By Victor Ochieng’
On Thursday, May 19, 2022, I attended the Worldview Education Fair to learn more about the world of work held at Emara Oleseni Hotel along Mombasa Road, Nairobi. The useful career event was powered by Find Admission, which is a study abroad agency.
The career fair had representatives from various universities spread across six occidental countries like the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Germany, Australia and Hungary.
We were given first-hand information pertaining universities abroad and their scholarship opportunities, application processes, and entry requirements.
Most of the people who attended this critical career convocation were Form 4 leavers.
By and large, students should know various agencies that can help them secure merit-based study-abroad opportunities in universities found outside Kenya.
Studying abroad is a fantastic phenomenon. Through it, students basically cross countries and continents in hot pursuit of the best education.
It is epitomized by Tom Mboya’s greatest philanthropic project of airlifting Kenyan nationals to America in 1959, 1960 and 1961. Barrack Obama Senior and Professor Wangari Maathai were part of this impactful programme.
Moreover, these opportunities provide smooth transitions into prestigious universities or colleges. Through them, students get experience and exposure by accessing infinite spectra of choices.
This is made possible through agencies like Uni-abroad, Imperial Education Consultants, Swiss Education Consultants, Edu-USA, Edu-Canada, Edu-care International, Universe Education, UNIPSS, Transworld, Education Consultants, Uni-SERV Education, Find Admission, and many more.
The golden goal is to help them see beyond the sea. For in most career talks we roll out in schools, there are students who ask quality questions. What such students ought to know is that these are highly-competitive chances, which behooves them first to garner good grades in KCSE.
For them to apply to study abroad, they need scanned copies of: (a) KCSE certificates, (b) international passport, (c) data pay, and any other requisite documents. When making applications, a gap of six months after KCSE will give the applicant an upper hand.
Yet before the student applies to these universities, it is imperative to consider accreditation details and ranking of various universities in the world. It is not just about studying abroad, but becoming objective in such puissant pursuits.
Discretion should reign; so that in the long run, it does not become a wild goose chase.
In addition, scholarship opportunities are open to all students who are interested.
The Kenyan government collaborates with other governments to facilitate excellent exchange programmes. The more serious ones may also visit its website http://www.education.go.ke/. While applying, they should remember to attach only certified copies to the Directorate of University Education.
It is important to note that securing a scholarship opportunity to study abroad comes with a fair share of merits. When a student is awarded a scholarship, the money saunters straight to the college tuition, and sometimes to books, air ticket and upkeep. Scholarship money is not to be paid back like the one advanced by the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
It can also come with its challenges. A good example is culture shock and racism experiences. At the same time, learning a new language and making friends may be an arduous task. In addition, there is the danger of running out of cash away from home.
The writer rolls out career talks and training services in schools. vochieng.90@gamil.com
