Settling in US late- a big trade-off

Today (12 Jan'08) I spent an enjoyable day with good Bangladeshi style food. Because I's invited to my classmate Kamona Saha's house. By taking a ride in Washington DC metro train, I first went to Metro Center, then changed train to go Silver Spring by the red line. From there Kamona & her husband took me to their house by car (about 10-15 minute drive from the station). Famous TV channel 'Discovery' is headquartered at Silver Spring city. Through the Discovery building glasses in the ground floor, I noticed a huge Dynosore skull standing tall.

Almost the whole day in her house we talked, tasted so many foods and left in the evening. Kamona's husband, a polite and lovely man, loves eating foods. Good day I passed indeed.

Kamona Saha & me - both got our education in Economics Dept of Jahangirnagar University and both joined the civil service the same year (though she in Administration & me in Trade service). But after serving quite a long time she left her govt job and for the last 9 years leaving in USA. Her husband was also a high official of Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) who left everything behind to get settled here. Now both of them work in a pharmaceutical chain store & in order to survive both of them work at least 8-10 hours a day. They know better than others how hard it is here to earn money (unlike the perceptions of many in Bangladesh who think dollars fly in America). They're, however, not in a very bad position (have bought a townhouse, though by bank loan) and their daughter and son studying in university & high school respectively.

But, in consideration of their official postions back in Bangladesh (very shortly Kamona could be at Joint Secretary level official) & their everyday hardwork, their sacrifice or opportunity cost(tradeoff) for getting settled here is a bit high, I think. This is because they're late starter. Point is, if you plan to settle abroad; plan & do it as early as you can . Anyway, all the good wishes for them.

Working with the World Bank

My professional affiliation with the World Bank has started a day before - from 20 Dec'07. As a part of the Humphrey program, all fellows are required to do a 6 week long professional affiliation with any org/institution based in USA. It may be local or non-local in respect to the host campuses. I chose doing with the World Bank - a non-local one.
Even though some hassles and excess costs involved (like getting a short rem accomodation, moving to a new place and so on) with a non-local affiliation, choice of World Bank is great, I think. Also to get an offer from them is tougher. But I pushed hard and did manage to get that. Because I think my exposure to WB activities on trade matters would help me and also Bangladesh in future. Because WB policy decisions influence BD a lot.
So far I worked in WB for just 2 days. Working in the PREM (Poverty Reduction & Economic magement) unit of South Asia Region. My superviser is Dr. Sandeep Mahajan who looks after some aspects of trade related matters of BD with WB.
Despite the fact that WB offices in DC area are scattered in several buildings, major one is the main building. Most activities are in the main building. It's a nice, modern and very spacious building . Great work environment for an institution like WB, as expected. But the Cafeteria & Dining related facilities I'm most impressed with. Different type of food you can choose- African, European, South Asian & so on. Dining hall is so big & so many people busy with eating & talking to their table mates (it's more like one to one or one to few business meetings). I'm informed that at WB head office, almost 10000 people work. In different floors Christmas trees are decorated. But the one at Lobby area is so big & small flags of all member countries are placed on the tree there.

Heavy Snowfall

Right now heavy snow falling over New England area. It started from noon, already 4-5 inches snow. Boston University classes and also many services were cancelled this morning. Everything looking as white as snow. It's really wonderful scenary.

Last week there was snowfall. It took almost 5-6 days to clear. Just when it melted, today's heavy snowfall came. I think, we've to pass this long winter time with such snow experiences. Next week I'm inshallah going to Washington DC for one month to do a professional affiliation with the World Bank. No idea what would be weather there. But whatever be, I gonna taking it easily.

Sporting Event

Last Saturday (8 Dec'07), we ( BU Humphrey group) organized a special sporting event at Fitrec (Fitness and Recreation Center) of Boston University. Some MIT fellows also joined us. Wives and children of some fellows joined us. We played soccer, badminton, table tennis & basketball. It was great fun.
Fitrec is a modern and state of art sporting center. Most modern gym, swimming pool, rock climbing, cycling & squash center and several indoor stadiums which can be converted to soccer ground, volleyball, basketball, badminton, table tennis or other games. A food court serves the vistiors' needs. All possible amenities are available there. BU can boast of having such a center.

Thanksgiving Day 2007

On 22 November 2007 (Thursday) we experienced the great thanksgiving day of America. Our host family (Don Murray & Gloria Murray) invited me and Sarah Namuli, another Humphrey Fellow from Uganda. We reached Murray family’s house of Braintree at around 1.30 pm.

The house looked neat and clean. The dining room was in a festive look. There we met the bigger Murray family – 2 sons & 1 daughter along with their 5 kids in total. Don, Gloria and also Diane, their youngest daughter-in-law cooked all foods – Turkey, potato mesh, salad & so on (forgot some names).
With thanks on Thanksgiving day, we started our dinner with Turkey, bread, butter & other stuff. Food was good in taste & we’re not in a hurry. So we kept chatting while eating. Different issues came up in discussion including recent cyclone damages in Bangladesh. After sometime once we finished the main course, desserts were served. It’s apple pie, ice-cream and another cake. We enjoyed that also.
Finally at around 6 pm Don & Gloria gave us a lift back home. In the meantime I captured a memorable thanksgiving day with Murray family.

Castle Island visit

On 10 November 2007 (Saturday) my host family Don Murray & Gloria Murray took me to the Castle Island, a little island very close to the Boston airport. It's so named after the fort situated just on the brink of the Atlantic Ocean. The fort once used to accomodate a huge number of British soldiers in the sixteenth century. Even though the weather was very chilly & breezy that day, I being accompanied by Don & Gloria enjoyed a long walk along the seaside and viewed wonderful scenery.

Then Don took me to their house at Braintree where we'd a long chat the whole evening. Don showed me his album full of pictures with Bangladeshi orphan girls. The orphanage in Mongla area is run by a Christian religious group Don associated with. I had some good talks with two grandsons of Don & Gloria. Don made some apple pie & other stuff with which we together enjoyed our dinner. It's such an evening that very difficult to forget. Thanks to Don & Gloria.

State Department reception to humphrey fellows

A welcome reception was given to humphrey fellows 2007-08 by the US State Dept on 30 Oct night. All had to pass through security gates and many antique enriched rooms/corridors till the main hallroom. Ms Karen Hughes, special advisor to the US President welcomed fellows with her eloquent and forceful speech. Also ambassadors/high officials of the diplomatic missions of the countries having fellows this year attended. Everybody engaged themselves in meeting with someone new, greeting, talking, eating and more noticeably taking photographs. It was a great networking scope for all.
On my query, Mr. John Sedlins, Chief, Humphrey Fellowships and Institutional Linkages Branch of the US State Dept responded that even after being the State Department official, he himself rarely gets the scope of getting into the hall. Being in the State Dept mainhall was a great honour indeed. As a Humphrey Fellow really feel proud !