Editor DorisNigerian youth are in a rush to get out of the country. In the past young people were often faced with the following choices: stay in the country and complete their education, or travel overseas for work or business. These days, with the rapid decline in the educational system of the country, it seems like they are not really given much of a choice.
But travelling abroad is not an easy venture: not everybody who gets on a plane finds that when he lands abroad all his problems are a thing of the past. Some people travel only to find that the grass was not really greener on the other side as they had imagined.
It is therefore very important to take careful consideration before deciding to travel out, especially if you are going abroad to study. This article is designed to highlight the most important considerations Nigerian students must make when deciding to study abroad so that their efforts will not go to waste.
Here are a few things to Consider before Travelling abroad to Study
Most Important Considerations Nigerian Students Make When Studying Abroad
What are you going to Study?
Because travelling abroad to study is a much more capital-intensive venture you want to first ensure that you have exhausted all local options. Therefore, the first thing to do is check what local Nigerian universities are offering what course you want to study. You don’t have to limit your search to public Universities; you can also search out private universities. Their learning is not disrupted by the incessant strikes that plague the Nigerian educational system, and if you are planning to study abroad then you can surely afford the fees.
Are there Universities in Nearby Countries you could Study at?
You will be interested in looking at the nearby countries with a more stable educational system: countries like Ghana and the Benin Republic have become newly hot destinations for Nigerian students who now travel in droves to those countries for their studies.
The good thing with these schools is that some of them teach with the local Nigerian curriculum because they are owned by Nigerians. Furthermore, they are not so expensive as those European universities. Another advantage of the universities in the countries near Africa is that you enjoy a similar climate and culture to that which you are already familiar with within Nigeria.
Cost and Your Finances
As mentioned before, studying abroad can be a very capital-intensive venture. On average, you could spend up to $12,000 per year for tuition only. You will also need to spend money on your living expenses: food, clothes, boarding, and so on. Some countries even require you to pay money to the Visa office just to show that you can meet the financial requirements of living and studying in the UK.
It is, therefore, necessary to check your finances and ensure that you have the financial capacity to meet up the demands of studying abroad. Keep in mind the economic pressure facing the country and the rapid deterioration of the country’s currency.
What Sacrifices would you need to make?
Leaving your family is a troubling experience, but that is not the kind of sacrifice we are talking about. After all, your family will be healthy, fine, and good when you return from your studies, and so you can just carry on from where you left them, without any worries at all.
The kind of sacrifices we are talking about are business, career, or financial sacrifices. Some people sell off property- houses, farms, cars and other things like that, and when they travel abroad for studies. Sometimes the gamble pays off; they come back richer than they left, and they are able to buy all that they have lost 10 times over.
However, a gamble is still a gamble, and it is possible to lose. One must therefore make careful considerations before selling off the property; especially family property because if anything goes wrong, the individual will not be the only loser.
Top Destinations for Nigerians to Study
Traditionally, Nigerians have always gone to America, United Kingdom, Germany, and other such countries as places for the elites to gain knowledge with which they come back to Nigeria to take up prominent positions in the country.
However, the country has changed dramatically in the last few years; the country has fallen economically, and so most Nigerians can no longer afford to go to these countries in search of an education that will help them reach the heights that they want to go.
These days Nigerians now go to countries
Canada
Canada is like a brand new country in North America; the country is full of great opportunities to study, live, and work. The country is prosperous, the economy is stable, and the society is very liberal. There is very little discrimination and radicalization of the polity.
Australia
Australia is a very similar country to Canada- it was colonized by Britain just like Canada, and has a similarly structured economy based around natural resources, and a growing service economy. It is therefore no surprise that this country has become attractive to Nigerians who travel there to study, and then quickly put down roots in the thriving economy of Australia.
Norway
Norway is an ancient country that is very modernized and very organized. This culturally rich country in Northern Europe is a great place to be especially as a student because you get to see in practice all that you are taught about running a well-organized professional organization or society. The society is also calm and cheerful; the people are welcoming of strangers.
Finland
Finland is another great country where a Nigerian could possibly travel for studies. This is a country where the government works for the people; education runs smoothly, as do housing, the police, the economy, medical facilities, and even public transportation.
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Conclusion:
The list of what to consider before travelling abroad for studies could certainly be longer or shorter, depending on your individual circumstances: people who are from the right backgrounds generally have less to worry about. Whatever the case may be, there is a high possibility of success if one chooses to travel abroad for studies, and carefully plans towards it.