Tag Archives: Study Abroad

Top Locations to Study Abroad in East Africa

Africa is a continent bursting with potential study abroad destinations. Even though it faces numerous and varied social issues and underdevelopment, Africa is still rich in culture, topography, wildlife and natural beauty. For hands-on people, field work and close interaction with local communities are popular elements of the study abroad programs in Africa. Amazingly, there are very few limits to what people can study here: economics, anthropology, sociology, international development, politics and public policy, environmental studies, biology or zoology and so much more!

Whenever you are studying in Africa, it is important to plan your trip and that you are aware of your own personal safety. Street crime can be an issue in urban areas so carry only what you need with you. Never travel East Africa’s roads by night as the region has a poor road-safety record and banditry can be a concern in some areas, for example north-eastern Kenya, north-eastern Uganda and rural Burundi.

In this article we detail four great cities to consider when planning to study abroad; Nairobi in Kenya, Iringa in Tanzania, Kampala in Uganda and Kigali in Rwanda. However, East Africa is packed full of amazing cities and opportunities!

Nairobi, Kenya

Want to meet some real-life Simbas? Then seriously consider studying abroad in Kenya. Nairobi, the capital, is home to seven university campuses. Popular study abroad programs include environmental science, interdisciplinary studies and medicine.

Nairobi is the centre of media, music, economics, and more. Nairobi is a great for business and economics students. The city has its own stock exchange, is home to many companies and is a major global trader.

Animal lovers should check out Nairobi National Park, a wildlife preserve that’s home to animals such as giraffes, elephants, wildebeest, cheetahs, to name but a few.

Kenya has 49 universities and other institutions of higher learning. The top 5 schools in Nairobi are: University of Nairobi; Kenyatta University; Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology; Strathmore University; United States International University Africa.

Other study options in Nairobi include:

The University of Minnesota – Study international development. You’ll contribute through an internship or research project with a non-profit organization.

Athena Study Abroad – Ecology and Conservation in Kenya.

The Turkana Basin Institute at Stony Brook University – full semester and summer field school programs focused on human prehistory.

The travel advisory for Kenya is currently -Exercise increased caution in Kenya due to crime, terrorism and kidnapping.

Iringa, Tanzania

Iringa is a unique and interesting place to study; it was originally built to provide protection to the German colonists at the end of the 19th century. Whilst Tanzania is well known for its vast wildlife, Iringa is more recognised for its handmade crafts and baskets.

Studying in Tanzania means getting really acquainted with the African way of living. Whether you are watching the African wilderness from your back porch, interning and working alongside Tanzanians or getting up close and personal with all of Tanzania’s amazing wildlife, you will have an experience unlike any other.

Tanzania has 27 universities and 15 University Colleges. 2 of these universities can be found in Iringa: Ruaha Catholic University and University of Iringa.

Other study options in Iringa are:

Boston University Study Abroad – Explore issues of politics, class, gender, race, ethnicity and religion in East Africa.

SIT Study Abroad – Examine coastal ecology and natural resource management in one of the most remarkable areas of the world.

The School for Field Studies – Spend a semester exploring national parks and savannas.

The travel advisory for Tanzania is currently – Exercise increased caution in Tanzania due to crime, terrorism, and targeting of LGBTI persons.

Kampala, Uganda

As well as its friendly and social culture, Kampala is also a very safe city. A busy city life, a passionate academic culture and breath-taking natural wonders are just a few reasons why Uganda is a great place to vacation or study abroad.

With access to some of the greatest tourist attractions that East Africa has to offer, Uganda is a hub of cultural immersion, full of pioneering leaders, thinkers and artists waiting to be discovered.

Luganda is the most common language and can be learned through daily conversation and interaction however, all university courses are taught in English.

Uganda offers 4 types of visas for all international visitors. From single entry visas to 3-year visas, this allows students to select the visa that best fits to their program duration and travel plans.

There is 47 universities in Uganda and 19 of them are to be found in Kampala. The top 5 universities in Kampala are: Makerere University; Kyambogo University; Uganda Technology and Management University; Uganda Martyrs University; and Kampala International University.

Other study options include:

Worldaway Learning Tours – short-term, high-impact Educational Travel focusing on experiential learning and personal growth.

SIT Study Abroad – Examine development in theory and practice throughout Uganda.

Carpe Diem Education – Track endangered rhinos as part of a conservation team in Uganda.

The travel advisory for Uganda is currently – Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping.

Kigali, Rwanda

Although Rwanda is known for its terrible genocide, don’t discount it as a great place to study abroad. During your studies, learn how this country has bounced back from its horrific recent past. Go to university in the capital, Kigali, or study the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Popular programs for study abroad in Rwanda include anthropology, sustainable development, conflict studies and African studies.

Rwanda is one of the smallest and most heavily populated countries in Africa and it has risen from a recent history of political turmoil to become a country with rising prospects. A thriving culture, music and arts now define everyday life for the majority of its citizens. The opportunity to study abroad in Rwanda first-hand is a chance to discover this beautiful country in a completely new light.

There are 26 Rwandan universities and higher-education institutions and 13 can be found in Kigali. The top 5 universities in Kigali are: University of Rwanda; Université Libre de Kigali; University of Global Health Equity; University of Kigali; and University of Lay Adventists of Kigali.

Other study options include:

Global Youth Connect – Human Rights and Peace Studies in Rwanda.

SIT Study Abroad – Post-Genocide Restoration and Peacebuilding.

ThinkImpact: Rwanda – Institute for Social Innovation.

The travel advisory for Rwanda is currently – Exercise normal precautions in Rwanda.

Study Abroad in Anonymity…Not in Norway!

Studying abroad is something everyone should experience during college, but, sometimes external factors might not make it the most ideal time to ship off to Europe for 6 months. If you never made it overseas to take your higher learning to another level, don’t fret, there is always grad shcool!

BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo created probably one of the coolest PR campaigns I have ever seen and they’re going to select one lucky applicant to essentially be the most popular person in the city, no, really!

Watch this video if you don’t believe me:

Imagine seeing your face and personal interests plastered all over Oslo in magazines, billboards, everyone in school friend requesting you on Facebook, everyone knowing how to pronounce your name properly, your name being placed onto a beverage, an actual national TV commercial, etc.

This is all going to happen for one lucky individual and I don’t see how that person will not be the most popular person on campus, even before they touch Norwegian soil. They’ve named the campaign, “A Flying Start” which is a pretty appropriate title given what the school plans to do for the one student who wins the honor.

lars_olav_dybvig_112 lars_olav_dybvig_141

Oslo is the largest city in Norway as well as the capital. It is consistently being ranked as one of the top most livable cities in the entire world. Oslo showcases a large international student population, beautiful architecture, alluring surrounding nature, a lively nightlife and much, much more.

BI Business School is very diverse and proudly holds many major accreditations recognized the world over. Currently, there are more than 1800 students from an amazing 106 different countries making it one of the most diverse on the planet.

Free college tuition for everybody! 4 countries that are making this happen

 

Does this place look like somewhere where you could get free college tuition? Well ... it is, as this is Oslo University in Norway!

It is a seemingly inescapable problem for many young Americans. The work force is getting more competitive as the bulk of new jobs are being created in highly skilled fields, yet the cost of education is skyrocketing to healthcare-esque heights.

As a result of this conundrum, many feel they are in a proverbial Catch-22, having to choose between taking on crippling amounts of debt in the hope that the jobs they seek will be there for them when they get out of school, or take their chances with a high school diploma in the job market, or as an entrepreneur.

Meanwhile, across the pond, a tantalizing Third Way is materializing, as many schools in European countries are either drastically lowering or eliminating tuition fees for foreigners in a bid to attract them to their schools.

But why? In the article that follows, not only will we review each country’s free college tuition incentive programs, you’ll find out the method behind their madness…

1) Germany

With the scrapping of tuition fees in Lower Saxony this past year, every single university within Germany’s borders are now 100% free to attend, for residents AND for foreigners. What’s more, the degrees that these schools offer span most disciplines, with some programs not even requiring that you put together a formal application.

This all seems too good to be true, but in this case, it is, as the government of Germany has invested enormous amounts of money to attract English speaking foreigners to German schools so that its citizens might be exposed to native speakers of the language.

Germany also has many glaring skill shortages that it is staring in the face over the coming years, so the hope is that after foreigners complete their schooling, they will have loved their time in Deutschland so much that they will decide to pursue a career here as well. Go to school for free and get a job in an in-demand field after graduation? What is this, 1955?

2) Slovenia

Those looking to immerse themselves in a relatively obscure Central European country may want to consider spending some or all of their college career in Slovenia, as this nation offers easy access to Croatia and Italy for those seeking exciting weekend trip ideas.

In addition to only paying a paltry €30 registration fee, your meals here will also cost much less than you may be projecting, as the Slovenian government subsidizes meal plans, with the average meal costing half of what it would back in America.

While no school here tops international rankings, those looking for a piece of paper and a good time in their college years may want to consider coming to Slovenia.

3) Norway

If the fjords of Norway are beckoning you, then you’ll be happy to know that the schools here cost foreigners nothing to attend … not a single krone. Of course, the fact that Norway is one of the world’s most expensive countries, or that some schools in the Norwegian arctic are cloaked in 24 hour darkness for a portion of the winter will weigh on your decision, but there are many other positives that make this country a strong contender.

Outdoor lovers will have their hands full with activities such as skiing, hiking and Northern Lights viewing, while those that are serious about their academics will love the small class sizes, professor approachability and lightening fast internet access in even the most far flung of communities.

4) Sweden

Like its Nordic neighbor to the west, Sweden also offers college programs to foreigners that are highly attractive. Unlike Norway though, Sweden’s programs do charge tuition fees for those seeking a bachelors or masters degree.

Sweden makes an exception for those seeking a PhD, waiving tuition fees for those seeking the highest attainable academic honor. The workforce of the world is getting more competitive with each passing year, with even master’s degree owners beginning to feel the heat.

For members of this crowd, this program may be the opportunity to finally break apart from the pack, all while experiencing life in a foreign country in the process.

 

3 of the best cities in Spain to study abroad

Unbeknownst to most people, Salamanca is one of the best cities in Spain to study abroad!

Unbeknownst to most people, Salamanca is one of the best cities in Spain to study abroad!

 

While taking on student loans may make you hesitant to take to the road on an epic trip with all the bills that you owe to your creditors, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to sacrifice seeing the world until you are 55.

An interesting way to get over this beguiling hurdle is to apply to study in your discipline overseas. Most universities and colleges offer arrangements like this, or you can go to the trouble of arranging it yourself.

One nation that is an excellent place to spend a year or a semester overseas is Spain. Being home to amazing culture and history, mouthwatering tapas, and a language that is one of the most popular mother tongues in the world, this nation is an excellent choice to spend a period of time separate from the life you’ve always known back in America.

The only question that remains is: what city should choose to study in? This guide will you choose the best cities in Spain to study abroad so you can get the best possible experience during your brief period in this amazing country…

1) Barcelona

If being near a fabulous beach, amidst unique architecture, and within a community that speaks a regional language in addition to Spanish appeals to you, then Barcelona will prove to be a good choice. La Sagrada Familia will inspire you with its soaring spires, the strong regional identity of the Catalans will undoubtedly pique your interest in geopolitics, and when the time comes to relax on weekends with your new found friends, the beach will provide a chill spot to relax.

2) Salamanca

The mixed use of Catalan and Spanish will make it hard to focus on the latter if you are you are determined to learn it; if you are in this camp, Salamanca is a much better choice. A lack of English speakers makes it easy to immerse yourself in the local language, and when you are at ease in the community with your improving Spanish proficiency, you will be able to experience local cultural aspects like the generous lunches that are indulged in by the local population, experience the fervor that they employ to cheer on the local football team, and run errands like picking up mobile wif-fi from All Day Internet Spain with ease.

3) Madrid

If Spain’s complex art history has you interested in this storied nation, the best place to experience it is in the capital, Madrid. The Museum Triangle downtown contains some of the finest art museums in the world, and once you’re done getting your culture fix, some of Europe’s most lively nightlife awaits you in this cities’ entertainment district.

Top Things To Know About Visiting Buenos Aires!

The top things to know about visiting Buenos Aires can help you ease into Argentina’s famous capital, if you’re planning on studying abroad or visiting here. Take note that some of these pieces of information might not all be positive, but that’s life and it’s better to know of nuisances now than deal with them later. But don’t worry, not all of them are bad news!

Here are some of the top things to know about visiting Buenos Aires:

architecture in Buenos Aires

Carry spare change with you. And by spare change, we mean coins, especially if you plan on frequently traveling via public transit. In Buenos Aires, there seems to be a shortage in coins, so you’ll have a hard time getting you change back if you decide to pay with bills. Recently the city has begun implementing a rechargeable card system to mitigate the shortage of coins, but still hoard your change any chance you get!

Watch your step. Even sidewalks in Buenos Aires would be like walking on a mine field, as you need to watch out for dog poop and cracked tile sidewalks. So always be careful when you’re walking along the sidewalks of Buenos Aires.

Be careful. Big cities like Buenos Aires are a haven for crooks and robbers. So take necessary precautions when walking around Buenos Aires. When someone is calling for your attention, ignore them, walk on and go to a less deserted place. Chances are, they’ll leave you alone. This is the case with any major city like New York, Paris, London, Barcelona, etc.

Best steaks in the world. One of the top things to know about visiting Buenos Aires is that they have some of the best steaks in the world! From the well-seasoned bife de lomo, to the chorizo, their steaks are a must try when you’re in the city. And you won’t have to worry about the price. You can sample these savory steaks for less than US$10. A bottle of amazing wine will only run you a couple bucks as well. The drinking age is only 18 a well!

Christmas and New Years aren’t the best times to go to Buenos Aires. During the holidays, expect to see a ghost town rather than a bustling Argentinian city when visiting Buenos Aires during Christmas or New Year. You’d be disappointed to find even Mccdonald’s closed during this time of the year.