America represents the crossroads where people of nearly every culture and faith meet. Bangladeshis make up an important part of this grand meeting place. Much of the young generation of Bangladeshi Americans were either born in this country or came here as infants. Now, they study in schools and college or universities, or, after completing their education, enter into the professional field. Almost all of them have visited their motherland. We prepared this report on what Bangladesh symbolizes to some of them and what ideas they have of helping the country.

American-born Kazi Taskin Nur is a 9th grader at Washington Irving High School in Manhattan. She told Bangla Patrika that she last visited Bangladesh three or four years ago. Recalling her visit, she mentioned that all members of the family live together and eat together. "They care about their friends and family, and come forward to help others in distress. Such cordiality and hospitality do not exist here. My maternal and paternal uncles, aunts, cousins and other relatives live in Bangladesh so, naturally, between the two countries Bangladesh is my favorite."

When asked whether she has any plans to go back to Bangladesh, Kazi said, "After finishing high school in America, I will study medicine in Bangladesh. I will stay in Bangladesh permanently if I like it better there. However, I will still occasionally visit America."

In terms of whether she has any plans to help improve the country, she said that home and medical facilities should be provided to poor children. "I will feel very good if I am able to stand up for the poor."

As an 11th grader at the Beacon School in Manhattan, Lulun Nahar Nila came to America when she was nine months old. She visited Bangladesh when she was 14 and again when she was 16. The rivers, fields, rural roads, birds and animals there fascinated her. However, she feels she would enjoy the country more if she could stay there for a longer period of time.

When asked what aspects of Bangladesh disillusioned her, Lulun said that she feels uneasy thinking about the miserable position of the poor and feels especially sorry for them. Many things need to be done for them. "People in our country are deprived of many facilities."

As for whether she has would like to help Bangladesh, Lulun said, "I plan to study medicine. I will set up a non-profit hospital in Bangladesh where the poor can get free treatment."

Lulun said she will reside permanently in Bangladesh if a good possibility arises there in which she can do something better for the country.

Shah Mohammad Ashfaque, a medical student at the University of Connecticut, came to America when he was four years old. Now 23, he has been back to Bangladesh three or four times but says he has no intentions of living there permanently.

He said, "Whenever I went to Bangladesh, I experienced positive things." However, political unrest troubled him. Shah wants to provide free treatment facilities for the poor, especially the orphans. As the world becomes closer and closer thanks to advancements in science and technology, it would be possible to help the country while still residing in America. "Those associated with Doctors Without Borders provide services throughout the world," he said, "so it would not be difficult to help Bangladesh while still staying in America."

Tanzir Alam came to America when he was three years old. He acquired an MBA this year from the University of California at Irvine. He said that though he grew up in America, Bangladesh remains close to his heart. It is his first and real home. "Everyone should have his or her own roots and identity. That is the home of my mother, the land of my forefathers. I have to feel something for Bangladesh."

When asked whether he has any plans to lend a hand to Bangladesh, Tanzir said that he would like to set up some mills and factories in the country to provide jobs for the unemployed.

In response to the question of whether he intends to live indefinitely in Bangladesh, he said, "I want to return to Bangladesh as soon as possible. I am thinking of going back within 10 years."

Elma Nargis Khan, a 9th grader at Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn, was born in America and has so far visited Bangladesh five times, the most recent trip being two years ago.

Asked how often she thinks about Bangladesh, she replied, "frequently. I like it more than America. I don't feel any mental anxiety there." However, "Bangladesh doesn't seem like the best place to live permanently, but problems could be fixed if sincere efforts were made to address them. According to Elma, the government should provide food to the poor through financial assistance so that the poor should not have to beg in the streets.

In terms of whether she would personally help Bangladesh, Elma said, "I would definitely help those suffering if I became rich. They need safe homes. Even if it's not possible for one person to solve such a huge problem, I will try to do as much as possible."

Rushdan Majumdar, an American-born undergraduate student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute near Albany, NY, is studying psychology and plans to further his studies in medicine.

He said that he has visited Bangladesh four times, the last time in 2006.

Revealing perhaps a sense of responsibility for Bangladesh, Rushdan said he feels very much for the homeless there, thinking about them often. After completing his degree in medicine, he intends to serve the impoverished people of Bangladesh at some point in his life by providing medical services for them free of cost. He is contemplating setting up a medical school in Bangladesh that follows American standards, where the students will follow an American syllabus and get a degree at a lower cost.

Nadia Afrin Chowdhury studies finance at Queens College. She last visited Bangladesh in 2008. In her memory, the country represents an ever-shining place. According to Nadia, one can help Bangladesh without actually being there. "I don't feel that I am living abroad. I frequently talk to all my relatives and friends there. The whole world has basically turned into one country and America is a city of that world. I live in the city of America, which is in the country of the World. While I may politically live in a foreign country, mentally I am in my own country [Bangladesh]."

When asked whether she has any intentions to assist the country, Nadia said, "I want to work on a long-term program. I wish to set up a home for the elderly as well as an orphanage center. There are so many older men and women in Bangladesh who have no one to look after them. They are the victims of indifference. They do not even have anyone to talk to. In many cases, they are left neglected in a small room by themselves. In some cases, they do not even get food or medicine when they need them badly. I want to help them. It will require a large amount of money but I will go back to Bangladesh if I ever reach that level."

Anik Akhan, a 12th grade student at The Browning School in Manhattan, came to America at the age of six. With dreams of pursuing an MBA, he possesses a deep love for Bangladesh. It hurts him knowing that the country lags behind many others in numerous areas. He said that the poverty in Bangladesh could be eradicated if concerted efforts were made to properly utilize its natural resources.

Anik said that he has no plans to permanently live in Bangladesh; however, he would like to invest in various sectors there, especially to provide job opportunities for the unemployed.