It is never too late to chase your dreams

If someone had told me a few years ago that one day I would travel to the USA, live there for a year, and also study in the IB (International Baccalaureate) curriculum, then I wouldn't have believed them. Before 2023, I was just a regular student at Monipur High School and College, which follows Bangladesh's national curriculum in English.

I had just finished my Secondary School Certificate examination, and my life was structured with studying hard, taking exams, and repeating the cycle. However, I have always wondered whether there was more to education than just memorising facts.
 
That curiosity encouraged me to apply for the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program, an opportunity that offered a scholarship to live and study in the United States. Even though I had never been abroad, I still dared to try. The application process was intense, and I wasn't sure if I would make it. After taking written tests and undergoing interviews with the US Embassy, I was thankfully selected from thousands of applicants. A total of 15 applicants were chosen from Bangladesh.
 
My life took a drastic turn from then on. My time in Ohio exposed me to diverse cultures and taught me to adapt, question and explore. I had the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., during Civic Education Week, join community cleanups, and even take music classes at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. During that year, I had the opportunity to meet people from around the world and realised that learning can happen anywhere, from a regular classroom to the inside of a Senate chamber, where policies are formulated.
 
I returned to Bangladesh in 2024 and knew I couldn't return to my old curriculum and routine. I began searching for other opportunities, and what I discovered became the next significant thing in my life. I found a scholarship opportunity at ISD (International School Dhaka) and applied. The IB Diploma Programme is the perfect fit for me. It combines real-world thinking and rigorous academics - something I have been looking for since I came back from the US. I was initially nervous after switching to a national curriculum. But the teachers and students have been extremely friendly and made me feel at home. A highlight for me is that most students come from diverse backgrounds, representing around 30 nationalities.
 
I joined ISD as a Grade 11 student for the IB Diploma Programme. I chose double science: chemistry and physics, along with mathematics, Economics, Bangla and English. My favourite subjects are Economics and English - these are the two areas I barely had the opportunity to explore in my old curriculum. Additionally, the IB's Extended Essay (EE) teaches me how to excel in independent research, whereas CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) fosters us to support marginalised communities. Now, I am doing everything that has a purpose. The best part is how the IB curriculum prepares us for university, something that others don't.
 
Looking back, I can see how each step—my time at Monipur High School and College, the YES Program, and the IB curriculum—has shaped me. I come from a middle-income family, and without the opportunity of scholarships in both Ohio and ISD schools, I wouldn't have been able to experience so much in my life. That is why I dream of making education more affordable for people like me; money should never stand in the way of potential.
 
To any student reading this, particularly people from the national curriculum, please know that your background doesn't matter and doesn't define your future. It's okay to take risks, try something new, and apply for various programs, such as the IB curriculum and the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange. At first, it may feel scary, but it could be the path leading you to your success and dreams.
 
Remember, it's never too late; I am the living proof.