Stanley and students pose for a group photo in Pakistan

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Your home DVR wasn鈥檛 going to work for this TV appearance.

Seven 天天吃瓜 students joined Chair on a study tour to Pakistan in late March and early April鈥攁nd ended up on a morning talk show.

鈥淲e were asked to participate in the TV show to share our positive experiences while in Pakistan, shed light on the issues of women empowerment in Pakistan, and to increase opportunities for students coming to Pakistan to study in the universities,鈥 said Stanley, who was joined on the 鈥淲orld This Morning鈥 show by Omar Alba, Nicole Babbini and Kim Miller. 鈥淭he students were prepared to share their insights and felt excited to be able to share their experiences in Pakistan as well as their interests from a student perspective.鈥

鈥淲orld This Morning鈥 focuses on music, film, fashion and social issues. During the appearance, hosts Maha Makhdum and Shahzad Khan asked the group questions about the nature of their visit and what the students are focusing on in their studies.

鈥淎s part of the University, we are cultural ambassadors and we are here to form and maintain a relationship with the University of Management and Technology,鈥 Stanley explained. 鈥淎nd to work on social development projects, to look through the lens of women, children and communities and to try to bring about change that is better for those at the margins so that they can come to the center for opportunities and access.鈥

Miller, who will graduate in May, wants to work with impoverished communities.

鈥淢y target is women. Back in the U.S. my internship is with Girls in the Game, and we help girls become leaders,鈥 she said on "World This Morning." 鈥淚鈥檓 going to grad school, and my concentration will be leadership. That looks at developing programs, developing models that can help the community, the family system and people in general.鈥

While the two-week trip also drew press coverage from , the and the , it was primarily about learning. Students Frank Belizaire, Claudia Lopez, Wannea McDaniel and Julia Ramirez also were part of the March 18-April 3 experience that included visits to community-based schools, hospitals, orphanages, historical sites, and scholarly lectures and exchanges. They visited the School of Business  and the Office of Internationalizaton at the University of Management and Technology in Lahore.

The study tour experience was designed to expand students鈥 worldview through the interaction with students, professors, community activists and community members in both rural and urban communities in Pakistan.

鈥淢y research and teaching interests include community and international social work,鈥 Stanley said. 鈥淚 teach in both of those curriculum areas and use my experiences and expertise as a foundation for teaching and learning among and between students.鈥

After returning from Pakistan, Stanley鈥檚 students quickly prepared to share their newfound knowledge.

鈥淪tudents were provided many opportunities to explore the issues of social justice, inequality and access,鈥 Stanley said. 鈥淭hey engaged in primary research activities and shared their findings at the Annual Student Research and Creative Activities Symposium on April 14.鈥

Stanley, in cooperation with the Office of International Programs, offers an international study experience once a year. Past tours have visited South Africa, Mexico, Jamaica, Ghana and India, all with a focus on social development and women鈥檚 empowerment.