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Every year Bangladeshi students, specially undergrad ones, consider the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK when planning for studying overseas. These countries are favoured for their well-regarded universities, established alumni, multicultural environments, and greater career prospects. However, globally an increasing number of students are expanding their horizons beyond these traditional options. European countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Finland provide abundant opportunities that are frequently overlooked by the top Bangladeshi students. There are quite a few reasons that these countries are not on the top of students' priorities such as higher taxes, need for learning another language other than English, less salary compared to other destinations and lack of cultural diversity.
The case for pursuing education in EU countries such as Ireland, Norway, Finland, Netherlands, Germany and Denmark aren't complicated. These revolve around strong fundamental requirements for any student. European countries have some of the world's best universities. These institutions offer a wide range of courses taught in English, making them accessible to international students. Universities such as the Technical University of Munich (Germany), the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands), and the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) are known for their strong academic programmes and research opportunities. One of the graduate students named Rehnuma Islam studying at University of Oslo, Norway stated that she chose this country mainly because it was very affordable and had a good ranking. Compared to the US, Canada, and Australia, education in many European countries is much more affordable. She stated the cost of education is one-fifth in Europe compared to the US and Australia. Even the cost of living, while varying by country and city, is mostly lower than in more popular destinations.
Countries like Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands offer clear pathways to permanent residency (PR). After graduating the students can look for jobs and upon securing one, they have a clear path to PR. In Germany, after completing their studies, students can apply for an 18-month job-seeking visa. They can apply for a Blue Card, which leads to PR. In Ireland, if a person is employed and stays in the country for two to four years, they become eligible for PR. Similarly, the Netherlands offers a one-year search visa after graduation, allowing students to find a job and settle in the country and if they manage to stay a total of five years, they are eligible for PR. People try for PR to get employment in Europe. However, in the US there is the lottery system of H1B if a company sponsors at all for the work permit and then there is a yearly cap on green cards.
In Canada, getting PR even after securing a job has become difficult due to high competition and growing number of applicants in recent years. In Australia, they offer a comparatively easy route to PR for specific categories of professionals in addition to people who are willing to stay in targeted and developing regions. Compared to these 'ifs and buts', European countries pose an easier scope to settle down.
Israt, another student, saw her ambitions crushed after being denied a US visa following two interviews. Even though she had secured a scholarship from a university in the US, the embassy still refused to grant her a student visa. The availability of visas remains a pressing issue for both the US and Canada due to intense competition. In comparison to that, European countries have less visa rejection rates.
Students studying in Europe get access to travel around EU nations and enrich their life experiences. Many European countries are known for their peaceful societies and low crime rates. Countries like Norway and Finland consistently rank high on global peace indices, making them safe destinations for international students. This is particularly appealing to students and parents concerned about safety and well-being. Nafisa, a student in Germany, stated these as her primary reason to move to Europe for studies. Student life is one of the unique times of any person with less responsibilities and challenges compared to later phases of life. Hence, this can be an interesting perspective to choose an EU nation that allows students to explore the culture, life, heritage and opportunities across Europe during their academic breaks.
The US, Canada, UK and Australia are indeed renowned choices for Bangladeshi students, but other European countries present a strong option. Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Finland provide top-notch education, affordable expenses, streamlined visa procedures, and straightforward pathways to permanent residency, making them appealing destinations for many. With an increasing number of international students choosing these countries from other parts of the world, it's a good idea to consider these opportunities now before they become more competitive.