đ§đ© Mimâs American Dream: From Rangunia to 25 U.S. Universities and a BDT 36 Crore Scholarship
Muntahina Karim Mim, a brilliant young woman from Rangunia, Chattogram, has achieved a truly rare and remarkable feat. Mim has received admission offers from 25 universities across the United States, including prestigious institutions offering full tuition coverage. Among them, she has been awarded the Hays Memorial Scholarship from Hendrix College, a full-ride scholarship valued at approximately BDT 36 crore, covering tuition, housing, meals, and additional fees for four years.
What makes this feat even more special is that the Hays Memorial Scholarship is awarded to only four students worldwide each year â and Mim is the only international recipient in this cycle, alongside three American students. She is also only the second Bangladeshi ever to receive this honor.
Muntahina Karim Mim and Family Background
Full Name: Muntahina Karim Mim
Fatherâs Name: Abdul Karim Chowdhury
Village/Address: Sorovbhata Boro Bari, Rangunia Upazila, Chattogram District, Bangladesh
Muntahina Karim Mim is a bright young woman from a modest family in Sorovbhata Boro Bari, located in Rangunia Upazila of Chattogram, Bangladesh. Her father, Abdul Karim Chowdhury, has always prioritized his childrenâs education despite limited resources. Mimâs mother, a homemaker, encouraged Mimâs curiosity and supported her passion for learning from a very young age.
Mim began her education at a local school and later attended Ankur Society Girlsâ High School for her SSC, followed by Kapasgola Womenâs College for her HSC. Even as a child, Mim was drawn to science and technology. Her interest in robotics and programming sparked early on, and during the COVID-19 lockdowns, she used her time to create a robot named âKiboâ that could deliver foodâdemonstrating her innovative mindset.
In a society where traditional academics are often prioritized over creativity or technology, Mim stood out. She got her first taste of coding when her mother asked her to design a website for her school. That project opened a door to the world of programming and web development.
Despite discouragement from people who believed her focus should remain on textbook studies, Mim followed her passion. Even within her own family, there were moments of doubt. Yet Mim remained committed and confident in her unconventional path. Her journey was not easy, but her strong will and dedication set her apart.
Her story is an inspiring reminder that success often comes to those who believe in their vision and are willing to work relentlessly for itâeven if society doesn’t fully understand it at first.
Dreaming of Studying Abroad and the Application Journey
Mimâs dream of studying abroad began after a visit to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. There, she saw some of the worldâs top universities, which ignited her desire to pursue higher education overseas. From that moment, she decided to work towards this goal.
During her college years, she discovered the Common App, a platform used to apply to universities in the U.S. She took the initiative to research the process on her ownâhow to apply, write a strong Statement of Purpose, and craft personal essays. She worked on building her academic and extracurricular profile, knowing that U.S. universities value leadership, creativity, and holistic achievements.
Mim eventually applied to 25 universities in the United States through the Common App. Like any student, she faced rejections and was waitlisted by some institutions. But her hard work paid offâshe received acceptance letters from multiple universities, which was a moment of great pride and validation.
Whatâs impressive is that Mim did all this without coaching centers or consultants. She relied entirely on her own efforts, online resources, and sheer determination. From gathering transcripts to preparing for interviews, she managed every step on her own.
When asked how she managed it all, Mim said:
âI always believed that if I truly gave my best, I could achieve what I dreamt of. No one should wait for someone else to guide themâyou have to guide yourself.â
Her message to young people in Bangladesh is clear: dream big, start preparing early, participate in extracurricular activities, improve your English, and work on your application essays with sincerity.
Muntahina Karim Mim The Prestigious Hays Memorial Scholarship
Mim received the prestigious Hays Memorial Scholarship from Hendrix College, one of the most selective scholarships in the United States. This scholarship is awarded annually to only four studentsâthree Americans and one international student. In 2025, Mim became the only international recipient.
The Hays Scholarship is highly competitive and prestigious. It covers full tuition, housing, meals, and mandatory fees for four yearsâmaking education in the U.S. financially feasible for Mim and her family.
She explains:
âStudying in the U.S. is very expensive. Without this scholarship, it would have been impossible for me to afford it. But beyond the money, itâs an honor. Only four students get selected every year. I am the second Bangladeshi ever to receive this scholarship. Itâs rare and valuable.â
The selection process for Hays is rigorous. It includes multiple interviews, presentations, and evaluations of academic records, essays, and personal achievements. Mim stood out because of her innovation in robotics, academic excellence, and commitment to using technology for social good.
This scholarship is not just a financial benefitâitâs a symbol of international recognition. It affirms that Mimâs ideas and talent have global value.
She hopes her story inspires other Bangladeshi students, especially girls, to pursue their passions fearlessly and apply for international scholarships with confidence.
Muntahina Karim Mim Family Support and Social Reaction
Mimâs achievement is a matter of great pride for her family. Her father recalled how she used to spend hours in front of the laptop, working on robotics projects, especially during the pandemic. Initially, he was skeptical, like many Bangladeshi parents.
âI used to wonder what she was doing, wasting time with robots instead of studying. But she kept saying, âOne day, I will prove myself,â and she really did,â he shared emotionally.
Her mother was more supportive from the start. She not only encouraged Mim to build her schoolâs website but also stood by her when society criticized her for focusing too much on technology.
In Bangladesh, extracurricular activities are often not taken seriously. Mim had to deal with criticism and discouragement from relatives and even neighbors. Some told her to focus on traditional academics, warning her that her passion for robotics wouldnât take her anywhere.
But Mim didnât give up. She believed in her dreams and knew that she had to walk a different path. Her consistency paid off.
Now, the same people who doubted her are celebrating her achievements. Her story has become an inspiration for families who are hesitant to support their childrenâs creative interests.
âI want parents to know that if your child is passionate about something, let them explore it. That support can change their life,â Mim said.
Now a proud student of Hendrix College, Mim is majoring in Computer Science with a focus on artificial intelligence and robotics. But her ambitions donât stop thereâshe wants to return to Bangladesh and make a difference.
Her dream is to establish a Tech Research Center in Bangladesh where young studentsâespecially girlsâcan learn about robotics, AI, and coding. She wants to bridge the gap between education and technology in her home country.
âMy goal is not just personal success. I want to help others grow too. I want to make Bangladesh proud,â she said with passion.
She understands that living in the U.S. will come with its own challengesâcooking, managing chores, studying, and adapting to a new culture. But she feels prepared. She enjoys cooking, does her own work, and loves experimenting with new recipes.
Mimâs journey is a powerful story of determination, resilience, and inspiration. From a rural home in Bangladesh to earning a spot among the top global scholarship recipients, she has proven that dreams know no boundaries.
Her success is not just hersâit is a beacon of hope for millions of young girls in Bangladesh who dare to dream differently.
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Resource Summary for Muntahina Karim Mim Official Social Media Handles & Resources:
| Title | Platform | Link / Handle | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook Profile | facebook.com/Iammomtahina | Official page, photos & posts | |
| @itsmomtahina | 2K+ followers, DMs off | ||
| Twitter (X) | Twitter (X) | @itsmomtahina | Official Twitter handle |
| Facebook Photos | Facebook Photos | facebook.com/ItsMomtahina/photos | Photo gallery on Facebook |
| YouTube Video | YouTube | Inspiring Journey of Muntahina Karim Mim | Scholarship story video |