SANJANA Interview

SANJANA CHOWDHURY

DHAKA, BANGLADESH

“I NEVER REGRET COMING TO AMERICA, I WILL DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN IF I HAVE A SECOND CHANCE.”

Sanjana has been in the United States since 2017. She came here to college. Before studying abroad, she chose between the United Kingdom and the United States. Finally, she chose the United States because she believes she can not only take professional courses but also other elective courses, which makes learning more interesting and enhancing other skills. However, the first year in college was not easy for her. This was the first time Sanjana has lived alone in a completely strange city far from home. She had a really hard time adapting to the new environment and making new friends. She felt so lonely and missed home a lot, especially her boyfriend and family. As she described, it was the darkest time of her life and she cried every day. When Sanjana’s friends and family members celebrated birthdays back home, she missed home even more and felt sad because she was always with them on their birthdays. So Sanjana's freshman year at LMU was not as good as she expected. The second-year got so much better, Sanjana stepped out of her comfort zone, trying to make new friends and explore the city with her friends. She mainly hangs out with international friends because she feels closer to them. During her second year, she went to study abroad in China and Italy with her international friends, “That was the best time I've ever had,” she told me with a big smile. 

Even though it was difficult for Sanjana at the beginning and she experienced a really bad time. However, she told me, “I never regret coming to America, I will do it all over again if I have a second chance.” Being in a completely new place really pushed her out of her comfort zone, taught her to be grateful for things she has, and helped her grow as a person and see the world differently. It is still helping her to know herself more and what she is capable of doing.