Living by the Currency

Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, Nadia Chowdhury and Amiya Atahar
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The globalised world demands many things -- fuel efficient cars, tech-savvy work force, vision for multiculturalism and a knack for innovation. For less economically developed countries, the student population yearns for an exposure abroad, while those from the developed world tend to seek internships in regions of crisis. This exchange of lives is a global phenomenon and at an age and time where social development is a hot iron, the need for global conversations is more intense than ever.

Education abroad provides a whole array of new experiences that build international students. One of them is working to pay their fees or even for one's pocket money, something most international students encounter. Bangladeshi students, like many other international students are willing to do low-end or blue-collar jobs in order to get by and pay their fees. They work in fast food joints, departmental stores, grocery stores and various other sectors of the skilled trade economy in return for a minimum wage. The question that arises here is, why are students, who in Bangladesh are unwilling to work unless it is a well-paying job at a fairly respectable company, willing to adapt to working low-end jobs for minimum pay abroad?

In order to understand this trend, we have to consider the status of education abroad and international students, in particular. One thing that is becoming increasingly apparent in today's globalising world is that one cannot always rely on one's family to pay the exorbitant tuition fees at an international university, and for accommodation, insurance and living expenses too. Unless one's parents are incredibly wealthy or the student is able to acquire some form of government assistance, most international students face a hefty tuition fee every year to pay, as well as the extra cost that scholarships and bursaries do not cover.

The global currency market is not in a Bangladeshi student's favour, either. Students who may be doing very well in Bangladesh may not do so well in Canada, for example as a significant amount of taka may convert to very little in dollars. After having paid in tuition, there may be very little left for the student to spend on him or herself. It no longer remains an option then to work or not to work; one is forced to go to work if they are to have any money or resources at hand.

However, the majority of jobs which are present for students are primarily jobs in the skilled sector with little access to higher level ones. While it may be demeaning to do them, one must realise that it is also a system of privilege where students get lower-end jobs because they are perceived to have little or no experience of professional settings. Added to the fact that most people, anywhere in the world, get jobs through mutual connections and networking, international students come into a country with very few to virtually none for themselves. Therefore, they have to concede in terms of what kind of work they end up with.

While this explains why students are willing to work in certain sectors abroad, it still does not answer the question of why students refuse to consider doing similar work in Bangladesh. Students who stay back are tend to work at a school, multinational company or a non-developmental organisation or institution, or do not work at all.

According to a Bangladeshi student who recently graduated from Australian National University, it is because of the social and cultural infrastructure. A job that may seem demeaning in Bangladesh is simply a means to meet ends abroad, especially in countries where a large number of international students flock every year. Between paying the tuition fees and the living expenses, it is a common scene for a student to work at KFC or McDonalds, if not at a lower-paying local company in order to get by.

“I worked at Burger King for several months, and in a place where everybody is hunting for jobs to make ends meet, it's actually good fortune to get that extra cash,” he elaborated. “I wouldn't have imagined myself working for KFC in Dhaka earlier, but the life in Australia toughened me and I think I might be willing to take up the same job here if it helps me to get by.”

“We are brought up in a way where status quo is an integral part of our identity. I'm not saying it isn't as important in the West or foreign countries. However, for students, it is a different scenario. We're used to riding cars to school or living in air-conditioned apartments in Dhaka. Honestly, most people who end up going abroad are those who can afford a foreign education. The cultural shock is intense many survive, many don't. It's the former group that really ends up taking most from the experience.”

In countries like Bangladesh, where international students are minimal when compared to the number of local students, there is a less urgent need for a source of income. And with the value of the taka being low, international students are actually at an advantage. Hence a student working at a lower-paying job is not as common a scene as it may be elsewhere. This leads to cultural reservations against working unless it is at a respectable, white-collar job.

That doesn't mean earning money as students is not common at all. For Bangladeshis, private tuitions and technical training workshops become key sources of income. Over recent years, the focus has been shifted to working for non-governmental organisations, call centres and customer care services at telecommunication companies however, the necessity to maintain a certain level of status quo is still prominent.

“During my first year at university, I taught Mathematics and Science to several school students. By the time I was in my third year, I felt the job could no longer satisfy my needs financially or socially. Between friends, private tuition is seen as an amateur job something you start with, but not really continue. I shifted to working late hours at a call centre and although the pay isn't great, it's something I can tell my friends about,” admitted Sarfaraz, a final year student from Jahangirnagar University.

More recently, as a result of globalisation, more young people are willingly entering the job market from an early age. Ad firms, media houses and stock broker companies amongst others are places that are now more welcoming to students and offer basic salary for part-time positions. In addition, the trend for freelancing has boomed more 'right brained workers' are being hired on contracts to work on a specific component in a big project.

As the trend shifts, question remains whether supermarkets and food joints are the next target for the young labour force. “I don't think so,” replied Anushah, a third year student from University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, “simply because we have a large population that is divided into several social hierarchies and enough people needing jobs at each level. Furthermore, our lives aren't limited to making ends meet, we have to worry about our parents, their images, security, late hours and many little things that become less relevant in a country that encourages such practices.”

In spite of the odds, the notion of gathering experiences and earning one's own pocket money from university years is becoming increasingly popular. Many are opening small businesses where they work in their own stores or help a family member and windows are being explored each day. As labour becomes more localised, one can expect more development within the country and gradual change in attitude that convinces society to accept students are an integral and dynamic part of a growing workforce.

(Diya is a major in Media and Communication at Independent University Bangladesh, and founder of the nonprofit youth organisation, One Degree Initiative Foundation. She is a 2011 YouthActionNet Global Fellow and One Young World Ambassador to Bangladesh. Nadia Chowdhury is studying for a Concurrent Certificate in Migration and Refugee Studies at York University, Canada. Amiya Atahar is a student at University of Dhaka and the current Executive Head at One Degree Initiative Foundation.)