Bolivia: an ideal place for higher education for Indian and Bangladeshi students

Dreaming to study overseas? Are you looking for a suitable country to pursue higher education with a flexible cost? If you are someone so crazy or semi-crazy like me desperately trying to move to a Spanish spoken far-off country, then Bolivia may be your chosen destination. Of course, I was not someone so enthusiastic for higher education like you, but I flew to Bolivia on 3rd of April, 2003 for a ´nonsense´ reason simply to roam around like a real vagabond.

But when I landed in LA Paz, the capital of Bolivia, the highest capital city on earth from Brazilian airline,  I was so surprised for not finding any 'bathroom' in the airport. Believe me, I really needed a bathroom. I had to go back to immigration desk to ask if they had any room like bathroom.  The officer took me to a room marked ‘baño’. I understood my foolishness. I laughed a hearty laugh but silently lest they should identify my stupidity. I came to realize that I was in a Spanish spoken country where bathroom is called ‘baño’.

Well, I am an Indian guy with a bad habit of gossiping with new people about my strange experiences. Would you mind to pay me minimum attention to listen to why Bolivia may be the best Latin American country for Bangladeshi as well as Indian students.  

1) Bolivian entry visa is easier than any other Latin American countries. You do not need to produce a 20,000 USD bank statement or a big company profile with big tax papers. Simple documents are required to apply for a Bolivian visa.

2) Whatever Bolivian visa you have in your passport, you are entitled to convert it into residence visa. At first you will get one year residence visa. In the second step you will get two year residence visa and in the third step you can apply for permanent Bolivian residence visa. Every time you will get a Bolivian National ID card. Once you have a residence permit with ID card, you can study, open business, buy property and you can engage at any lawful and lucrative activity. You can also apply for visa for any country very easily.

3)  The climate of Bolivia is wonderful. La Paz is somewhat different. It is too hot or too cold in La Paz. It rains awfully in Bolivia. There is seldom any earthquake. There are big fields covered with green grass. There is huge vegetation. Mango grows all the year round. Lot of parks are there in Bolivia. During mango season you can eat sweet mangoes free of cost. Simply wait for wind in a park and you will have plenty ripe mangoes falling from trees. Take care of your head because mangoes are huge in size.

4) Crime rate is very low in Bolivia. There is no hartal, no strike, no picketing, no kidnapping, no terrorism and no root level village politics. Interpol police is very active in Bolivia.

5) Bolivian people are very helpful. They always bear a smile on their face for all. They walk slowly. They know how to greet others warmly. People are religious and offer help to babies and old people.

6) Bolivian cities are well connected with luxurious buses. Modern bus companies operate their services among

 neighboring countries. Air journey is also very cheap. You can find ticket counters every where around the cities.

7) Rules and regulations of all departments are flexible. For example, for opening business, you will go to NIT office. The officer in the counter will cordially assist you to open your business. You will never be frustrated at any office. There is low bribe in Bolivia.

8) Education is of very high grade in Bolivia. Thousands of overseas students study at Bolivian institutions. The

reason is that the cost of education is very low but the standard is very high. Almost all careers are available in universities. There are public and private universities. The universities have state-of-the-art infrastructure. You may choose your timing for attending classes as there are three sessions: morning, afternoon and evening. Many students work in day and study at evening session. There is no discrimination between age, sex, race, religion and nationality.

9)  Spanish language is very easy to learn. I could speak with local people imperfectly after fifteen days of arrival. Visit www.doingtheeasyway.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-learn-foreign-language.html

Above all, your Bolivian life may be wonderful if you manage to adapt yourself with local culture. Look before you leap, collect more information, do research. www.doingtheeasyway.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-learn-foreign-language.html

 If you are cent percent intended to jump to Bolivia, then this beautiful Latin American country is ready to receive you with a signboard that reads "BIENVENIDOS".

Amar Chand Nath
Iquique, Chile.
E-mail:  lamithila@gmail.com

(For any information on Bolivia, please feel free to write to me. I will respond as soon as posible.)