The Comfort of “Someday”
For a long time, I believed that one day I’d magically find myself studying in a great university abroad. I would imagine it so vividly that it almost felt real, except it wasn’t.
I said, “I’ll start tomorrow.” Then tomorrow became next week, next month, and eventually next year. And that day never came.
After college, I thought I’d apply to a top-ranked university overseas, but I never took concrete steps toward it. I enrolled in a local university instead, completed my bachelor’s degree in computer science, and quietly buried that dream under “practical” life choices.
I followed the expected path – find a job, start a career, be responsible. And I did. I became a software engineer and got busy chasing deadlines, fixing bugs, and meeting targets. My dream of studying abroad faded into the background until life found a subtle way to remind me.
The Spark That Changed Everything
In my first development job, I worked on a project with a Finnish development team. It was my first real connection to Finland, and it left a profound impression on me.
My Finnish colleagues were different in the best possible way. They valued quality over speed, honesty over hierarchy, and balance over burnout. They were calm, transparent, and respectful. Work never seemed to swallow their lives; instead, it complemented them.
I started to notice something deeper: this is the kind of life I want to live. A culture that prioritizes integrity, well-being, and self-accountability resonated deeply with me. And that’s when Finland stopped being just a country on the map; it became a vision.
The Moment I Decided to Act
One evening, while returning home from work, I asked myself:
If not now, when?
That was the moment. The turning point. I decided that I would no longer postpone my dream, not for comfort, not for fear, and definitely not for excuses.
I knew by then that dreams don’t come true through hope alone. They come true through action, courage, and consistency. So, I started taking the small steps, researching programs, preparing for applications, and learning everything I could about Finland and its education system. This time, I didn’t stop halfway.
Why Finland? Why Tampere?
By then, I had already fallen in love with the Finnish way of thinking, the honesty, the independence, and the emphasis on lifelong learning. When I discovered Tampere University and its Master’s Programme in Data Science, something just clicked.
It combined everything I loved: innovation, research, and technology, with a human-centered approach. The idea of applying my background in software engineering to a data-driven world excited me beyond words.
And soon, what once seemed like a distant dream became reality. I was packing my bags for Tampere, my new home.
The Real Lesson: Don’t Wait for the “Right Time”
If you’re reading this and have a dream, whether it’s studying abroad, changing your career, or starting something new, let me tell you something from experience: The right time doesn’t exist. You create it.
When was the last time you told yourself “tomorrow”? That dream you keep postponing, what if tomorrow never comes?
Every big journey begins with one small decision to take action today, not tomorrow. You don’t have to know every detail or have a perfect plan; you just have to start.
For me, it was that one decision on an ordinary evening in Dhaka that changed everything. And if I can do it, so can you.
From Dream to Reality
Today, I’m pursuing my Master’s in Data Science at Tampere University, surrounded by inspiring people, breathtaking nature, and a culture that values honesty and balance. Looking back, I realize that the hardest part wasn’t getting here. The hardest part was deciding to begin.
So, whatever your dream is, start now. Say yes to today because someday starts with you.
About the writer
Moi! I’m Anas Uddin, a Student Ambassador at Tampere University, currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Data Science. Originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh, I previously worked as a software engineer. I’m passionate about technology, design, health & fitness, personal style, and continuous personal growth. Outside of studies, I love exploring nature and new places, spending time with friends, and meeting new people.
