Introduction
“I would definitely encourage other people to apply to the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, and for people from the United States to come to Egypt. It’s very important not to just listen to and watch the news, but to come to my country and community, to learn more.” Abd Elghany Barakat, high school exchange student from Egypt who is Blind.
Today, more than ever before, there are hundreds of opportunities for students, teachers and professionals with and without disabilities to live, study, work and volunteer in the Muslim World, which includes countries in the Middle East, North Africa, South and Central Asia, Europe, Southeast Asia, East Asia and the Pacific. From short-term intensive Arabic and Turkish language programs for adults and professionals, to year-long academic exchanges for high school and college students, and faculty, people with disabilities have a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultures and languages of the Muslim world, gaining critical competency in area studies, Arabic, Turkish, Indonesian, and other important world languages.
Students and professionals from predominantly Muslim countries are also traveling to the United States in greater numbers to share their cultural traditions with students and families across the U.S. in an effort to promote mutual understanding and respect around the world. This year alone, 675 students from the Philippines, India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Nigeria and many other countries are having the experience of a lifetime living and attending high school in the United States on the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. Among these students are students with disabilities like Marlon Celson, a high school exchange student and person of short stature from the Philippines. “I decided to go to the U.S. because I wanted to broaden my horizons. I wanted to experience a different way of life in another culture and to increase my knowledge about people. I also thought that the experience would be beneficial in years to come because I can gain knowledge and self-confidence.”
International exchange opens up a world of possibilities, both personally and professionally, and builds lasting friendships between people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. In this special issue of A World Awaits You online journal, you will find information and stories written by people with disabilities who followed their dreams to the United States or to a predominantly Muslim country, and had the cultural experience of a lifetime.
“I now know how important it is for those of us with disabilities to share our experiences, especially in the areas of education, adapting to the world around us and gaining our equal rights. As Americans, we have much to share with others about what has and has not worked with regard to disability rights in the United States. It is also true that people with disabilities in other countries have just as much to share with us.”
Sarah Presley, Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco who has a visual impairment
For information on exchange organizations that offer programs in the United States and in predominantly Muslim countries, and related websites, please see the Finding an Opportunity article.
What Others Are Saying About Their International Experiences
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Experiencing a New Culture
“My first few months in Morocco were very exciting and quite overwhelming. New Peace Corps friends, a new culture, new sounds, new smells, a new language: all of these were exhilarating.”
Sarah Presley, a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco who has a visual impairment.
"We spent spring break in Turkey. That was really incredible because it is a Muslim country. Definitely my conceptions have very much been informed by [my] experience there.”
Chris Opsal, a woman with diabetes who traveled as a student to Turkey during her semester abroad in England.
"I visited Petra, a world heritage site in Jordan, and took a donkey cart down the canyon to experience the archaeological sites. I went with one donkey cart and my wheelchair went with another. People in Jordan treated me equally and respected me as both an American and as a woman with a disability. It was the most rewarding experience I've had in a long time."
Alicia Hays, a consultant who traveled to Jordan to provide technical assistance trainings.
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Gaining Professional Experience
“Professionally, it has made me a more effective teacher. I’m also more optimistic than ever before. I see progress.”
Ken Rutherford, a professor of political science and amputee who spent five months in Jordan as a Fulbright scholar.
"What I realized is that people with disabilities worldwide need to get together, need to have a strong network to support each other. I have learned what disabled people are doing in other countries, and this helps me to develop and improve my skills in advocacy within my local community in Lebanon."
Mohammed Loutfy, a professional with a disability from Lebanon who worked as a Junior Fellow with the World Bank
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Building Confidence
"The most rewarding part of my experience [in the U.S.] was discovering new things that I had never seen before. I have learned American Sign Language and communicated with others. My parents noticed that I no longer keep to myself out of shyness."
Loudemyr Garcia, a high school exchange student from the Philippines who is Deaf.
“I was already an open-minded person, but I realized that you just have to treat people with respect. I had not one negative thought while I was there. I feel like I can do anything now.”
Shonda McLaughlin, a wheelchair user who spent a month in the United Arab Emirates as a Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange (CIRRIE) fellow.
“When I came back to my country, I noticed that I have now more confidence in myself. I understand things better and I accept others better than I even used to in Lebanon.”
Kawthar Taleb, a high school exchange student from Lebanon who is blind.
“The most obvious change I noticed about myself is the fact that I have gained more self-confidence. It is particularly important to someone with a disability because it enables us to do more things, try new experiences and grow as a person. Also I think my thinking has matured because of this experience. My parents noticed that I have become more independent.”
Marlon Celson, a person of short-stature who lived with a host family in Michigan as a high school exchange student on the YES program.
“[Since arriving in the U.S.] I’ve become very open-minded and flexible. I think that Egypt won’t recognize me [when I return home]. My parents say that I am very mature now. I can solve my own problems now. I can make decisions.”
Abd Elghany Barakat, a high school exchange student from Egypt who is blind.
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Serving as a Role Model
Matthew Clark, a wheelchair user who spent three weeks in Afghanistan with The Mobility Project.