I am just your average girl from a middle-class family in Bangladesh, with light in her eyes and a heart full of dreams. After high school, the idea of studying abroad felt both surreal and scary. I remember the day I arrived at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia to study Artificial Intelligence. Honestly? I was scared to my core.

I struggled to live without my parents for the first time. It felt utterly lonely and confusing. Navigating my new life here was a bit of a challenge as MRT maps made no sense and there were days when finding a place to live felt like war. But looking back, that struggle was the "seed" that shaped me into who I am today.

I remember one night, I fell so sick with a high fever that I couldn’t move or even stop crying. I wanted to leave Malaysia so bad. However, that was the moment my housemate showed me simple kindness, the kind that makes you realize family can be found anywhere.

One of the most unforgettable moments was celebrating New Year’s Eve at KLCC. It was the first time in my life I had ever truly gone out into a sea of so many people. Standing there under the glowing twin towers, surrounded by thousands of strangers, it was an exciting, thrilling, and completely magical moment all at once.

In the classroom, AI felt like a different language. I had to comprehend complex algorithms and mathematics that seemed beyond my reach. Yet I refused to stay silent. I engaged, I asked questions, and my professors motivated me to keep going. The girl who once feared the future is now standing tall, loud and cheerful. Today, I am incredibly proud to be the International Student Lead for the Academic Wing.

Malaysia gave me more than just a title, it gave me a community. I’ve met incredible people while shifting houses, at events like Festival of IDEAS Putrajaya and UTM International Cultural Event. Celebrating the world’s diverse cultures was pure joy.
Now, not to forget the universal language of the human race: Food. My bank account hates to see me coming because I can’t resist the variety of food here in Malaysia! Whether it’s devouring dozens of satays in one sitting or enjoying mala tang hotpot with BBQ, every meal feels like a celebration.

To anyone afraid of taking that leap of faith: it’s okay to be scared. Malaysia has taught me that when you have the privilege to dream, you must live to your fullest, taking in every good and bad in all your experiences. I came here for a degree, and found my calling and true voice too.