How 14 U.S. Universities Came to a School in Chittagong
As a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Sunshine Grammar School & College, I’ve spent years helping students understand algorithms and data structures. But on November 28, 2025, my role shifted to something entirely different: supporting and facilitating EdTour, Bangladesh, Fall 2025, organized by EdPrograms.
What made this possible was the leadership of our Principal, Sameer Ghazi Rahman, who initiated and executed bringing the event to our campus in Chittagong removing the geographic and financial barriers that often prevent students outside Dhaka from accessing international admissions representatives.
The concept was simple but powerful: bring universities directly to students.
No expensive travel to Dhaka. No long waiting times just to get answers. Just students and delegates in the same room, having real conversations about real opportunities.
The visiting institutions weren’t small regional colleges. Iowa State University, The University of Texas at Arlington, McMaster University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Troy University, and others offering 120+ undergraduate and graduate programs across engineering, computer science, business, aviation, and more set up booths in our school hall.
What Happened When Geography Stopped Mattering
I’ve been involved with academic events before: guest lectures, coding competitions, research activities. But EdTour felt different because of what I watched happening at the booths.
A student interested in aeronautical engineering asked detailed questions about Embry-Riddle’s facilities. Another explored UT Arlington’s internship and industry connections. Someone else discovered McMaster University options and funding pathways relevant to international students.
These weren’t generic admissions pitches. They were personalized discussions about programs, research, scholarships, and career direction. For many of our students, it was their first direct conversation with international admissions representatives and you could see the shift from:
“This feels impossible” → “This is actually doable.”
One moment stood out: when a student asked about financial aid, an NJIT representative explained real numbers estimated costs, typical scholarship ranges, and practical budgeting. Studying abroad stopped being an abstract dream. It became a plan with details.
The Questions That Changed Everything
What made the day truly transformative wasn’t only the presence of prestigious institutions, it was the evolution of our students’ questions.
Early in the day: “Can international students apply?”
By midday: “What GPA do I need for your engineering program?”
By afternoon: “If I want to combine computer science and business, which pathway supports both?”
That progression from eligibility to strategy happened in a single day because the representatives treated our students like future classmates, not distant applicants.
I watched students who rarely speak up in class ask thoughtful questions about STEM, discuss financial aid, and describe their goals with clarity. They began imagining themselves on global campuses, contributing to research, and building international careers.
Why This Matters for Schools Like Ours
Sunshine Grammar School & College is an elite international school in Chattogram. We serve students from middle-class families in Bangladesh’s second-largest city. For many of our learners, access to international education events is limited by geography, cost, and lack of information.
When universities only visit Dhaka, talented students in Chittagong are often left out not due to ability, but due to access.
EdTour changed that equation. By bringing universities directly to our campus through the initiative and execution of our Principal Sameer Ghazi Rahman, and the coordination of EdPrograms students who might never attend a Dhaka-based fair got the same opportunity to ask, learn, and plan.
What This Event Delivered
Beyond inspiration, the event produced real outcomes:
Direct access to admissions representatives (instant answers instead of weeks of email)
Scholarship and funding guidance relevant to South Asian applicants
Clear application requirements (tests, GPA expectations, timelines)
Realistic planning around deadlines, visa processing, and intake schedules
Contact channels for follow-up and continued guidance
Several students left with personalized application roadmaps. Others discovered scholarship paths they hadn’t known existed. And at least one student who planned to study locally is now seriously considering applying to Iowa State’s computer science program.
These are measurable results from a single day.
A Simple Framework Other Schools Can Use
If you’re an educator or administrator thinking, “We should do something like this,” here’s what made it work:
Partner with a credible organizer
EdPrograms handled outreach, logistics, and coordination something most schools can’t do alone at this scale.Prepare students in advance
We held a pre-event session on what to expect and what questions to ask.Create a welcoming environment
Clear signage, structured booths, and a professional but friendly setting helped students engage confidently.Follow up afterward
We’re tracking student interests and feedback so we can support next steps.
The event was one day. The impact will last years.
What Happens Next
EdTour wasn’t just a university visit day. It represented our school’s commitment to bringing world-class opportunity to Chittagong.
Some students will apply. Some will get accepted. Some will choose other pathways. But every student who attended now understands that international education is not “for other people” it’s achievable with the right preparation and guidance.
To our students: keep asking better questions, thinking bigger, and working steadily toward your goals.
To EdPrograms and the visiting university delegates: thank you for investing your time and making geography irrelevant for one afternoon.
And to other schools in Bangladesh: events like this can happen at your campus too. Reach out, explore partnerships, and advocate for your students because the world is waiting for their contributions.