I’m so fortunate that I studied in India to broaden my humane horizon by rationalizing 9 reasons to study abroad. I studied at iconic Aligarh Muslim University‘s commerce department from 1993-1996 in the graduation program.
It is time to share my viewpoint which I’ve learned from the experiences while studying abroad. I have made new friends understand new cultures, gone to new places that I have never thought of before. It’s simply amazing. See the world from a different perspective. When you study abroad, everything changes.
1. Making Good Friends: One of 9 reasons to study abroad
Firstly, I have broadened my social group in iconic Aligarh. Meeting classmates from all over the world and start mingling with the locals. Being proactive talker to foreign students, it helped me to understand them better for an up-close and personal view sharing. Meaningful connections with friends from all over the world were built. I made sure to keep in touch with them after my return to my home country.
2. Traveling Was Easy: Two of 9 reasons to study abroad
Secondly, when I was a student in Aligarh, I was a backpacker during the semester break. I easily hopped on a train to Shimla or get a local bus to Agra or Nainital. A whole new part of the world was in my reach, making it easy and inexpensive to take unforgettable trips.
3. Becoming Bilingual: Three of 9 reasons to study abroad
Further, an interesting perspective and learning. When I admitted to AMU, I observed road side wall communication with local Hindi and Urdu language; it was like Hebrew to me. Later after knowing the culture and language from my curriculum, I could read fairly well both languages. But can’t speak well.
4. Embracing Your Interests
Moreover, I was born sporty. All-day I dreamt about sports (ADIDAS). When I study abroad, I spent many hours in outdoor activities like cycling, jogging, and swimming. I have played many matches in our english-looking university Cricket Ground. I was in love with Cricket from my teen years.
5. Knowing New Culture
A new country means new foods. Since we were student, we always look for healthy food in cheap and best possible way. Every time at the tea stall or food at Dhaba had given us countless memories. Maatri omelet, samosa, biriyani, kebabs, jilabi with curd were few yum names which I still smell of it all.
6. Beyond Comfort Zone
When you leave behind everything from your home that was comfortable, you will find yourself in some unwanted situations that you never thought of. I can share my few experiences while studying abroad. Firstly, using common bathroom in a hostel type building was unexpected experience for me till my first year of education. Secondly, weather of Aligarh was too harsh to acclimatize. It was extreme hot in summer time and cold in winter compare to my home country. Lastly, missing out good foods on the table back home and motherly love, I missed that part a lot. Gradually I put myself out there and overcome with every situation.
7. Seeing Your Own Culture Differently
Once I celebrated Eid-Ul-Fitr in Chandigarh with my friends. We had nothing to do after Eid Jamat at Chandigarh Jam-e-mosque except for observing local people. We all had homesickness feeling on that day. After seeing another way of living, I had a new perspective on this new place and learnt to accept what I have around. As the day progresses, I roamed around the city with my friends and enjoyed the most planned city of India.
8. Self Discovery
Studying abroad will discover you differently. I had to take care of everything all by myself. No family members, no supporting hands, no nothing made me self-made man. By expanding the boundaries of my world, out of many discoveries, I discovered myself as a better cook after my return.
9. Socializing with Own Community
Like-minded Bangladeshi folks in Aligarh were blessings for me to hang out. Still, I have connections with the Bangladeshi community with whom I still communicate. I used to hang around with them on special occasions, chilling around and partying all night long. I still remember we had a picnic at Aligarh Fort with my friends which I still cherish fondly.