BANGLADESH STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The Bangladesh Student Association (BSA) at Idaho State University is the main organization for Bangladeshi students, their families, and the Bangladeshi community in Pocatello. We provide a friendly and supportive environment where students and community members can connect with others who share their background. Our group helps new and current students adjust to life at ISU by offering guidance and resources. We organize social gatherings and cultural programs to promote friendship and community.

The main purposes of BSA at ISU are:

• To create a platform through which students and faculty on campus can come together to raise awareness about Bangladesh.

• To represent Bangladesh, its cultures and serve the interests of Bangladeshi students within Idaho State University.

• To welcome new Bangladeshi students and help them to cope up with local culture as well as to the ISU campus life.

We welcome all students and community members who want to learn about Bangladesh and be part of a diverse and caring community.

Constitution

BSA, as an official legal organization at ISU, operates under its own constitution. You can find the PDF of the constitution here.

Bangladesh is a beautiful and culturally rich country located in South Asia, bordered by India on three sides and Myanmar to the southeast, with the Bay of Bengal to the south. Despite its relatively small size, Bangladesh is home to over 160 million people, which makes it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The country has a long and fascinating history that dates back thousands of years, with influences from ancient Buddhist, Hindu, and later Islamic civilizations shaping its unique cultural fabric. Bangladesh is known for its vibrant traditions, including its colorful festivals, traditional music and dance, distinctive art forms, and delicious cuisine. The Bengali language, or Bangla, is a vital part of the nation’s identity and pride, symbolizing the country’s struggle for cultural and political independence, especially during the Language Movement of 1952 and the Liberation War of 1971. 

The natural beauty of Bangladesh is breathtaking, with sprawling river systems, lush green landscapes, and the world’s largest river delta formed by the convergence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. The Sundarbans mangrove forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the rare and majestic Bengal tiger, along with diverse wildlife and plant species. Bangladesh’s people are known for their resilience, warmth, and strong sense of community. Over the past few decades, the country has made remarkable progress in education, healthcare, and economic development, emerging as a growing hub for technology and innovation. 

At the Bangladesh Student Association at Idaho State University, we take great pride in sharing this rich heritage and culture with the ISU community and the greater Pocatello area.

Did You Know?

• The word Bangladesh means “Country of Bengal” or “Land of Bengal” in the native Bangla language. Its official name is the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

• Bangladesh is home to the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world. 

• The world’s longest natural sea beach, Cox’s Bazar, is located in Bangladesh.

• The Bay of Bengal, surrounded by India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, is the largest bay in the world.

• Bangladesh has six seasons instead of four. It has grismo (summer), barsha (rainy season), sharat (autumn), hemanto (cool season), sheet (winter), and bashonto (spring).

• There are 1294 rivers flowing through Bangladesh.

• The national animal of Bangladesh is the Royal Bengal tiger. Interestingly, Idaho State University’s mascot, Benny, is also a Bengal tiger.