Studying in South Africa
Thousands of students are attracted by South Africa’s universities every year. While most young people from the rest of the African continent, as well as the rest of the world, come here to study and spend their university days, some choose distance learning courses with South African’s higher education institutions.
Studying in South Africa is an especially popular choice for students from Angola, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Malawi, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia and Tanzania. SADC (the South African Development Community) protocol prescribes that approximately 5% of higher education places in South Africa are reserved for students from member states (which I’ve mentioned above). There are three main reasons why youth from SADC choose South Africa for spending their student days: the geographical location (it’s close to their home countries), the potential (it can secure a job) and the opportunities (for future research and development). Of course, almost any student values the chance to experience the culture of this country. Nevertheless, there is also a dark side to student’s experience in South Africa. Some young people coming from SADC countries state they’ve been discriminated against, by both classmates and their universities.
When it comes to international students from other countries and continents, they are attracted by research opportunities, as well as the South African’s culture. It has to be said that the lower cost of living is a pull factor, especially for youth coming from the United States and European countries. Some of them think that bursaries in South Africa are almost unavailable for postgraduate international students. In addition, the tuition fees are twice as expensive for international students compared to the ones local students pay. Also, most of students from Europe and U.S. battle with feelings of alienation, fear and loneliness.
In general, the economy and the higher education institutions of South Africa have only one problem – xenophobia. Once the country wins the battle over it, this country will become the seventh heaven for international students because of the many benefits it already offers.
