I have always been a dreamer. I like to dream and if possible, I try my best to make it come true. And in this work, my inner self always supports me, where I believe, interest + persistence = success. I am presenting this article of mine here in two parts. The first part contains my indomitable passion, and the second part is a travel story.
Indomitable Aspiration
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools and colleges shut down, my engagement in the virtual world significantly increased. While exploring this virtual space, I came across a link to the TEA (Teaching Excellence and Achievement) Program.The TEA Program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and is implemented by IREX (International Research & Exchanges Board), a Washington, D.C.-based organization. It is a six-week exchange program designed for secondary school teachers, offering participants an exceptional opportunity to enhance their subject expertise, improve teaching skills, and gain deeper knowledge about the United States.
As soon as I delved into the details, my curious soul began to sow the seeds of a dream. Encouraged by the then-principal, Colonel Moniruzzaman (currently Brigadier General), and supported by former vice-principal Reshmin Akhter Chowdhury, I uploaded my nomination details online. Following the advice of TEA-2020 district ambassador Mrs. Lutfunnesa Khanam, I sent my documents via courier to the American Embassy in Dhaka.
On June 15, 2020, I received an email from the U.S. Embassy informing me that my submitted documents had been reviewed and I was selected for the final interview stage. Subsequently, I was scheduled for an interview via Skype on June 21, 2020, at 11:05 AM.
On June 21, 2020, at 4:05 PM, a notification popped up on my phone. Overwhelmed with excitement, I opened the email. It read:
“Congratulations! You have been selected for the TEA 2021 program by IREX as a finalist.”
I read the email multiple times. Somehow, I couldn’t quite believe it. Thus began my journey of dreams. The embassy informed me that if I did not achieve the qualifying marks in the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam, I would not be eligible for the scholarship. Encouraged and guided by then-Principal Colonel Moniruzzaman Sir, I started my preparations.
On June 27, 2020, at 11:50 PM, my TOEFL test was scheduled to be conducted online via the ETS (Educational Testing Service) TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) platform. By then, IREX had already covered all the necessary fees for the TOEFL test. To ensure an uninterrupted experience, I arranged for a new UPS battery, a high-quality router for a stable internet connection, and sufficient mobile data as a backup.
From the evening of June 27, I completed all necessary preparations, including optimizing my internet speed, and eagerly waited to take the final TOEFL test.
At 11:45 PM, disaster struck—my internet connection suddenly disconnected. Frantically, I called my internet provider multiple times, only to learn that their optical fiber cable had been severed, and it would take time to fix.
I tried using data from three different mobile phones, but the bandwidth was insufficient to connect to the ETS TOEFL platform. Anxiously, I made several desperate attempts to log in using mobile data, but all efforts failed.
12:20 AM. My neighbor and colleague, Senior Teacher Aminul Haque, had a T&T (landline-based) internet connection at his house. I called him and explained my situation, and he generously allowed me to use his internet connection even at midnight.
However, misfortune struck again. Due to low internet bandwidth, I failed to connect to the ETS TOEFL platform.
Around 2 AM, my wife called to inform me that our home internet connection was back. Without hesitation, I rushed back home in the rain from Amin Sir’s house, only to find out that the allocated TOEFL test session for me had expired. I was devastated.
I immediately started sending frequent emails and messages via live chat to ETS, informing them about my situation.
Finally, at around 4 AM, ETS responded that they had arranged a special alternative test session for me. From 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM, I took the test under extreme stress but managed to complete it satisfactorily.
On July 28, 2020, I received an email confirming that IREX had accepted my TOEFL score, and I was officially selected for the program.
With a unique sense of accomplishment, I started preparing mentally for my journey to the United States in January 2021. However, due to the worsening COVID-19 situation, our program was postponed from January 2021 to September 2021. Later, to accommodate participants from the previous year, my program was further delayed to January 2022.
I was finally selected for the TEA (Teaching Excellence and Achievement) Program at University of Nevada, Reno, USA. Along with me, Tahiya Siddika, the Vice Principal of Khajanchibari International School, Sylhet, was also selected for the same university.
Finally, on December 28, 2021, we were called for an interview at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka. During the interview, our passports were collected, and we were informed that we would receive them back with our visas within two weeks.
However, later that afternoon, I received an email requesting some additional information. Interestingly, other participants were asked to collect their passports with visas on December 29.
A New Phase of Anxiety Begins
Every two days, I checked my visa status online, but each time, it showed “Administrative Processing”. Even after two weeks had passed, there was no change. Concerned, I emailed the U.S. Embassy, and their response stated that my visa application was under administrative review.
Meanwhile, IREX’s Washington office confirmed my Qatar Airways flight ticket and sent it to my email. My flight was scheduled for January 24, 2022, at 7:00 PM.
Since the Embassy had already collected my passport, I remained confident that I would receive the visa. However, as the departure date approached, anxiety crept in.
January 21, 2022—only three days before my flight. I hadn’t packed anything yet. My visa status remained unchanged.
With the mindset that “even if I don’t get the visa, I need to collect my passport,” I traveled from Chattogram to Dhaka on January 22.
Before my journey, another challenge arose. The newly appointed Principal, Colonel Mujibul Haque Sikder, hesitated to approve my foreign leave.
Without any valid reason, he delayed issuing my NOC (No Objection Certificate). At first, he outright refused to grant it, despite the fact that his predecessor, Colonel Moniruzzaman, had personally written my recommendation letter and encouraged me.
Since Colonel Moniruzzaman had been promoted and transferred to Dhaka, Colonel Mujibul Haque Sikder took over as the new Principal.
His refusal to approve my leave led me to consider resigning from my job altogether.
Finally, Vice Principal Reshmin Akhter Chowdhury intervened and convinced Colonel Mujibul Haque Sikder to approve my NOC, ensuring that I could proceed with my scholarship journey.
To be continued…………………
