The U.S. Embassy Dhaka’s EducationUSA team organized a Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) session at the EMK Center for 120 Bangladeshi students who will begin their studies at U.S. colleges and universities in the upcoming Fall 2024 semester.

Stephen Ibelli, the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Counselor, congratulated the outgoing students in his welcome remarks. “Bangladeshi students enrich U.S. campuses and strengthen people-to-people ties. A record number of 13,563 Bangladeshi students studied in the United States last year, making Bangladesh the 13th highest-sending country of international students to the United States. This represents a 28% increase from the previous year, one of the highest worldwide,” said Ibelli.

The event featured several distinguished speakers, including representatives from the U.S. Embassy Consular Section, EducationUSA, U.S. university international admissions officials, current students, and recent alumni of U.S. universities.  The speakers offered practical tips and shared diverse perspectives on the academic, cultural, and lifestyle differences that students will encounter while studying in the United States.

In his remarks, Stephen Ibelli encouraged students to take advantage of resources available at U.S. institutions as they embark on this exciting journey of academic, professional, and personal growth. He emphasized the importance of embracing new experiences and building a global network of friends and colleagues.

Over the past decade, Bangladeshi students in the United States have increased by more than 300%, from 3,314 in 2011-2012 to 13,563 in 2022-2023. The number of Bangladeshi undergraduate students increased by over 50% to approximately 2,500 students, while nearly 10,000 graduate students make Bangladesh the seventh largest source of graduate students in the United States. These figures highlight strong educational ties and the high demand for U.S. degrees.

In Bangladesh, EducationUSA advising services and reference materials are available at locations across the country, including the American Center at U.S. Embassy Dhaka in Baridhara, the Edward M. Kennedy Center for Public Service and the Arts in Gulshan, and the American Corner in Chittagong, where trained advisors lead group information sessions and provide individual counseling services to students and parents.  EducationUSA reference libraries and remote advising services are also accessible at the American Corners in Khulna, Sylhet, and Rajshahi.