Crossing Borders: Studying Medicine in Bangladesh

Hi there, my name is Jayshree, and I am attending National Medical College in Bangladesh to pursue my MBBS. You may ask why am I studying medicine in Bangladesh when the majority of Indian students are going to Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Ukraine.

- Jayshree

Let me share my story with you. I went to Russia and got enrolled in a Russian university before moving to Bangladesh. After reaching Russia, I came to know that it wasn't a legitimate university. A one-storey building housed their whole medical college. Apart from that, there was no hospital where students could receive practical education. Additionally, the country was, and still is, at war with Ukraine.

Cultural norms in Bangladesh

Now that I'm in Bangladesh, I had a huge culture shock, especially considering how different the social norms are in a predominantly Muslim country. In contrast to India, the environment in Old Dhaka made me rethink what I wear in my day to day life. At first, it felt wrong to be in the market wearing a t-shirt because the locals prefer more traditional clothing. I therefore started dressing in salwar kameez and a dupatta, which have now become a regular part of my wardrobe.