For this project, the college Director Mr. K.M Minhajuddin and Principal Mrs. Afroz Asfia supported us by giving us the space to conduct the week-long workshop on the college premises, and also in promotion of this project by posting it on their websites and social media handles.
Participants of Breaking through Barriers Workshop
A vision to bring a positive change in every individual during the course of the project gave a nod to ingrain the impact enduringly. It will empower them to face any obstacle and overcome hindrances posed by society in the future. Interaction among groups and allowing them to speak individually will build up their confidence and enhance skills of communicating clearly and embracing different ideas
Allowing the participants to acknowledge their identities, inspiring them to identify themselves using these identities, influencing them with personalities that can guide, encourage them to initiate activities in their own communities, and train them to persist with the values shared during the project will definitely set milestones along the journey. The interaction, awareness, and perception of the participants will eventually contribute to the success of the project.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
For me SUSI was a life-changing experience and was so blessed to have the support and guidance from my parents throughout the project. Looking forward to hosting the closure event (5th Day) of this workshop soon.
I’d like to express my gratitude to FIUTS, Meridian International Center, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S.Consulate of Hyderabad, India for believing in me and for supporting me. I hope to meet everyone I met during the online SUSI part in person this year.
The Study of the US Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by Meridian International Center and FIUTS.
SUSI programs promote a better understanding of the people, institutions, and culture of the United States among international students, teachers, and scholars. Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) are short-term academic programs for groups of undergraduate leaders, educators, and scholars from around the world. Hosted by academic institutions throughout the United States, these 5- to 6-week Institutes include an intensive academic residency and an integrated educational study tour. Extracurricular cultural and community activities help to broaden the participants’ understanding of U.S. society. Learn more about SUSI programs here.
Guest posts on the FIUTS blog represent the experiences and views of individual writers. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FIUTS or any organizations or institutions affiliated with our programs.