Studying abroad is a dream come true for many Bangladeshi students seeking to acquire world-class education, broaden their horizons, and enhance career prospects. However, the journey of going abroad for higher studies is not without its challenges. While problems such as language barriers and cultural adjustments might come to mind, managing one's finances in a new country and currency might also be an area that needs planning and forethought.

Tuition fees, cost of living, accommodation, leisure activities and other miscellaneous costs can be overwhelming for students and their families to plan for. Despite the availability of scholarships and financial aid, fierce competition and limited opportunities often make it challenging for all deserving students to secure adequate funding to cover multiple types of expenses. In this digital age, having a credit card that not only works abroad but can also be credited from Bangladesh is a major boon for any prospective students seeking higher education in foreign countries. 

Credit cards with strong benefits and propositions, such as the ones offered by Visa, provide a convenient and secure mode of payment for students living abroad. Since the card can be used for everything from accommodation expenses to everyday living costs and even tuition fees, carrying a card instead of dealing with large sums of cash eliminates cumbersome currency exchanges and the fear of theft. With a reliable card, a student doesn't need to rely on foreign exchange, which they need to arrange for beforehand so as to avoid rate fluctuations but often at a loss when converted to Bangladeshi Taka. 

Furthermore, countries like the US, the UK and Australia - popular destinations for Bangladeshi students - are developed nations that have become a cashless society in their own right. Any Bangladeshi who has lived there will know that cash is barely used in most shops and stores and often even discouraged. Instead, locals and expats alike depend on a debit or credit card issued by a local bank. However, if you are a Bangladeshi student arriving in a foreign country for the first time, it will take some time for you to open a bank account and obtain a locally issued debit card. So, what does one do?

This is where having a credit card issued by a bank in Bangladesh, like a Visa credit card, is highly beneficial. With most educational institutions and businesses accepting Visa cards globally, students can make transactions without worrying about the safety of their money. Considering that getting a brand new debit or credit card requires opening a new bank account in a completely new country, a lot of time and patience is required. Compared to opening a bank account after reaching one's destination, a Visa card is a valuable alternative to immediately make cashless payments.

A Visa card is also especially helpful for students who are worried about tuition fees and similar charges associated with their higher education. Even if you have approved documents and the visa for the destination country, there might be additional costs like application fees, course registration, and study materials to purchase. A Visa credit card can help students seamlessly go about their expenses without having to worry or wait for means of expenditure for such transactions.

Illustration: Fatima Jahan Ena

Visa cards provide invaluable monetary support even after a local card is obtained. For example, if the student needs to travel to other countries or needs to conduct transactions in transit, for instance, or a coffee at a stopover airport, a Visa card will provide more flexibility in spending, over a card strictly meant for use in one specific country. A Visa card is also a clutch tool in tackling unforeseen emergencies and can cover insurance fees, book hospital appointments, and even fund plane trips in case the student needs to travel from and back to their homeland. 

Traveling to a new country for education can be daunting - leaving family and friends to pursue a life of dreams and passions. When a student aspires to and fulfils their dream of education abroad, transactional concerns should be the least of their worries and having a Visa card serves not just convenience but can become a necessity. 

These credit cards offer ease of payment, security, and accessibility for various financial needs, whether it's tuition, travel expenses, or everyday spending. They also offer competitive foreign exchange rates and enhanced security features, further adding to any student's convenience. All these features make Visa cards an indispensable addition to any Bangladeshi student attempting to go abroad for higher education and aspiring for their many dreams.