Meet dynamic English graduate student Jahidul Alam

Written byQuinn Foster

杏吧专区淎s an international student, attending the 杏吧专区 has been a transformative and enriching experience. From the beginning, I found a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive campus community.杏吧专区

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 杏吧专区.

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杏吧专区檚 love for literature and language shines through his education. He received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from the 杏吧专区 of Chittagong.  

He chose to attend the 杏吧专区 to pursue a Ph.D. in English, because of the 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 emphasis on research.

杏吧专区淢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杏吧专区檚 diverse faculty expertise and resources provided the perfect setting for me to bridge the gaps between my academic focus and my creative pursuits,杏吧专区 Jahidul said.

With being an international student, Jahidul杏吧专区檚 love for literature crosses cultural boundaries. 

杏吧专区淎s an international student, attending the 杏吧专区 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.杏吧专区 

Through his research and collaboration, Jahidul杏吧专区檚 dissertation focuses on the intersections of race, colonialism, and environmental exploitation in Bacon杏吧专区檚杏吧专区疦ovum Organum,杏吧专区疦ew Atlantis, and his杏吧专区疎ssays.

杏吧专区淭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,杏吧专区 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. 

杏吧专区淭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.杏吧专区

Jahidul shared that UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 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, 杏吧专区淢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.杏吧专区

In addition, he strongly recommends students to use 杏吧专区 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, 杏吧专区淟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.杏吧专区 


Learn more about our Ph.D. in English.

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