Md. Rahman (pseudonym), aged 48, is a resident of Sreemangal in the Moulvibazar district and currently resides in Moulvibazar town with his family. As a small business owner and the primary income earner of his household, he plays a central role in family decision-making. His son has recently completed higher secondary education and aspires to pursue higher studies abroad. In this context, Md. Rahman has taken an active role in deciding to send his son to the United Kingdom.

From his perspective, the employment landscape in Bangladesh is highly competitive, uncertain, and often time-intensive. In contrast, he perceives overseas education as a pathway to improved career prospects, global exposure, and long-term financial stability. This perception is strongly shaped by the socio-cultural context of the Sylhet region, where migration is widely associated with success and upward mobility. The visible achievements of relatives living abroad further reinforce his confidence in this pathway. He also observes that families with members abroad tend to receive greater social recognition, which motivates him to pursue similar opportunities for his son. Moreover, with many of his son’s peers planning to study in the UK, he believes that the presence of a well-established Sylheti community will facilitate easier adaptation and access to part-time employment through social networks.

Despite this optimism, Md. Rahman is acutely aware of the challenges involved. His son has never lived independently, and adjusting to a new environment while managing academic responsibilities, part-time work, and daily life may prove demanding. Financially, the decision has placed considerable pressure on him. In order to cover the first year’s tuition fees, he has decided to liquidate some of his assets. Additionally, he perceives that visa procedures have become increasingly stringent, adding another layer of uncertainty.

His concerns are further amplified by reports of fraudulent agencies and consultancies, which he has encountered through newspapers and social media platforms such as Facebook. The prevalence of misleading advertisements offering low-cost migration opportunities has made it difficult for him to distinguish between legitimate and unreliable service providers. Prior to intervention, both he and his son faced confusion when comparing different agencies and associated costs.

A significant shift in his understanding occurred after participating in a consultation workshop and a Safe Education Migration Fair organized under the project “Community-Based Awareness and Engagement for Safe, Legal and Informed Youth Migration.” Through this engagement, he gained access to accurate, verified, and practical information. Notably, learning about agency verification processes was a new and transformative experience, enabling him to approach decision-making with greater confidence and caution.

He also came to realize that relying solely on part-time employment to finance tuition and living expenses abroad is not feasible—an assumption he previously held. Awareness of work-hour limitations and income constraints for international students led him to reassess his financial strategy. Consequently, while he remains committed to sending his son to the UK, he now prioritizes comprehensive financial planning, realistic cost assessment, and exploration of alternative support mechanisms such as scholarships and family assistance. About this context he said, “As a parent, I once believed that sending my son abroad would automatically secure his future. But now I realize that without proper information, financial planning, and verified guidance, this journey can be as risky as it is promising.”

Overall, Md. Rahman’s case illustrates the complex interplay of social influence, economic aspirations, and perceived risks in shaping parental decisions regarding student migration in the Sylhet region. It also highlights the critical role of awareness-based interventions in transforming perceptions and enabling safer, more informed, and legally compliant migration pathways.