I am not going to start off by saying that I have always been focused in life or always knew what I wanted from it. In reality, it was quite the opposite. I chose to study Economics at my Bachelors level at a private university (North South University) in Bangladesh, much to the surprise of many, for several reasons: I had a Science background in my higher secondary level of education; my plan was always to do my undergraduate abroad; and, private university was ‘apparently’ a place for the ‘social ones’ who wanted to get easy As. Well, looking back from where I am today, getting into NSU, with all the insecurities and uncertainties burdening me, is the best decision I have taken till date. The four years of my undergrad really helped me explore and finally find what I wanted from life. I did my second major in Environmental Science and realized that the field of Environmental Economics is my true calling. So, while still in my third year I started looking at Masters level program in the country that I always dreamed of studying at – the United Kingdom – for a program that would quench my thirst to know more about the relationship between the natural environment and the economy and how to use one for the benefit of the other.
Not long after, while still searching for the right program, juggling course work, teaching assistantship tasks and club activities (I was then the Treasurer and later became the President of the Economics club of my alma mater, Young Economists’ Forum), I heard about the prestigious Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. Let me be honest here; what firstly attracted me to this scholarship was not the honor that came with it or the opportunities: it was the fact that I could do the whole of my Masters in the land of my dreams without having to ask for one penny from my parents who were my biggest supporters throughout, but had always given up on many small dreams of their own to get the best for me. Surprisingly, the day I absolutely decided that I was going to go for a Commonwealth was the day I decided to apply to Durham University’s Masters of Science in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics program. Although, I got into the London School of Economics and Political Science, I received the Commonwealth from Durham. So, without further delay I went for the latter and if I had doubted that decision then, I don’t now! Commonwealth scholars are a class apart and respected wherever they go; the recipients of this award automatically register themselves among a band of selected people who are doing or will do the best in their careers and countries.
It has been a little more than a year since I have returned from the UK and the word ‘Commonwealth’ has opened up almost inaccessible doors for me. It would not be an exaggeration if I said that I have the best job in the world teaching young adults about the importance of saving the environment at my alma mater, North South University as a Lecturer. Currently, I am doing research on topics like ‘Valuation of Ecosystem Services’ and ‘Climate Finance’ and planning to go for a PhD in Environmental Economics. I truly believe that environmental issues like Climate Change and Natural Resource Depletion are two of the biggest issues being faced by Bangladesh at present and hence, armed with my educational qualification and knowledge I will leave no stone unturned to solve these problems to better the lives of the people of my beloved nation.
My UK experiences are very dear to me and one of the most memorable one was the Welcome Dinner hosted for the scholars a few days after the commencement of my Masters program. Thanks to the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission and Durham University, I acquired academic and social experiences that were better than what I had expected and if you are a new Commonwealth Scholar scared out of your wits and nervous, just remember – you are embarking on one of the best journeys of your life thanks to this award and your life will keep changing for the better as time goes on. Trust me on this one.