Ayush Shrestha, 19, recently visited the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh at Basundhara to submit the documents required for his further education in Bangladesh. He finished his +2 from GoldenGate International College this year, and is planning to do MBBS in a college affiliated to Dhaka University.

“My elder brother is also an MBBS student in Bangladesh and is in his final year, doing internship. Since he says that the education there is very good, I’ve decided to study in the same college he’s enrolled in for my MBBS degree,” he shared.

Like Ayush, many Nepali students go to Bangladesh for higher education every year. According to the Embassy, around 7,000 Nepali students are currently enrolled in different universities for various courses in Bangladesh.

As shared by Mohammad Barikul Islam, Head of Chancery at the Embassy, many Nepali students go there, mainly for MBBS degrees. Other popular programs are engineering, nursing, pharmacy, and development studies.

“Many Nepali students choose to go to Bangladesh as the universities there are very good. The lecturers and professors are friendly, so students won’t have much problems adjusting in the college environment,” shares Islam.It is easier to get enrolled in private colleges than in government ones, as a lot of documentation is required to apply in government colleges, he informs in addition.

Acquiring student visa to Bangladesh is quite simple, too. Documents like formal proposal from the educational institution the students want to study in, bank solvency-related information and the academic results should be presented at the Embassy to apply for the visa.

Also, the northern part of Bangladesh is nearer to Nepal, which is why many students from eastern Nepal go to study in the colleges in that area. This way, they need not stay far away from home to aspire good education, and can visit their families on holidays on a frequent basis.Another reason why Nepali students choose Bangladesh for higher studies is the foreign exposure.

Pratistha Kharel, a student pursuing MBBS degree in the Medical College for Women and Hospital in Uttara, Dhaka, shares that studying environment there is good. Besides, she is happy that she is getting to learn many new languages.

“I’ve made friends with many international students. Many of them have come from India and Saudi Arabia, and some of them are from Canada, too. Studying with friends from distant countries has made me outspoken and confident,” she says.

Likewise, adapting to the social structure of Bangladesh is not so difficult for Nepali students, either. The language Bangla is similar to Nepali language, and after a few months of learning, Nepali students are able to speak the language fluently.However, there are some aspects of the Bangla culture that do surprise Nepali students.

“Seeing women walking down the streets in burqa did amaze me in the beginning but now I’m used to it. And it’s compulsory for us to wear kurthas in hostel and school,” Pratistha says.Likewise, students seeking higher education in Bangladesh should also keep in mind the weather, which is very often too hot. Pratistha says she prefers to stay indoors during the day to escape the scorching sun.

Some adjustments need to be done with the eating habits, too. “Beef is very popular in my neighborhood, but I’m not really fond of it,” she says.However, parents in Nepal need not worry about their children studying in Bangladesh, says Chancery Head Islam.

“The Bangladeshi society is quite strict when it comes to discipline and moral values. The universities will make sure that the students are focused on their studies, and it’s much less likely of them falling prey to drug abuses and alcoholism,” he claims.

Similarly, talking about the education system in Bangladesh, Deepa Shakya, Private and Social Sector Development Consultant, shares, “I wanted to do my Master’s in Development Studies in the South Asian context. That’s why I chose to go to Bangladesh. I got enrolled in the East West University in Dhaka and got full scholarship for the last two semesters on merit basis. The university provides quality education and focuses mainly on seminars, paper presentations and practical aspects. So education-wise, I’m fully satisfied with what I’ve achieved in Bangladesh.”

She also advises, “But not all colleges in Bangladesh are as qualitative. Students should apply in only those universities that are accredited and well known. Otherwise, they may end up in colleges without proper resources and quality education. Many scholarships are provided to students on the basis of their academic performances. So a thorough research is a must before applying to any college or university.”

Deepa further suggests that students who aspire to study in Bangladesh must be observant about the culture there and act accordingly. “There may not be problems everywhere but in areas like the suburbs of Dhaka, there are certain norms you should abide by. People there expect you to dress properly, which is also for your own benefit, as it saves you from being eve-teased, among other inconveniences,” she says.

In the same way, Islam suggests that prospective students do research on their own about studying in Bangladesh instead of relying on consultancies.

“Consultants charge a huge amount of money to students. So, rather than seeking their help, it’s better for the students to do the research themselves. They can learn about the courses from the websites of the colleges and can contact them directly,” he concludes

source: republica,7 Oct 2013