The number of Bangladeshi students going to the United States has tripled since 2009 and reached a new all-time high last year, the US embassy said.
Over 8,800 Bangladeshi students are studying in the United States during the last academic year.
The embassy said this as Ambassador Earl Miller on Sunday congratulated outbound students who are beginning their studies at U.S. colleges and universities during the spring 2021 semester.
Miller and the U.S. Embassy Dhaka’s EducationUSA team hosted Bangladeshi students for a virtual EducationUSA Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) session through Zoom.
In his remarks, Ambassador Miller encouraged students to have faith in themselves and never hesitate to lean on others for support as they prepare to embark on this exciting adventure of creative, academic, professional, and personal growth.
These students will attend various colleges and universities across America after successfully navigating a competitive admission process.
The programme consisted of presentations from several distinguished speakers that included representatives from the U.S. Embassy Consular Section, EducationUSA, U.S. university international admissions officials, current students, and the president of the American Alumni Association.
These speakers provided students with practical tips and diverse perspectives on the academic, cultural, and lifestyle differences students will navigate as they study in the United States.
More importantly, the session noted how COVID-19 has created new challenges to learning and instruction.
Towards the end of his welcome remarks, Ambassador Miller encouraged students “to build meaningful relationships to develop communities of support as they strive to overcome unforeseeable obstacles.”
As role models for prospective students throughout Bangladesh, the EducationUSA team urged students to stay connected and share their experiences of applying and studying at higher education institutions in the United States with others.
In Bangladesh, EducationUSA advising services and reference materials are available at locations across the country, including the American Center at the U.S. Embassy Dhaka in Baridhara, the Edward M. Kennedy Center for Public Service and the Arts in Dhanmondi, the American Corner in Chittagong, and the American Corner in Khulna.
At these locations, trained advisors lead group information sessions and provide individual counseling services to students and parents.
EducationUSA reference libraries and remote advising are also accessible at the American Corners in Sylhet and Rajshahi.