Twenty-two-year-old Samara Chowdhury is a junior at Le Moyne College majoring in Biology, with a pre-health track. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia but had to move back to her parent’s homeland, Bangladesh in 2007. She was raised in the vibrant capital city of Bangladesh—Dhaka. She spent thirteen years of her life there, and by the time she was eighteen, on November 1st in the wretched year of 2020 she arrived in New York amidst the global pandemic, and she finished her high school education at Fayetteville Manlius High School.
Chowdhury shared her experience being an international student in the U.S. and talked about the differences in the school systems between the two countries. The school she attended in Bangladesh followed the British curriculum and was very dependent on academics rather than extracurriculars unlike the schools here in the U.S..
“While many kids aimed for Ivy League schools, I aimed for good, longstanding state schools,” Chowdhury said as she spoke about her process of applying to colleges here in America. Le Moyne College was the best fit for her, she explained, as she had romanticized the idea of attending a nice college, as well as the convenient option because she was offered the most financial aid here.
Chowdhury also shared, “I have been juggling three jobs since my freshman year, whilst being a full-time bio major, to make ends meet.” She would work in between her classes or after classes depending on her schedule. Given this lifestyle, she has learned to take care of herself without the help of her parents, budgeting her earnings accordingly so that she has enough to spend on food, tuition, and transportation, all the while affording rent.
“One of the biggest struggles I have faced would be not being able to come home to my parents at the end of the day, or having a warm home-cooked meal, and maybe the worst, having to figure out how to take care of myself when I am sick and have zero energy,” said Chowdhury.
Even though she misses her family, she still feels grateful for having the opportunity to grow independently which is something she feels couldn’t have done living in Bangladesh. “I believe I am exactly where I need to be in life,” she said. “Yes, the road is shaky and bumpy, but that is your 20s for you. You just have to learn to enjoy the ride and make the most of it.”
Le Moyne College is lucky to have such a capable and commendable student. Chowdhury’s life is an encouragement and a testament to us that despite all our adversities, one can achieve their goals by simply working hard.
