In conversation with Navin Rahman, a 21 year old attending Colorado College currently in her Junior year, who describes her journey three years back across the seven seas. The Colorado College is a private liberal arts college in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It was founded in 1874 by Thomas Nelson Haskell.
Can you tell us about your educational background in Bangladesh?
I studied in Scholastica from kindergarten to grade 10, took the O levels there, then went to Hong Kong to complete my IB at an international high school (UWC) which is equivalent to A levels and then came to college here in the US.
Currently what is your major at Colorado College?
I currently just finished my third year in college studying International Political Economy, and minoring in Arabic Studies
What were your subjects in your O-levels and A-levels?
For my O-levels I took Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, English, Pure Math, Math B, Bangla, Art, and Economics. And for IB (A’levels) I took English Literature, French Beginners, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Economics.
That sure seems like a lot of subjects. So initially you were a science student?
Yes, I was still considering pre-med at my college; but it’s a complicated situation with med schools. Apparently you cannot go to med school in Bangladesh two years after your high school is over, getting into US med schools for International Students is nearly impossible.
What made you decide to go to Hong Kong?
Scholastica advertised about it, hence I got to know about it in the first place. I researched about the school a little bit and talked to an alumni, it looked like a great opportunity. There is a national committee in every country that sends students to UWC campuses. Has one in Bangladesh too. So I took the exam and went for the interview.
When did you decide you wanted to attend college in US?
I decided towards the end of my IB. I picked US because I wanted to go to a liberal arts school. I just didn’t think I was ready to specialise by then. I wanted to explore my options more and I am glad I did so.
What sort of idea did you have about Liberal Arts Colleges?
Liberal arts colleges let you try different disciplines and activities. So, for example, at college I am not just getting a good foundation in my major (that is IPE), but I took classes such as Arabic, Bio, Chem, History and so on. I studied abroad in Jordan and Morocco as a student exchange programme, also did research in Switzerland with venture grants.
So, you applied directly from Hong Kong?
Yes, during my summer holidays I had applied and also went for my visa from BD.
Did you apply for financial aid of any kind?
Yes I did that too. I received somewhat 80% financial aid. US schools are expensive!
In order to apply for financial aid, what was required in terms of paper work?
Mainly official documents, my parent’s incomes, employment details, our expenses (my sister was also in school) and such.
Can you give me a ballpark figure of the tuition fee at Colorado College?
USD 52,000 per year, that is inclusive (room and board, tuition, books and supplies).
Tell me about your dorm life .
It’s very engaging. In my first year I lived in the house called “Global Living Learning Community,” which is a community where we did a lot of activities like organising International Film Festival, Global Summit, etc.
