There are numerous experiences one gets to enjoy studying abroad as an African national. Students from Africa have always been motivated by strong dreams of lofty heights, financial aid offered by such countries, a high standard of education and career opportunities and advancement. These are majorly beyond what they can enjoy in their home countries due to issues like the standard of education, lack of job opportunities, and challenging environments for career growth and advancement. Moreover, after graduation, they get to enjoy employment prospects, as most companies are on the lookout for prospective employees with international certificates.
Reasons for African Students to Study Abroad
There are several fascinating reasons to study abroad, and some of them are:
You will become attractive for employment.
When it comes to employment in some companies, students with international certificates are first considered. Their salaries are higher than those of their counterparts who studied at their local institutions. Students who studied abroad, due to their vast knowledge, are willing to take on new challenges. They can boast of good language skills, which add a boost to their CVs.
Personal development.
Studying abroad helps you to improve yourself and take some challenging opportunities to accelerate your personal growth. It also teaches you independence and self-reliance. You are going to experience basically new things abroad, especially if it is your first time leaving your home country. This will help you to face challenges and discover interesting ways to deal with them.
There are many courses to choose from.
Most international institutions offer courses that you can barely find in African institutions. Courses like event management, fashion, animation, creative writing and others may not be found in one’s home country, hence better choices abroad.
However, it is better to study courses that are acceptable in your home country in order not to waste your money, time, and efforts.
It is fun. As an international student.
You have the option to travel abroad and view the world from a different point of view. You will have to visit new places and explore different opportunities in a foreign land. Some neighboring countries are easily accessible to you while in your country of study. You will not just have fun; you will learn more about other people’s cultures and appreciate cultural differences.
Experience a new way of teaching.
Studying abroad is an opportunity for you to experience a different way of teaching in African institutions. This is unarguably going to open your mind to new ways of learning and doing things.
Have a global mindset.
Africans are believed to be narrow-minded. With your foreign experience, you will learn a lot of things and gain a global mindset. This will help you to back up your arguments in a wider way, which could boost your prestige.
Study Abroad Destinations for African Students
1. China
China is one of the top places students from Africa go to study abroad. The number of African students found in Chinese top universities is an attestation to this claim. In 2014, about 95 000 African students were admitted to Chinese universities, and they were on the increase each year.
2. Australia
Six Australian universities have been rated among the top universities in the world. As a global leader, Australia is a good study abroad place because of the types of courses offered at its top universities. Approximately 22, 000 courses are offered in universities, which makes it possible for one to find virtually any course he wants. Outside the classroom, students have a lot to enjoy adventurously. Australia is blessed with a unique range of habitats: rain forests, alpine mountains, and underwater ecosystems. Though quite expensive to live in, Australia is popular for its lifestyle and outdoor activities; this is absolutely a way to balance out students who enjoy learning and creativity.
3. France
For its academic excellence, reduced tuition, and diversified culture, France is just the best place to study abroad. For potential international students, a number of universities in France have been placed well in the world ranking of educational institutions. There are always places to visit outside the classroom for exciting experiences. Places like Bordeaux, Paris, Lourdes, and Versailles are home to beautiful and interesting places.
4. Norway
Norway is one of the top study destinations for African Students. It is known for its tuition-free state-run institutions, which help alleviate financial burdens. Students who have interests in the humanities, life sciences, or developments are on the right track in choosing the country. The volume of courses offered in Norwegian universities, together with the quality of education, make it an interesting and unique country for studying abroad for African students. Visitors to Norway are not left out, as the country is blessed with incredible natural beauty.
5. Netherlands
The Netherlands is not surprisingly one of the top universities to study abroad, going by the rate at which its universities rank as one of the top universities in the world. With the cost of living quite affordable, there are a great number of things that make education and studies very interesting. It has both cultural and historical hubs, which give one a look into the country’s rich tradition. Students who wish to explore top European countries like France, Germany, or the UK are better off studying in the Netherlands.
With its high quality of education, rich cultural background, low cost of living, and social environment, the Netherlands is sure to be at the top of the of the list of study abroad destinations.
6. The United States of America
The USA is interestingly a very big country with lots of amazing opportunities and bustling with activities. There are so many institutions in the USA that are very accommodating to international students. It could be one of the most expensive to study, but it has a lot of fantastic offers and study options for students of diverse backgrounds.
For students who love outdoor activities, the USA is the best place to be. There are endless activities coming from cities like New York, Southern California, and others. You can’t just be in the USA and not have places to explore.
7. The United Kingdom
The UK is one of the top study destinations for African Students. It is unarguably a very good place to study abroad for African students. Universities in the UK frequently top the global list when it comes to the quality of education. It is famous for notable places to explore by students as well as learn more about its traditions and history. Many large student cities, like London, can be located in the United Kingdom, with notable alumni like Mahatma Gandhi, Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, and the rest of them.
When you want to enjoy a high quality of education as an international student, the UK is certain to give you a rewarding experience.
8. Germany
Germany is one of the top study destinations for African Students. With modern learning and research facilities, Germany is certainly a destination for studying abroad. It offers a high quality of education with a central location for study where students who wish to explore other countries can find fulfillment. The German cities are blessed with vast cultural and historical backgrounds, with different higher institutions offering unique courses. You can’t afford to have any regrets if you make Germany your study abroad destination.
9. Italy
Italy is one of the top study destinations for African Students. It is a hub for many of the most prestigious universities in the world. Famous for its long and outstanding institutions, Italy is one of the countries with the oldest institutions. Fields like humanities, medicine, economics, and architecture offer a variety of courses you can think of. The country is also known for its fine wine and diverse cuisines. Places like the Colosseum, the Canals of Venice, and so on are interesting places to entice students to make Italy their number one study abroad destination.
10. Finland
Finland has once been rated as the best place to study abroad. It offers lots of amazing tourist destinations with good options for students who wish to explore the country. It has a great number of quality educators who engage students with their top teaching and imparting skills. Not just that, higher education is subsidized in Italy by the government, which makes it easier for students interested in financial aid to find success in the country. It might be quite competitive to gain entrance into the universities in Finland; however, the successful students have so much to say about their experiences in Finland.
Basic Requirements for Studying Abroad
The requirements for studying may vary based on the location or institution, however, there are basic requirements for one to study abroad, irrespective of the location. Some of them include:
- Be in a good academic standing with your institution. As long as you have a good academic position and can complete the necessary tasks, you are a good candidate for international institutions.
- Meet application deadline. Not being able to meet application deadline may hinder you from gaining admission. You must apply for your choice university and course in time before the deadline for application. As a student, you must be punctual to your academic activities and meeting the deadline for application is one of the ways to prove that you are capable.
- Transcript from school. You must pass the standard international examinations and language tests like IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, and so on, which solely depend on the country of your choice. Postgraduate students must have a degree certificate and write some course-specific examinations.
- Student visa. To get a student visa, you will have a proof of funds, confirmation of enrolment as well as meet the health insurance requirements.
- Be well-composed. As an international student, you are likely to attend some seminars which require that you dress in a professional way. It is to your best interest to maintain a professional business demeanor.
- Participate in all sessions. When you study abroad, you are expected to take active part in all scheduled sessions. You must pay attention to details and attend all mandatory programmes.
- Read all materials. You are not expected to skip any material as they all contain important information. The information will get you equipped for the challenges ahead.
Every country has something interesting to offer as you embark on your study abroad dreams. Ensure you meet the necessary requirement as an international student in order to qualify for admission.
This post was last modified on June 26, 2024 6:18 pm