Medical student explores UTSA via State Department’s Global UGRAD-Pakistan Program

Bilawal Nadeem is studying at UTSA and other institutions to learn more about the U.S. health care system.

Nov. 27, 2019 — Each year the U.S. Department of State’s Global Undergraduate Exchange Program welcomes about 200 undergraduates from Pakistan to study in the U.S. One of those undergrads has found a spot this semester at UTSA. 

The university is hosting Bilawal Nadeem as part of the Global UGRAD-Pakistan program, which places participants at U.S. colleges and universities for one semester of nondegree academic study to promote a greater understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. 

Nadeem said he chose to apply for the program as an opportunity to learn about the U.S health care system and experience the cultural diversity. 

Nadeem, who is a medical student at King Edward Medical University in Punjab, Pakistan, opted to explore UTSA’s public health major within the College of Education and Human Development’s Department of Kinesiology, Health and Nutrition. 

“Everybody at UTSA has been so helpful and supportive.… Even if you do a little good, you are encouraged a lot, which motivates you to do more.”

—BILAWAL NADEEM, Exchange Student in Global UGRAD-Pakistan Program

“I chose this area because of my interest in public health research, which I think is important, especially for a developing country like Pakistan,” he said. 

During his time at UTSA, Nadeem said he’s been shown nothing but support. 

“Everybody at UTSA has been so helpful and supportive,” Nadeem said. “The thing that I’ve loved the most was encouragement. Even if you do a little good, you are encouraged a lot, which motivates you to do more.” 

Nadeem has interned at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Texas with Edwin Whitney and at UT Health San Antonio’s MD Anderson Cancer Center with Anand Karnad. He’s also completed about 20 hours of volunteer work at the Baptist Medical Center. 

“I think I am more confident and open-minded after this beautiful journey,” Nadeem said. 

⇒ Explore UTSA's Department of Kinesiology, Health and Nutrition.
⇒ Learn more about UTSA's Office of International Services.

Those in the Global UGRAD program develop expertise in their academic fields, gain a broad and nuanced understanding of American culture and values. Since the program’s inception nine years ago the participants have volunteered more than 36,000 hours of community service across the United States. 

Global UGRAD-Pakistan said its participants enrich the lives of the Americans they meet by sharing their unique viewpoints and backgrounds and bringing a global perspective to their host communities. These ties endure, with over 95% of program alumni maintaining relationships with Americans they met while in the United States. 

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with funding provided by the federal government and administered by the International Research & Exchanges Board, a nonprofit that specializes in global education and development.

— Valerie Bustamante

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