Studying MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) in Bangladesh has become increasingly popular among international and domestic students due to its reputable medical education, affordable fees, and global recognition. With many students moving away from home for the first time, questions about day-to-day living conditions—especially hostel rules and lifestyle—naturally arise. One common concern revolves around whether students are permitted to cook in their hostel rooms or premises.
In this detailed article, we explore the policies, safety considerations, cultural norms, alternatives for cooking, and practical tips for MBBS students who wish to prepare their own meals while living in hostels in Bangladesh.
Hostel regulations are designed primarily to ensure safety, discipline, hygiene, and harmony among residents. Medical college hostels house a large number of students in close quarters, and unsupervised cooking can introduce risks such as:
Fire hazards
Gas leaks or electrical overloads
Food contamination and pest problems
Disturbances for other students
Because of these concerns, most hostel administrations impose rules that either restrict or strictly regulate cooking activities.
Each medical college in Bangladesh may have its own specific hostel regulations. However, there are several common patterns:
Cooking inside individual rooms: Usually not permitted
Designated cooking areas: Sometimes available with restrictions
Use of electrical appliances (e.g., induction cookers or hot plates): Often regulated
Authority approval: Required for any exceptions
Let’s break down what these norms mean in real scenarios.
Most hostels in Bangladesh prohibit students from cooking within their own rooms. The main reasons include:
Fire and smoke hazards: Most hostel rooms are not equipped with proper ventilation or fire-safe structures.
Electrical safety: Improper use of hot plates or induction stoves can overload circuits.
Odor and cleanliness: Cooking smells can linger in dormitory environments, affecting students who may be studying or resting.
Pest attraction: Food kept in rooms can draw insects and rodents if not stored properly.
These factors together make room cooking undesirable from the administration’s perspective.
Some institutions may allow limited cooking in special circumstances, such as:
International students during cultural events
Medical or research reasons approved by authorities
Designated common kitchens with supervision
But such exceptions are usually rare and tightly regulated.
Even though classroom rooms often have restrictions, students still need ways to prepare meals—especially if they have dietary preferences, restrictions, or cultural requirements. Let’s examine the alternatives.
Many hostels provide common kitchen spaces where students can cook under certain conditions:
Scheduled hours (e.g., morning and evening)
Use of centralized gas or electric stoves
Supervision by hostel staff or cooks
Shared responsibilities for cleaning and maintenance
These kitchens are designed to be safer than individual room cooking and are often equipped with appropriate ventilation and safety features.
In some hostels, students form informal arrangements to share cooking duties. For example:
Students from the same region cook meals together
Rotational cooking schedules
Shared cost system for grocery purchases
This approach builds camaraderie and reduces individual burden, while remaining within safe boundaries.
While cooking with gas stoves is usually restricted, some colleges allow low-risk electrical appliances, such as:
Electric kettles
Electric rice cookers (in specific areas)
Sandwich makers
Water heaters
These are sometimes permitted but may still require explicit approval from hostel authorities.
Since hostels contain many young adults and limited supervision at night, fire safety is a top concern. Regulations often emphasize:
Alarm systems
Fire extinguishers
Emergency exits
These are usually located in common areas but may not be practical for individual rooms.
Most hostels discourage:
Gas cylinders in rooms
Unattended electrical stoves
DIY cooking setups
Permitted appliances are typically vetted for safety and must be certified for use in dorms.
In shared living environments, hygiene becomes critical. Unregulated cooking can lead to:
Food spoilage
Pest infestations
Health risks
That’s why many hostels either ban room cooking or provide structured kitchens with regular cleaning.
Students with special health needs—for example, those requiring gluten-free diets, diabetic diets, or culturally specific foods—may find it more challenging to adapt to standard mess food. In such cases:
Students should communicate with hostel administration
Special arrangements may be considered
Use of common kitchen facilities may be prioritized
If a student believes they have valid reasons to cook within a hostel environment, the process often involves:
Writing a formal request letter to the hostel warden or principal
Explaining the reason (health, dietary necessity, cultural requirement)
Submitting supporting documents (doctor’s certificate, dietary plan)
Following up with hostel authorities
The decision remains entirely at the discretion of the college administration.
To improve chances of approval:
Be clear and respectful
Provide evidence of safety measures you plan to use
Propose specific time frames or limited appliances
Offer to share responsibility for safety and cleanliness
Realistically, only a small number of such requests are granted, and cooking is usually confined to designated areas.
Most MBBS hostels in Bangladesh operate a mess system, which typically includes:
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Balanced meals with regional variation
Fixed monthly charges
Clean dining areas
The mess is the default food provision for students who do not cook.
In addition to mess food, students often utilize:
Affordable local eateries
Food delivery services
Street food options
These are especially popular for late-night snacks or dietary variety.
Students can order groceries from local markets for cooking in common kitchens or even in shared flat arrangements outside hostel premises.
Bangladesh has a rich culinary heritage. For many students—especially those from abroad or different regions of South Asia—food is deeply connected to cultural identity. Many hostels acknowledge this by:
Allowing group cooking days
Organizing cultural food events
Creating community meal gatherings
These occasions allow students to cook and share traditional foods in a regulated environment.
It’s important to understand that hostel mess food may differ from what students are used to. Adapting involves:
Accepting local food customs
Communicating food preferences politely
Building tolerance for new flavors and schedules
Though some students struggle initially, many eventually appreciate the diversity of cuisine available in Bangladesh.
Control over ingredients and nutrition
Cost savings (if done efficiently)
Cultural comfort and personal preference
Flexibility in meal timing
Most hostels restrict or prohibit in-room cooking
Limited access to kitchen facilities
Extra time required along with academic workload
Potential safety concerns
Given the rigorous MBBS curriculum, many students find it more practical to rely on mess food or external meals.
WHO
Course Duration:
Average Fees:
Universities:
Medium:
6 years
$3,000 - $7,000 per year
2+
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