Nigeria may not be considered a first world country, but the quality of education offered within the state is quite high and as such, students from outside the country visit for full-time study or exchange programs in the local colleges and universities.
College in Nigeria, like it is in any part of the world, can be an exciting adventure:moving away from home, meeting new people and finally getting a true taste of independence.
There are however a few things these college students who intend to visit Nigeria for education should first know about the state.
Jumia Travel, Africa’s No.1 travel portal offers 5 important tips to help them make the most of their experience.
The Nigerian culture is different from yours
The way of life in Nigeria will certainly be different from that which is the norm wherever you are coming from. Rather than shy away from the new Nigerian lifestyle, embrace it. College is the perfect time to get out of your comfort zone, try a lot of new things and meet all different kinds of people.
Do not just hang with other international students, get involved in as many things as you can, make sure you meet both international and Nigerian students as that is the best way to experience, learn and adopt the Nigerian life.
Do not believe everything you see on the news
Just because you saw a recent article saying that Niger Delta militants are invading Lagos and it is the start of another civil war doesn’t make it true. In an age where everyone tweets his or her opinions, it is hard to discern the real news from a skewed fabrication.
While it is important you stay current on the local news, be sure to ask yourself: What evidence did the reporter provide? Is that source named, authoritative, independent and credible? Sifting the news you get is a good way to ensure you never get a heart attack by some of the headlines that newspapers around the country carry.
There Are Opportunities for Scholarships, Grants, and Financial Aid
The general idea is that Nigeria is a poor country and so there are no opportunities for students, especially international students to gain any form of scholarship, grant or financial aid.
This is not true. Some universities offer partial to full scholarships for international students. Also, there are many organizations and foundations that offer grants and financial aid, you just need to be able to research properly, ask your school’s admission office and show all requirements.
Grades are NOT everything
This may sound like Greek to you right now as your needed admission was based on grades, scores in the JAMB, WAEC or GSCE. You, however, need to realize that when you get into the Nigerian college, it is a different ball game. Key thing is to find a balance between fun and work, because after you graduate, your grades may not be entire all that qualifies you for a job and even more.
When you look back at your years in college, you probably will not remember if you got an A or a C in ENG 101, but you will remember the awesome memories with your friends and colleagues as well as other experiences you garnered. Keep in mind that Grades, while important, are not everything.