Simki Islam, a third-year student in Global Media and Communications Arts at Woosong, shares her experience at our recent ChangeMaker Connect event, where we welcomed Dr. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice Chancellor of North South University and Chairman of Grameen Bank, the Nobel Peace Prize–winning microfinance institution in Bangladesh, as our first guest. The event was held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

I still remember walking into the room that afternoon, not really knowing what to expect, but curious. Changemaker Connect sounded inspiring, but I didn’t realize how personal the experience would feel until it began.

The session featured Dr. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of North South University and Chairman & Director of Grameen Bank, Bangladesh. But from the moment he started speaking, he didn’t feel distant or overly formal. Instead, he felt human. Someone who had lived through struggles, made choices, and learned from them.

What made the event special for me was how it started. Before any formal discussion, he took the time to ask each of us about our names, our departments, and how long we had been in Korea. It was such a small gesture, but it instantly made the room feel warm and connected. As international students, that moment felt like being seen.

As the conversation began, guided by anchor Rezia Usman(Regional Director of South East & South West Asia), it didn’t feel like a lecture. It felt like listening to someone share pieces of his life, honestly and openly. One story that stayed with me was about his childhood. After losing his father at a young age, his mother raised seven children and still ensured that all of them received proper education. Hearing that made me pause. It reminded me how much strength and sacrifice can shape a person’s journey.

Throughout the session, he kept coming back to one idea: we need to open ourselves to the world. He talked about traveling, meeting people from different cultures, and stepping outside our comfort zones. According to him, that’s how we truly begin to understand the world, not just from books, but from real experiences. And honestly, as someone studying abroad, that message felt very real to me.

The Q&A session was where things became even more relatable. One student asked a question that I think many of us quietly think about: Should we stay abroad and build our careers, or go back home and contribute to our country?

His answer wasn’t direct, but it was powerful. He said the answer is already inside us. It depends on whether we choose to live only for ourselves or think beyond, about our family, our society, and the place we come from. That idea stayed with me. It made me reflect on my own goals in a deeper way.

Another question touched on something even more real, balancing part-time work with studies while living alone in a foreign country. His response was simple but honest: it’s not easy, but it’s possible. It depends on our mental strength, discipline, and how clearly, we see our purpose. That felt reassuring, because it acknowledged the struggle without dismissing it.

One of the most inspiring parts was when he spoke about Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Hearing about someone who dedicated his life to making a difference, and knowing Dr. Chowdhury had witnessed that journey closely made everything feel more real and achievable.

If I had to describe what I personally took from this event, it would be this: hope.

He said something that stayed with me, if we stay persistent and keep searching for opportunities, something will eventually come our way. That idea felt simple, but powerful. Sometimes, that’s exactly what we need to hear.

By the end of the session, it didn’t feel like just another university event. It felt like a conversation that stayed with me. We took photos together, and he left with a smile, but what remained was more than just pictures. It was a shift in perspective.

Changemaker Connect wasn’t just about becoming a “changemaker” in society. For me, it was about starting small changing how I think, how I see my future, and how I define success.