Shohidur pursued his Master's degree in Information Technology: Communication Systems and Network at Tampere University of Technology. He found this programme via Studyportals. We asked Shohidur about his experience of searching and applying to a university abroad.
Tell us a bit about yourself
This is Md. Shohidur Rahman. I am 29 years old and I come from Bangladesh.
What is the name of your university? When did you start studying?
I have been studying Communication Systems and Network at Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland. This is a two years programme.
Why did you want to study abroad?
I wanted to experience how studying in the “developed world” is like. I have a Master’s degree which I have completed in my home country. Then I decided to go for international education, in order to have the experience to go back to my home country and contribute here.
What were your main priorities when choosing your university and your programme?
I was looking for universities that have good international recognition and also offer subjects of my interest.
I checked their world ranking and research facilities as well. I didn’t forget to gather information about the tuition fees and living costs. And, of course, the culture of that country or city was important (for example, where people are not racist).
Was this your first study choice? What other universities did you consider?
I attempted the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) but then did not apply at any university in the USA due to application fees and other complexities.
I found that applying in Finland was quite easy and one of my colleagues already studied there. To finalize the decision process I asked my teachers about the university. When they gave me positive feedback I made my decision.
Did you know from the start that you wanted to study in that particular country and city?
To be honest, initially I did not have any clue. But later, when I started applying, I narrowed down my choices.
How did Studyportals help you in your decision process?
Studyportals provided information about different universities and subjects with other information like tuition fees, living costs, etc. All of these helped to make a decision.
Did you take a language test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS) when applying for the programme?
I took the IELTS test and my luck was not with me on that day. I was expecting a good score and even believe that I deserve much more than what I got. I think a lack of preparation was the main reason for not having a score that I was expecting.
Book an IELTS test in your country!
What would be your advice for students that consider studying abroad?
Be adamant to chase your dream and do not give up.
What financial advice would you give to future students?
Universities charge no tuition fees here and also provide discounts for housing and foods. I work part-time to afford it all. I would recommend students to have a financial back-up for the first year.
After studying one year they might get a part-time or full-time job. Also, I would recommend to always take the chance to work in projects with different companies.
How would you rate your experience on a scale from zero to ten?
7.
Is there anything that you would do differently if you could do it over again?
Nothing.
What was the biggest surprise in your study abroad adventure?
Walking over ice to attend class.
Were you inspired by Shohidur's story?