I am thinking of applying to EA Global New York 2026.
I want to be honest about where I'm at, because I think it's relevant to whether this makes sense for me. I came across the Effective Altruism Forum in 2025 while I was surfing the 80,000 Hours website looking for a job. I'm not going to pretend that I know a whole lot about Effective Altruism. While I came across this concept I actually read a few articles and also watched some YouTube videos, I've been volunte,ering for causes that felt urgent and visible to me; for the past few years, without realizing they are related to Effective Altruism. Honestly It happened a few times in life. After coming to a certain point, we can connect the dots.
A little bit about me: I'm pursuing a CS degree in Dhaka. I lead Machine Learning Bangladesh, a 3,000+ member AI community. I founded Cedar Initiative, a youth organization in Bangladesh. I was a US State Department scholar, did an exchange year in Iowa, US, and represented Bangladesh at an international AI competition in Azerbaijan last year.
I always thought of leaving something behind that would help others, even if I die early, I'd still be happy for the impact I'd be able to make. I've been planning this project named Oikko (Bengali word meaning Unity), a community hub for my hometown in rural Rangpur. First, I'd start off with a big building equipped with a library, computer + tinkering lab, civic + education center, rec center, a space for village kids, and elderly people who are turning to phone screens, abandoning the shared sense of community that people had in the past. Nothing has been built yet, but the plan is serious, and I am serious about it. If I say in a nutshell, this would be a building in the begging and later I'd expand to a big campus for an educational training center, summer camps, so I could promote social togetherness and the culture of innovation. Which is why I think it would be an amazing opportunity for me to meet people who do such work and ask them for their guidance and support in making this happen.
Also, I want to learn more about Effective Altruism from the people who are working behind this mission.
Not sure if I stand a chance or not, but if I get accepted, is it okay if I request for travel and accommodation support, because Dhaka to New York is not a small trip for a student with no income.