Being in a place where Urdu is the language of daily life adds so much breadth and depth to the learning experience, and now it is easier than before to visit Pakistan due to visa policy update. 

I came to Pakistan on a tourist visa and have been taking classes at Zubaan. It has been challenging but fun to try out my newly acquired knowledge in real world situations. The people I encounter on the street or in shops or taxis use phrases that expand my vocabulary. They aren’t trained like my instructor to structure their questions or answers within the framework of what I have already learned.

I experienced many communication failures, but the thrill of successfully getting my meaning across makes the struggle worth it. People are usually surprised and pleased that I am interested enough in their culture to try to learn the language. 

If you have considered coming over here for work or as a tourist, there is good news for you related to getting a visa. I found it to be a somewhat daunting process when I first applied for my tourist visa. However, in August of this year (2024), the Pakistani government decided to streamline the process for certain categories of applicants and remove the processing fee for the citizens of 126 countries, listed on the government website. All you need is a passport and photo!

The visas are called Visa Prior to Arrival (Business) and Visa Prior to Arrival (Tourist). There is a third category for Sikh pilgrims. The visas, barring any complications, will be granted in 24 hours. This welcome new policy is part of the Pakistani government’s efforts to attract more businesspeople and to build up the tourist industry in this beautiful country.

Please check the government website, links below, to see if you qualify for this new plan.

https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/visa-prior-to-arrival/

https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/visa-prior-to-arrival-tourist/

https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/visa-prior-to-arrival-business/  

~Shared by a current student at Zubaan 

Living and adapting to a new place and culture is full of challenges. Join us for one of our seminars and leave with practical tips and tools on how to transition well and raise Third Culture Kids. Message or email us to register. info@zubaantraining.net or +92-310-9777720

Today I, Michaela Bekaan – Director of  Zubaan, had the privilege of conducting a teacher training workshop at the National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad. The Urdu department invited me to share my thoughts on teaching Urdu as a Foreign language. Close to 30 highly motivated Urdu teachers were present; many of them have been teaching Urdu to foreign students for years. I was encouraged by their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn how to teach better. We at Zubaan look forward to further cooperation and engagement in spreading a passion for the Urdu language together.

Are you an Urdu teacher and interested in our teacher training, our material, and resources? Drop us a message and we are happy to help you.

Contact: info@zubaantraining.net or +92-310-9777720

The dates for the next round of Inter-Cultural Trainings are out – we are planning numerous trainings for Spring 2022 in Islamabad (in-person).

By the way, if you are intersted, but the dates/timings don’t work, just get in touch and we will see what we can do. Also, if you want us to organize a training for your company/team/family, message us and we will gladly organize a customized training for you.

It was a pleasure to be interviewed by Nida Qasim, freelance writer for Youlin Magazin, a cultural website created with teh objective of activing as a cultural bridge between the people of China and Pakistan it is the first bilingual online magazine of its kind.

Nida Qasim first came across our book Qadam in the language materials section at Saeed Book Bank and she writes:

“I was initially pleasantly surprised by its design. When I went through the book, I found that it contained well broken-down modules for learning Urdu, which featured a simple to read yet appealing format. I was surprised when I found out that the writer was not Pakistani but German. After learning this fact, I became even more curious and searched Qadam’s website to learn that there is an entire institution behind this book, which has helped expats, diplomats, individuals running businesses, overseas Pakistanis, foreign students, individuals married into Pakistani families, tourists, and even local Pakistanis themselves become proficient in the Urdu language since 2017.”

Click here to view the full article

 

 

We are excited to let you know that we are (finally!) planning our next Inter-Cultural Intelligence Training in Islamabad. Yes – face-to-face.

See the above flyer for details.

For questions, email/ whatsapp us.

If you are not in Islamabad and are interested in a training online or face-to-face in your city/compay, let us know and we will gladly organize a customized training for you.