Visit to Federal Reserve Bank Boston

Yesterday (21 September) the Humphrey Group of Boston University visited the Federal Reserve Bank (generally called the Fed, it's the central bank of USA) Boston. We'd to take the Green Line of Metrotrain, got off at Park Street Station & then heading to South Station catching the Red Line train. After the usual security check-ups, we're taken to the 8th floor of the Research Dept . Mr. Jeff (Sr VP), Ms Jane (VP) and Mr. Tom welcomed us in a small but cosy conference room. Then they answered to our questions very eloquently. In the discussion, recent subprime rate in mortagage loan crisis, interest rate cuts by the Fed, peoples expectation & Fed Policies, independence of Fed from day to day politics, its decision making mechanisms etc. came up. We learned some things about the Fed.

My Blog Assignment

This semester I registered for 2 courses (Introduction to Ecommerce & Web Design by the lecture Mr. Brian Howland, and, Internet Marketing and Business Strategies by Dr. Vijay Kanabar) at BU which are directly related to designing of blogs/websites. In the last class of Ecommerce, course instructor Mr. Howland gave us a task to create our own blog as class assignment.

Fortunately I started creating my own blog since I came to USA about 2 months ago. Mr. Keith of SUNY at Buffalo helped me learning this technique.

With my little blogging experience, I hope to survive at least this assignment.

Iftar Party

Last Saturday I was taken by Mr. Mahmud, a well accomplished professional working in Boston, to his house near Andover (about 20 miles away from Boston). Mahmud is from Khulna, had his degree from IBA, DU, now working in a multinational hedge fund. In his house I met his friend Mohammad & his wife who live in NY, Saiful, Mahmud's younger brother & many others of BD origin. We'd a iftar party in a festive mood (with prayer & religious fervors of Ramadan). All of them are very friendly & have good touch with the status of ongoing Bangladesh situation. Then at about 10 pm Saiful took me to his store at Dorcestor, Boston. It's his own business, not very big in size but very good sale( I observed for hours since he closed that at around 12.20 am). He's got some other stores & also planning to start some new ones. Saiful is an example of many Bangladeshis who came here for economic success and achieved that.
Yesterday on Sunday, Bangladeshi muslims arranged an iftar party (Break of fasting in Ramadan month) at the Islamic Center of New England at Sharon, MA. About 400 muslim male & female gathered there for iftar. After iftar, they prayed salat. It was a great social gathering too.

Chilli Party by host families - wonderful experience

Yesterday on Sept 8 evening, all Humphrey fellows of BU were invited to a chilli party organized by the American host family volunteers. The idea is to connect a bridge in terms of understanding among the Americans and the Humphrey fellows each of whom represents a unique culture of their own country. So while enoying the food, all kept on talking with each other as liked and thus learning more about others. This is not an end. Each and every fellows are assigned with a particular host family and they're expected to meet occassionally with the host family for the rest of their Humphrey Year. A special bondage is to be developed that way - great idea indeed !

BU Humphrey fellows are greatful to all who're volunteering to be a host family this year - Sally, David, Don Murray, Gloria, Kate, Kip, Matt, Julie, Doris, Laura, Kevin, Lucy, Dan, Jessica, Bill, Bob, Adam, Carmen, Debbie, Gail & others. Thanks to all of them.

The chilli party was held at Julie's house in Newton city, a little away from Boston city. We all enjoyed the gathering. But what surprised me most is that Don Murray, my host family husband joined the party wearing a yellow T-shirt with big lettered "Bangladesh" on the chest (see the picture). Don loves Bangladesh much & actually visits there often (even in January last this year - to Khulna region). He's also a great craftman- showed his homemade sample ship. Cool stuff ! I look forward to enjoying more joyful times with my host family.

Boston Duck Tour

AS the last program of the orientation stage at BU Humphrey, a duck tour was organized on last Friday 31 August. Tour vehicle is a duck like motor vehicle which can be driven in the streets as well as into water. Seat capacity is of about 25 and almost open where both sides are covered with transparent plastic windows. The tour takes about 2 hours when the driver explains little history and other info eloquently while passing through the famous locations or buildings.

The fascinating part is when he drives the vehicle into the Charlie river and expose tourists with splendid views on both sides of the river. On the east side lies Cambidge city along with its famous MIT and many bio-medical reserch institutions/companies. Harvard University is also not far. On the west side is Boston University and of course Boston city downtown with many skyscrapper buildings. Showing some great views of Boston & Cambridge, it turns back and finally reaches the point where from it started - Prudential Center. Freedom trail and Alexander Graham Bell's house I liked most. It's a wonderful tour experience.