Job Discussion Forums

[fingerpanit]

as the title of this thread says...

I would like to work in Pakistan and be in immersed enough in the cultures so as to become fluent in Urdu...

Unfortunately Peace Corps does not do service in South Asia...

Anybody have any ideas? The only way I can imagine becoming fluent in Urdu reasonably quickly is by going to the country...

I've found some volunteer positions at elementary schools to help teach English in some villages. I may do that in the future when I'm more financially stable (after paying off some school loans etc...).

Before anybody says anything about India, I don't really have a desire to go there as I don't really have a desire to learn Hindi or Indian culture. (I am aware that Urdu and Hindi are mutually intelligible at the typical conversational language level).

To reiterate myself.

Give me some SPECIFIC ideas I can use to become fluent in Urdu via going to the country?! i.e. info about jobs, urdu language schools, community/village service, homestays, etc. thanks.

[Mideatoo]

[been_there]

Fingerpanit,

I've been to Pakistan, and there is not much call for native English speakers. The local level of English is fairly high and many people have studied in England.

I'd suggest you move to Jackson Heights in NY or Croyden in South London if you want to learn some Urdu from native speakers. Get a job doing ESL and hang out with your students in the evenings.

[fingerpanit]

[fingerpanit]

[nabs2g]

Hmmm some dodgy responses to that. It is true you can learn urdu without going to pakistan - I am not sure if you are from the uk? If so theres lots of schools - but u have too research into it.

Despite what everyones comments there is work in pakistan (i should know im pakistani). It is true lots of ppl know english - its kind of how it is in india. However if you try and get the contact details of some schools and email them they could help you.

I am not sure if you just want to do teaching or if ud do community work and be happy to be unpaid and just get bored. There are so many grass roots orgs out there - try and research on the net - bt i know the aga khan foundation do A LOT of communit work especially in the poor regions of north pakistan. Also try contacting islamic relief (a uk muslim charity based in birmingham) just type it on google n their site will come up. u cud try emailing them and they could help you - as they do work out there and they could have contacts.

hope that helps

[fingerpanit]

I am living in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Thank you for response nabs2g, it was very helpful.

I have done research, and like you said, it seems the easiest way to get to Pakistan and immerse myself in the language is to do volunteer service...

-aaron