October 26, 2009

I called Rakib on Monday night, Tuesday morning in Bangladesh. Rakib asked why I did not respond to his call on Sunday morning. I told him I was on the Appalachian Trail backpacking with a patrol of first year boy scouts. He said he understood and remembered that I earlier told him I was helping to prepare them for their first backpacking trip.
I asked Rakib if he the results for the admission test he took in Khulna were published yet. He said no and he was told that they may not be published. He informed me that the date for the government
administered medical college admission test has been set for 20 November. It will be administered on the campus of the Bangladesh medical College. He has collected and filed the test application form. He was told that the results for that test should be published 3 – 4 days after the test.
Rakib told me that he bought a new shirt and pants with the $20 I sent him as a festival present. He seemed very pleased with his new cloths. He also said he joined a student organization that offers information on applying for colleges both in Bangladesh and foreign. It cost 10 taka (.67 cents US) to join. He attended a seminar at a local hotel. He learned that the University of Arkansas has a medical program for students from developing nations. He will try to get more information. He asked if any of the scout families knew anything about the program.
We ended the call with good wishes for our mutual friends and families.