What no brochure tells you

Every year, thousands of students leave Bangladesh to pursue their higher education abroad. While glossy brochures and university websites highlight academic excellence and vibrant campus life, the lived experiences of international students reveal the less glamorous—yet deeply meaningful—side of the journey. We spoke to three Bangladeshi students studying in the United States, Australia, and Canada. Their insights capture both the challenges and the opportunities that come with this life-changing decision.

The importance of scholarships, communication, and small talk

For Amrin Tasnim Rafa, now at Kenyon College in the United States, money and communication were the biggest hurdles. "Ask for more scholarship money, and apply to more places to increase the odds of getting it," she says. "Both quality and quantity of applications matter."

Even after arriving, the adjustment wasn't easy. Rafa recalls being "intimidated by professors and administrative figures and avoiding communicating my needs with them." What helped was seeking out campus counselling and other mental health services—a reminder that support systems exist, but students have to make the first move to access them.

Cultural differences also hit hard. To cope, Rafa stays connected to home while reminding herself that people everywhere share the same highs and lows of life.

"There will always be something that you can find in common with people from the opposite end of the world," she explains. She also holds onto the idea that her unique background enriches the communities she has joined in the U.S.

Practical benefits, like work opportunities and health insurance, vary from one American university to another. Rafa advises incoming students to study the details of their financial aid packages carefully and to learn the F-1 visa work regulations, including CPT and OPT. Her biggest preparation tip? "Small talk—very, very important. Good conversation skills go a LONG way in getting jobs, getting into the classes and clubs you want, and not being socially isolated/excluded."

Adjusting to practical realities

At Monash University in Melbourne, Rafid Saadman Rasul quickly discovered that studying abroad is more about hands-on skills than memorising theory.