The 5 best destinations for African students to study abroad

Decided that you would like to study abroad? Great choice. Studying abroad has so many benefits. Not only will you discover an entirely new country, but you’ll also expand your horizons and (hopefully) make new friends from all walks of life.

Here are the 5 best destinations for African students to study abroad.

Canada

Languages: English, French

Thousands of students flock to Canada each year and it’s easy to see why. Its top spots to study include the lively and multicultural cities of Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa, with Montreal and Toronto often voted among the best student cities in the world.

Canada itself is a prosperous country with a strong economy and natural beauty aplenty. You’ll also find that most Canadians are very friendly and its public healthcare system is one of the best in the world. 

Germany

Languages: German, sometimes English

Germany welcomes over 400,000 international students each year and no wonder. Many of its universities offer publicly funded degree programs to international students and there are many specialised education institutions providing courses in engineering, technology and business.

The country is also noted for its relatively low living costs. Berlin and Munich are regularly voted among the most affordable cities for students and the locals are very warm and friendly to migrants—as evidenced by its high level of support for refugees in recent years. 

United States

Languages: English, sometimes Spanish

The USA has also long been a sought-after destination for Nigerians with Nigerians making up the largest African immigrant group in the nation. In fact, almost a million Nigerians immigrated there in the late 1960s and early 1970s. As a result, issues like homesickness may be less of a risk factor if you decide to study in the USA.

The country is also a great choice from a studying perspective. In the QS World University Rankings 2022, five American higher education institutions featured in the top 10 with 177 making the overall list. Studying here can be costly but there are scholarships available so it’s worth doing your research.

Norway

Languages: Norwegian, Sami, English

Another country with a high Nigerian immigrant population is Norway. In fact, Nigerians make up 35% of the African student population in the country with Oslo being home to one of the greatest communities of Nigerians. Looking at the benefits, it’s not hard to understand why. 

The people here are very warm, friendly and accommodating with the majority of residents being foreigners themselves. There’s also a very high percentage of people that speak English and the country boasts a consistently low crime rate, as well as a good welfare system and low employment.

France

Languages: French

The higher education system in France is considered to be one of the very best in the world—particularly in the city of Paris. Some of the best-ranked universities in the world include France’s very own Université PSL, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Sorbonne University and Universit Paris-Saclay. 

Although the country’s living costs can be high, studying in France is often free or at least relatively cheap (but it is worth bearing in mind that you will have to pay an annual admin fee of $250 as an international student). Students of any nationality can also work part-time on or outside of campus while they study. And if you fancy travelling, France’s central location makes it easy to explore the rest of Europe.

So, where will you decide to study? The world is your oyster.

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