Important factors to consider before studying abroad
Most Nigerian youths are desperate to gain admission to foreign universities. But most of them, including their parents, are ignorant of factors to consider before making their choice. They have erroneously believed that money is the determinant factor.
However, an educationist, Mrs. Rose Omonubi, who has been in the UK, recruiting students for foreign universities for 11 years and the Director, Brooke House College, London, Mr. Giles Williams, said applicants should think beyond money when picking a foreign university.
The two, who spoke during an interactive session that the Avi-Cienna International College, Lagos, organized as part of the school‘s open day activities for parents, were unanimous that the ability to pay the huge tuition should be secondary.
She said, “Yes, you must be able to pay but beyond this, there are other factors that admission seekers and their parents should consider before picking a foreign university. The university could have the name, it could be one of the top rated institutions but it may not be the right university for you.
“For instance, as a Nigerian who wants to study law, it will not be the best for you to go to a Canadian or an American university for such students, a British university will be a better option.”
This, she said, was because the Nigerian legal system was fashioned alongside the British system, and as such, it would not be wise to go to America or Canada to study law.
She added that a Nigerian seeking admission to foreign institutions should also look at the research quality, location, teaching and learning facilities and the graduate destination of the graduates of such institution before applying for admission.
She added, “As a parent, who does not want to waste his/her money, go to the website of such institution, look at how far the hostels are to the main campus. If they are far, don‘t pick it, because during winter, your child may choose to stay indoors, thus missing classes. Check the campus life of the institution; see if the bar is located within the hostel or around the lecture room, if this is the case, I won‘t advise you to enroll your wards in such an institution.”
For parents who want to pay less tuition and accommodation fees, Williams said universities in Wales, Scotland and South East would be the best bet for their children as these areas were less expensive.
Williams also added that applicants should also study the laws of these foreign nations as they affect university education before applying.
This, he said, became necessary because some foreign nations‘ laws placed age limitation on university education.
Earlier, Williams had said that the need to help pupils of Avi-Cienna to gain admission to universities in the UK and Canada informed the partnership between the two schools.
Under the arrangement, pupils of Avi-Cienna will move to Brooke House College to complete their secondary school.
The idea is to ensure that they have the opportunity to apply to various universities from within the UK and as such smoothen their admission to these foreign institutions.
Source: The Punch
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