The YES Interview

I was at the counter of Ali Bhai Center in Karachi,was a bit excited about my YES interview because I had cleared the Slep test and was selected for the interview.I went to the counter asked the man sitting over there about IEARN Center, he told me that the center was on the third  floor.I was very excited and was rushing towards the center.So finally after stepping many stairs I reached the center ,which was in the corner of the street on third floor.I went near the door,knocked it and the Door was opened.I entered  the office and  met Mr Shujaat Baig he is an IEARN officer.He was just sitting near the door and he gave me my name card on which my name was written and told me to go to the iearn office on the top floor because our interview was to be taken there.
I rushed towards the top floor because I thought that I was late for interview and reached the office.Before opening the office door on which IEARN was written I was confused and worried because for the first time I was going to give an interview and I was thinking that inside would be students from very rich families because I had seen it in the test.Today the interview was to be taken from Interior Sindh selected students.Nevertheless I opened the door and saw some students sitting on the sofas .They were all having having wore a clerk paint shirt and a tie and I was having just a normal shirt and paint.It was looking that they all have come here for a job interview, there were girls too and they were having girl dress. Well the accountant there told me to sit and wait .I sat on a sofa beside  another tie paint boy.Everybody was talking in English but I started talking in Urdu with the boy sitting beside me.I noticed a girl who was looking sleepy and was siiting beside that boy.I started talking to her in Urdu but she was answering each and everything in English but I did n,t stop talking in Urdu.So finally after an hour the other students from Karachi who were having interviews got their interviews finished and now Sir Irfan Waleed who is program manager in IEARN told us to go in the discussion room.The discussion room was a small room where there were 4 tables arranged in a square shape and seats were kept in front them.We all sat on the seats ,there were 12 seats and we were also 12 students,6 boys and 6 girls.Sir irfan told us bit program information and then he told us about the parts of the interview.There were three parts of interview 1)Writing 2)Discussion 3)Interview.Then he gave us a question paper, a supply and a pen becuase our Writing session was going to be started.The question paper was having three questions on it .The first question was about the reason  for why we wanted to go for an exchange to US,the second question was about any lesson learned in life and third question was about any tragic moment of life where you learned an important lesson.The 2nd and 3rd question were a bit similar.We were given an hour time for writing all this.The minimum answer should be of half page sir said.And we all beginning writing.After 45 minutes Sir told us to have that the office has arranged lunch for us guys.We all become worried that some of our time would be wasted but sir said that we will be given 15 extra minutes then all become cool.We all went in the waiting lounge had our lunch and came back to our seats.And again the wriiting session started ,I was very worried while writing  because I am a bit slow writer but Thanks to God that I finished the work five minutes before the time.After five minutes everybody was finished with his her work.Now the 2nd session was discussion session.Now this time another Sir come,Saleem Ibrahim.He was going to listen our discussion .He told us the topic which was Why we want to be exchange students in US.We all 12 students started discussing,everybody was actively participating in it.We all were giving were good views about that but there was a boy who was silent all the discussion maybe he was hesitated well I don't know why he was.Well the discussion time was finished I think it was half an hour long.The main part was now started which was interview .Sir Saleem left the room and told us that in few minutes everybody would be called one by one for the interview in IEARN office on third floor.Everybody,s turn was coming everybody was going one by one and finally my turn also come .The accountant received the call and she took my name and said me to go down for the interview.I rushed towards the third floor and reached the office I entered the office and Sir Shujaat baig told me to go to the corner room because my interview was to be taken over there.When I entered the room I saw Sir Irfan and Sir Saleem becuase they were going to take my interview,They started asking me a lot of questions about myself,,my dream host family, pets etc.Actually now I realize that they were actually checking my flexibilty to problems and how I am facing my problems.Well I answered each and everything and my answers were quite satisfying .My interview went good and it was fun meeting new people and making lots of friends.

And don't miss my next blog!

My YES Slep Test.

So nearly two months were passed  since I had posted that registration letter and still I had got no update about that,I had thought that YES slep test invitation come just some weeks after posting registration form but it had been now two months and still no update.I was worried but very worried about that.At the same day I had also got Intel provincial science project competition letter stating that I am selected for participating,which was to be held in Karachi,some of madd got other school friends also had got same.I was happy about that but at same time I was also worried about my YES slep test letter.I went to my father,s office to show him that letter which is just five minutes walk from my home.                                                                               At the way to office I thought 'Okay I did,nt get selected in YES but at least I have got selected in Intel" but I was unaware that a surprise is waiting for me.I showed my father that letter and he was happy about that.I went home afterward ,offered prayers and had my lunch.When I was all free and was thinking about intel so suddenly our house bell rang and I rushed towards the door because it is my habit.On the door was my dad,s office pion ,who had a letter with him which he gave me saying that my father has given it.I was very surprised to see that it had IEARN logo on it and I was even more surprised when I opened the envelope and found written that I am selected for the YES slep test which was to be held one week after in Hyderabad.
So finally I was in Hyderabad six days after with my father.We came here on train.And were staying at my Uncle,s house .We reached here at 10 o clock at night and were very tired so after the dinner and eating ice cream outside we slept and next day I was having my test.So it was the Good day of Friday and I had my test at 2 o clock in after noon.
We left the house at 1 o clock and walked to the Mosque and also venue for the test Indus Hotel was just beside that mosque.We offered the Friday prayer and I prayed for my test.and I think my Father too....
So we finally entered the hotel and it was just awesome,I had never seen such a beautiful thing in my life!
We asked a clerk of hotel about the test and he told us about pearl hall where the test was to be conducted.When we reached that so I saw a rush of boys and girls of my age at the doors of the hall but soon realized that there was rush but not too much because I was actually thinking a mirror wall also real.lolz!
So finally a guy opened the doors from inside and told every participant to come in.
So finally the tension began. I entered the hall,two of my friends were also with me for the test .The seats were arranged in a row and whole hall was air conditioned.Yeah!
There were 200 students in the hall  from all over interior Sindh and their were three examiners, two of them were looking YES Alumni and other one was a serious looking guy looking 40 to 45 in age.
So me and my friends sat behind one another and I was the third one.So finally after checking and explaining us all the things about test ,the test was started and we started struggling our best although the test was simple but the last part of Listening comprehension  in which we have to listen the dialogues was most difficult .The best thing about test was that there was no negative marking.
Now I was solving the last questions and some of my questions were remaining but time is time,the examiner ordered us to put our pens down because time was finished and the clock had struck five so I left six problems unsolved.
The examiner told us that results will be announced in 15 days and passed ones will get a letter for interview and he also told us names of some websites where we can calculate our imagined score ourselves .Let me told you that we had to minimum  do 50 score for passing the test.
Nevertheless after test  the head examiner instructed us to leave the hall  and we all went out.My father was waiting for me outside the hall.I went towards him and told  him about the test!.Well commonly if you leave six questions ubdone you surely will be tensed but I was not.Because I had confidence on myself and there 174 question in the test!.What happen if I did,nt do six of them!.
So finally we went home my uncle,s home had our dinner and left the city by train.Bye bye Hyderabad.
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The Ultimate Truth

So finally I am not going on August 24 but me and some other guys named Rehan,Uzair,Abdul Wali,Tahir,Sijel,Emmad,Aruba and Abbas have got delayed upto early september because some of us have not got visa yet including me and some have not got placement yet. And we all have been informed that we will be going between 2 to 10 september.awwwwwh!

I still remember sir irfan,s(YES Programme officer) text msg telling that I will be going in september group that was just a heavy blow to me because I always think positive about everything even last night I had some thoughts that may a call come describing that I am going today!.
But I know that whatyever happens,happens for best!.And this hope is a good companion for me and my other YES delayed friends.I am happy that I am not alone because there are also other guys with me because when you are alone so it feels very bad.Oh my God!.
But now there are some new hopes which are establiushed as we can go through london this because 24 YES group has gone through bahrain because every group has different international flight city as I think,may be our group will have to meet President Obama in Washington DC and there can be other things too!So my group guys just cheer up and be ready for your best experience!Because God always do good for us but it is we who take it negative!.And remember guys God never do injustice!

Finally next year!

Finally that year came when I was to apply for that american scholarship!.let me add here that the scholarship name was Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program.It was June and I was in Karachi at my uncle,s house for vacations.Just recently I had given my board exams for tenth class at my hometown and that day my result was to be announced,.I was very nervous as we know everyone is nervous before their result,but I was a bit more nervous because I had got A grade(74 %)in my ninth board exams and however this year I had to got A one grade(80%) in tenth .I was too much nervous and I was just praying that somehow this result get delayed.I don't know why I was feeling like that.Nevertheless the board result got announced and I was shocked to heard that I got A grade again(77%).aahhhh!

I was very upset on it!,because my mostly friends had got A one grade,But I had also little satisfaction that 77 is not bad either however it,s not B grade because my some friends had also got B.

After all the worries ,everything become normal again.Well this year I had to apply for YES therefore I was preparing myself for the the YES Slep (Secondary school level english proficiency) test by reading "Wren and Martin,s high school English grammar".I was also taking help from my uncle if I was getting any difficulty in it.

But soon I get bored and just left reading that book.

Well it was now July and I had returned my hometown but still a month was remaining in opening colleges. So I had too much time for fun. I had also got  YES Registration  form for slep test but I just kept it locked in bookshelf till august.

August also arrived and then the thought of YES came in my mind.What did I do that I just opened the shelf ,took the form and read it once and also read it to my father .Then we discussed about it and my father gave me permission to participate.

I was happy but I say very very happy!.Then in few days I just completed the requirements mentioned in form like filling it,getting sign of my school,s principal and school stamp on it and last three years school transcripts.

Now I had just to send it to IEARN OFFICE IN Karachi.Which my Father did.

I was knowing from my friends that whoever is accepted for test get an invitation card for it from IEARN,s office in September and test is taken one week after it .So I stated waiting till September.

The beginning!

15 AUGUST 2010!Fisrt day of my school and first day of my tenth class


It was just a simple day.I heard my friends in school talking about any american scholarship,at first I noticed them carefully,but soon I forgot that thing.I just continued my simple boring life as it was passing me by.One day after school time ,I was going my home.All of sudden when I just passed from the school gate,I was just some foots away from the gate I heard someone calling me.It was my friend Rahat,who is my classmate,I just looked backside to see him then all of sudden he asked me"Hey Umar!have u got registered yourself for the american scholarship".I just got very surprised and thought that the thing I was finding from whole two months has just arrived!.Ya let me tell you one thing that I was too much upset in summer vacations that year because many of my school mates had done many achievements and only I was left alone!.I was depressed and even crying when I was alone!.I very happily asked my friend about registration so he advised me to meet our school clerk for registration.Very happily I just rushed to my school,s clerk,s room but I just loosed my hope when I heard that she was not knowing anything about it!.Sadly,with very bad mood I went home.Then at reaching home I just thought to ask about it from from my friend Eric about it ,because he also got him registered.I took my phone and texted him about the scholarship.He told me that Monday was last day for submitting forms and we also have to get school principal,s signature on that form. As it was Friday that day and my school is off at Saturday too.The chance was just impossible.I thought I can't  get everything ready before Monday because registration could take three four days ,so I just loosed my all hopes and thought I will just remain a looser  in my whole life!.But I was also happy knowing that I still have a chance to avail this dream because I could apply next year because 11th graders could also apply ,so I decided to apply next year!