Meet dynamic English graduate student Jahidul Alam

Written byQuinn Foster

小蝌蚪APP淎s an international student, attending the 小蝌蚪APP has been a transformative and enriching experience. From the beginning, I found a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive campus community.小蝌蚪APP

Jahidul Alam
Major
English
Hometown
Chittagong, Bangladesh

Where I'm From

I am from Chittagong, Bangladesh 

Where I Am

I am currently obtaining a Ph.D. in English, and I am a part-time lecturer at Southeastern Louisiana 小蝌蚪APP.

Where I'm Going

After earning my Ph.D. in English, my primary goal is to continue my scholarly and creative work by pursuing a career that integrates both teaching and writing.

Jahidul Alam小蝌蚪APP檚 love for literature and language shines through his education. He received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from the 小蝌蚪APP of Chittagong.  

He chose to attend the 小蝌蚪APP to pursue a Ph.D. in English, because of the 小蝌蚪APP小蝌蚪APP檚 emphasis on research.

小蝌蚪APP淢y decision to join UL Lafayette stemmed from its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and its vibrant academic environment, which aligned perfectly with my research interests in early modern English literature, colonialism, race, and ecocriticism. UL Lafayette小蝌蚪APP檚 diverse faculty expertise and resources provided the perfect setting for me to bridge the gaps between my academic focus and my creative pursuits,小蝌蚪APP Jahidul said.

With being an international student, Jahidul小蝌蚪APP檚 love for literature crosses cultural boundaries. 

小蝌蚪APP淎s an international student, attending the 小蝌蚪APP has been a transformative and enriching experience. From the beginning, I found welcoming, inclusive, and supportive campus community. As I said, the English Department provided a robust academic environment, allowing me to engage deeply with my research interests while offering the guidance necessary to navigate the nuances of American academia... The multicultural atmosphere at UL Lafayette encouraged me to share my own culture while learning about others.小蝌蚪APP 

Through his research and collaboration, Jahidul小蝌蚪APP檚 dissertation focuses on the intersections of race, colonialism, and environmental exploitation in Bacon小蝌蚪APP檚小蝌蚪APP疦ovum Organum,小蝌蚪APP疦ew Atlantis, and his小蝌蚪APP疎ssays.

小蝌蚪APP淭he faculty at UL Lafayette have been instrumental in guiding my research. My dissertation director, Dr. Clancy Ratliff, has provided invaluable mentorship, especially during the critical phases of my dissertation. Other faculty members including Dr. Jennifer Vaught and Dr. Elizabeth Bobo have also shaped my research, especially at my coursework stage, by offering guidance encouraging intellectual curiosity and rigorous scholarship,小蝌蚪APP Jahidul said. 

He shared that his time at UL Lafayette is deeply meaningful and prepares him for a career in bridging cultural gaps while highlighting the importance of diversity in education and research. 

小蝌蚪APP淭he department's support in preparing application materials, and providing practical advice has been instrumental in positioning me for career opportunities in academia and beyond. I have also gained substantial leadership experiences by directing in 2023.小蝌蚪APP

Jahidul shared that UL Lafayette小蝌蚪APP檚 English department is filled with supportive faculty mentorship, interconnected interdisciplinary approaches, hands-on experiences, competitive funding packages, and opportunities for conference presentations and publications.

When asked what advice he could share with incoming students, he said, 小蝌蚪APP淢y advice is to embrace the journey with an open mind and a proactive approach to learning and adaptation. I will encourage them to build strong relationships with faculty and peers, attend department events, workshops, and lectures to immerse themselves in the academic culture, and actively participate in class discussions to make the most of the learning experience.小蝌蚪APP

In addition, he strongly recommends students to use 小蝌蚪APP resources like the library, writing centers, and the Office of International Affairs, and to connect with locals and other international students.  

After graduation, Jahidul plans to continue his scholarly and creative work by pursuing a career that integrates both teaching and writing.

He leaves with this gem, 小蝌蚪APP淟iving far from my home country of Bangladesh, as an international student in a family of five with three children, while both my spouse and I pursue graduate studies, comes with its challenges. However, my strong motivation to succeed in my studies and my unwavering focus on my academic goals along with the much-needed support from my family members have been significantly helpful in overcoming these obstacles and successfully completing my Ph.D. journey.小蝌蚪APP 


Learn more about our Ph.D. in English.

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