Exploring Study Options

　　When African students consider where to studyabroad， their first choices are often European or Americanuniversities. It was estimated that there were more than100，000 African students studying in France alone in 2009.

　　This is， first and foremost， a matter of language， as well asthe quality and reputation of university degrees obtainedin “the West.” However， if African students want to have aunique educational background， they might want to considerchoosing to study at an Asian university - a wise choice consideringthe growing importance of the East in Africa’s tradeand economic development. According to estimates madeby Professor Adams Bodomo of the University of Hong Kong，Chinese universities hosted around 28，500 African studentsin 2009.

　　Asia is an increasingly interesting study destination. Opportunitiesabound in many Asian countries， including Indiaand Malaysia， which， thanks to a distinct government strategyaimed at attracting foreign students， is an increasinglypopular destination for students. China also offers its foreignstudents many opportunities， and is another important centerfor education. According to commitments made in 2009，the Chinese Government currently offers 5，500 scholarshipsfor foreign students wishing to study in China. There are20 special partnerships between African universities andChinese counterparts.

　　According to research conducted in Beijing by StellenboschUniversity’s Center for Chinese Studies (CCS)， thesearrangements are very important to African students， asthe vast majority of African students in China are funded byscholarships. These scholarships are either fully funded bythe Chinese Government， or are joint scholarships that arepaid for by African governments and China， with each contributing62 percent and 34 percent， respectively.

　　African students travel to China to seek quality educationin economics， sciences and engineering. Although they seelearning Mandarin as an initial obstacle， they also understandthat proficiency in Chinese may be beneficial for their futurecareers. In other words： African students are already seekingand seeing opportunities - and making use of them - inChina.

　　China’s universities are unlikely to outpacetheir Western counterparts in the nearfuture， but they are already playing a valuablerole by offering students new choices andopportunities. While Europe and North Americawill remain important destinations for Africanstudents， the continent also needs experts whounderstand Asia. Cultural and historical linkagesbetween China and Africa have existed for manyyears， and are growing.

　　But CCS’ research also shows some issues that studentsshould be made aware of before choosing to study in China.Some students claimed that the learning style was differentfrom Western universities. Research revealed that Chineseuniversity courses require much more memorizing duringlessons， with less time being reserved for discussions. Manystudents also see China as a very exotic destination， and theyoften remain uncertain as to how welcoming (and accessible)Chinese society is to foreigners.

　　Some students also pointed out some areas for improvement.

　　One suggestion was that universities organize internshipsat Chinese corporations to complement a student’sacademic studies， showing that gaining practical experiencewas a high priority for the African students. And in orderto ease foreign students’ initial adjustment period， it mightbe useful to more actively engage students during their timeabroad， perhaps through mutual exchange programs that allowChinese students to visit African universities while Africanstudents study in China. This would require scholarships thatallow students to study abroad for a semester while remainingfully enrolled in an African university， and making theirtime abroad part of their studies in their home country.This would help to better bridge cultural differences andfurther involve African universities. African alumniof Chinese universities might help by offeringstudents initial guidance.

　　Overall， visiting and learning in other countries- China in particular - is an opportunity that Africanstudents should take. Going abroad to study isalways an individual decision. Yet， it is one thatshould be encouraged， as globalization requiressocieties to learn more about their partners inother parts of the world.

　　By Sven Grimm