One of the ways I encouraged my students was by having them interview foreigners. The students were asked to prepare thoughtful questions and conduct interviews with our foreign friends, who joined either in person or online. These interviews became a very exciting activity for the students because they could talk directly with people from other countries and learn about their cultures, work, and experiences.

Through these interviews, students gained more self-confidence and improved their communication and English language skills. They learned how to ask questions clearly, listen carefully, and respond politely—skills that are useful in every part of life. For many students, meeting and speaking with foreigners was inspiring. It showed them that the world is much bigger than their own city and that their voices can reach beyond Afghanistan.

Having a connection with foreigners is itself a valuable opportunity for Afghan students. They learned about new ideas, modern education systems, career paths, and even scholarship opportunities from people who had lived and studied abroad. These interviews motivated students to think about their own dreams and goals and gave them hope that they too could achieve great things.

Because of the positive impact, I dedicated a special page of the monthly newsletter to interviews. This allowed students’ questions and answers to reach many readers in the community, giving everyone a chance to learn from these conversations. The interviews also became a way to celebrate curiosity, learning, and friendship across borders.