All my life, whenever someone told me something was difficult or impossible, it only made me more determined to pursue it. That mindset led me to a bachelor’s degree in architecture.
Soon after graduating, however, I realised that I did not want to spend the rest of my life sitting in front of a computer. Instead, I decided to chase a lifelong dream: working behind the camera.
With no clear roadmap, I began building a career in photography and videography.
Making an impact through communication
A few years later, I got my first major opportunity as a freelance videographer and photographer for non-governmental organisations in Bangladesh. That experience made me realise that I wanted to create a broader impact through communication, which eventually led me to pursue a master’s degree in Media and Communication.
After completing my master’s, I was still looking for ways to explore communication from a different perspective. That was when I discovered the Master’s Degree Programme in Language, Globalization and Intercultural Communication at the University of Jyväskylä.
As both a communication professional and an enthusiastic traveller, the programme immediately felt connected to my interests and experiences.
The application process was straightforward, and my interview with the selection panel felt welcoming rather than intimidating. Receiving my acceptance letter was one of the happiest and most memorable moments of my life.
Finland’s nature won me over
Then came the panic. I had travelled extensively across Asia and the Middle East for both work and adventure, but those trips had always ended with me returning home. Moving to Finland meant something completely different.
I was heading to a country where I knew no one, and suddenly I began finding reasons to reconsider. Finland had no mountains, which felt almost tragic for someone obsessed with hiking and mountaineering. And although I had experienced harsh conditions during expeditions in the Himalayas, the thought of a Finnish winter still gave me chills while sitting in 32-degree heat in Bangladesh.
Then I searched for Jyväskylä online.
The green forests, clear lakes and quiet city looked almost unreal. As I learned more about Finland’s relationship with nature and outdoor life, my hesitation slowly turned into excitement.
For someone who loves hiking, camping and being outdoors, the possibilities felt endless. The winter photographs occasionally terrified me, but the summer and autumn ones quickly restored my confidence.
JYU’s sports culture helped seal the decision. I love staying active, and the university and the city offer an incredible range of opportunities. Through uMove, students can access activities such as badminton, gym training and group sports throughout the year.
Seeing the campus, sports facilities and surrounding nature made me genuinely excited about becoming a student again.
How an international environment has shaped me
A year later, I now have friends from around the world, and the opportunity to learn alongside people whom I am proud to call my professors, classmates, colleagues and friends.
The programme has also changed how I see myself and others. What initially seemed familiar gradually began challenging my assumptions and making me more aware of my own limitations.
Studying intercultural communication has taught me to listen more carefully, consider perspectives different from my own and become more comfortable with uncertainty.
Living in such an international environment has pushed me beyond my comfort zone and made me more adaptable and confident. Perhaps the biggest change is simple: I now approach differences with curiosity rather than judgement.
Looking back, my decision to face my fears of uncertainty and the unknown was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has made me more confident and resilient for the days to come.
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