Writing a book can be a lot like climbing a mountain, they’re both extremely personal challenges that test every part of you until you can reach the end. For international student, Amatun Noor Mridula, the challenge was worth tackling twice as she has penned her first book, ‘The Five Billion Stars: Kilimanjaro Talks’, which revisits her achievement.

Published by New Generation Publishing, the book recounts her time in Tanzania, Africa, in 2018 where – at the age of 22 – she became the youngest person from Bangladesh to climb to the summit. Amatun, who is currently studying International Business in Luton at the University of Bedfordshire Business School (UBBS), said: “It was a life changing journey, one of my biggest accomplishments and a fantastic moment with the people of Tanzania.”

While climbing to the highest peak in Africa is a meaningful and personal experience, Amatun felt it was important to use her story to help inspire others. She continued: “I think it was important to me to talk about the experience because it’s a rare achievement. I wanted to share how mountain life actually is, what it takes to climb a mountain and how to face nature head-on while fighting with your mind and limbs. It’s an interesting journey to talk about”.

Amatun says that one of her favourite and most challenging moments on Kilimanjaro happened towards the end of her journey: “My favourite part of the book is when I cover the last few days of the trip. Our team went at end of February and reached the top on the first week of March, it was snowing there. It was a solid fight to the top, the weather was extreme and my legs gave up at the very last moment. With just an hour left to reach the summit, I motivated myself and felt very near to God, as if there was someone whispering ‘you can do it’!”

The book itself features a dedication to the memory of Amatun’s aunt who sadly died during the Covid-19 pandemic, an event which Amatun says almost made her stop writing. “The most challenging part of writing came when my aunt was in the ICU after contracting Covid-19. She was my favourite, and when we lost her I stopped writing the book. After few days I felt I should finish it and dedicate the book to her.”

Professor Judith Lamie, Interim Pro-Vice Chancellor of International at the University of Bedfordshire, congratulated Amatun on her achievement: “It’s fantastic to see a member of our international student community publish a book here in the UK. What an amazing achievement! To have written it during lockdown while juggling her studies remotely is inspiring – we wish Amatun all the best for her book’s success.”

Leszek Wypych, Senior Lecturer in Business Communication, teaches Amatun on the Intercultural Competence in Business module of her UBBS course. On hearing about her published book, he said:

“Amatun makes a dynamic contribution to classes and she has a lively and enquiring nature, with a good sense of humour. Her motivation and confidence has grown considerably over the period of her studies, so I’m not at all surprised to hear that she has published a book – congratulations to her!”

‘The Five Billion Stars: Kilimanjaro Talks’ by Amatun Noor Mridula (£6.99) can be purchased online from a number of retailers including Amazon, Foyles and Waterstones.

For further information about international study at the University of Bedfordshire, visit: www.beds.ac.uk/international