I won a fully funded scholarship from Bangladesh to Hungary — with a B in A-Level Math. If you are reading this, you are probably right where I was: dreaming of studying abroad but wondering if your profile is "good enough." Here is my story, and how I built a profile that stood out.
More Than Just Grades
For a student in Bangladesh aiming for STEM, the pressure to have a flawless academic record is immense. I always loved learning and pushed myself hard—during my O Levels in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, I managed to secure A*s across the board in both science and business subjects, ultimately winning the Edexcel High Achievers Award. To sharpen my foundation, I also completed an intensive two-year mental mathematics course at Aloha.
By the end of my first year of A levels, I scored 300/300 in AS Physics. But when it came to A-Level Mathematics, which I entirely self-studied, I scored a 'B'. Many students think a single 'B' is a dealbreaker for highly competitive international scholarships. I am here to tell you it isn't. I knew I had to prove my worth beyond a single grade on a piece of paper.
The Hustle Outside the Classroom
Scholarship committees don't just want robots who study; they want leaders and well-rounded individuals. While juggling my academics, I made sure to stay active. I played for my school's cricket team and even won sports awards in local coaching center tournaments.
I also wanted to understand the value of hard work early on. During my IGCSEs, I took on a job as a junior admin at the coaching center where I studied. Later, during my A levels, I started tutoring other students. These experiences taught me communication, empathy, and leadership—skills that no exam can measure.
The Spark for Tech
My true passion ignited when I started looking at the real world. I wanted to learn things that had an immediate impact. Through sheer hard work over a few months, I taught myself HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP via courses on 10 Minute School, Udemy, and YouTube, eventually building my very first website.
While the world has digitized, much of Bangladesh still relies on analog documentation. My goal is to change that infrastructure.
I realized that while mobile banking and food delivery run smoothly in our country, major official work is still bogged down by a lack of digitization. My ultimate goal became clear: to acquire world-class skills in Computer Science and return to build the digital solutions my country needs.
Taking the Leap
To get that world-class education, I looked toward Europe. I prepared for the IELTS Academic exam as a private candidate and scored an overall band of 7.5 (C1 level). I didn't use expensive agencies or professional counselors. I handled the documentation, the university hunting, and the application process completely on my own.
My strategy worked. I was accepted into programs in Romania, Finland, and Hungary. Ultimately, I was awarded the prestigious Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship (2024) to study BSc Computer Science at the University of Debrecen, a top public university in Europe.
Why CatchThatScholarship Exists
I noticed a massive problem during my journey: countless students give up on their study-abroad dreams because they can't afford the $1,500+ fees that agencies charge just for basic advice. Education should be accessible to everyone.
That is why I built CatchThatScholarship from scratch. This platform provides verified scholarships, IELTS resources, an SOP Outliner, and a CV Builder—100% for free.
If you want to see exactly how I tied all of my academic, sports, and work experiences into a winning narrative, you can read the exact motivation letter I submitted to the scholarship committee below. I'm rooting for you!