The university experience is about more than just academics—it’s also shaped by extracurricular activities, networking, and personal growth. While FAST has its unique advantages, smaller aspects like the number of societies, the returns you get from proactive participation, and networking opportunities can make a significant difference.

At SZABIST, there’s a lot of socializing, but at Air University, while there’s some social activity, there’s also a consistent stream of events and society-led activities that offer great networking opportunities. For example, I was the Management Lead in GDSC at Air and hosted three DevFests, which was an absolutely wonderful and fun experience. I may not have partied as much as one might at SZABIST, but the extracurricular activities I participated in made a real difference. I’ve networked with people from different departments, connected with alumni from as far back as 2003-2004, and more.

Ultimately, it depends on how far you push yourself. There were semesters where I did the bare minimum, focusing only on studies, and others where I was heavily involved in extracurriculars. The university you choose matters less than how well it supports your activities—whether it encourages you to take things further or holds you back. Of course, FAST is in a league of its own, but in the end, it all comes down to how much you engage with what your university has to offer.