DR SHEETAL BHOOLA
In recent years, we have become accustomed to hearing about the brain drain and South Africans who attain skills and qualifications at home and then leave our country to earn a livelihood abroad.
Some patriotic South Africans return home at some stage, and many do not. So many debates are focused on whether life is better in other countries and the varying socio-economic challenges no longer unique to South Africa.
Then, there are the students who seek to study abroad for various reasons. For many, it is classified as a life lesson coupled with qualifications endorsed by institutions abroad.
Skills attained abroad are the keys and entry card to becoming employed, and hopefully, a citizen in another country is specific to qualifications, skills, market demand and location. Yet, so many South African school-leavers opt to study abroad if they are given the opportunity. The motivations are varied, but a central goal is to experience life abroad and attain an internationally recognised qualification that can facilitate emigration.
The emigration process can be assisted through the development and structuring of a global network, which is attainable if one is a student abroad. In addition, potential employees with international experience tend to be more likely to be employed than their South African counterparts who have not had the opportunity to study or live abroad.
These experiences are expensive, and scholarships to study abroad are not plentiful. South Africans are often categorically pooled together with other candidates from African countries when opportunities for Africans are available. Some European countries, for instance, indicate very particular criteria and regulations for applicants.
Often, eligible candidates must be of a specific nationality, meet high academic benchmarks, fit into a particular age group, and be available to travel within the timetable of International Communication.
Some scholarships have also been earmarked to specifically support African women or African “black” women globally, which leaves no room for others to apply. The stakes are high, and South African school-leavers, undergraduates and post-graduate students are competing with individuals from around the world for those spaces.
There are a variety of international exchange scholarships available, but the keys to meeting eligibility are excellent academic performance and meeting the other necessary criteria.
A common question any candidate asks is, “How will you benefit from this opportunity?”
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has a range of scholarships on offer for South Africans, however, their selection process is rigorous and rigid. In 2004, DAAD funded me to complete an international co-badged Master’s degree in Germany and India. The hosting institutions were the University of Freiburg, Germany and Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations funded the selected students from South Africa and other institutions. The funding included all travel and living expenses and tuition fees.
I experienced student life in a developing and developed country that could not be compared geographically, culturally and educationally. The experience strengthened my personality by taking me out of my comfort zone, developing my communication and social skills further, and allowing me to learn much more and become an aspiring global South African citizen.
More importantly, I learned to live in another country, with a new culture, and learn new languages. South Africa’s Daily News Editor, Ayanda Mdluli, is aspiring to learn Mandarin. He was selected to attend a four-month journalism training program hosted by the China Communications Press Centre in Beijing.
Internships such as these provide great value in international experience, personality strengthening, skills and knowledge building, and networking. Editor Mdluli is among 100 other journalists from around the world, which will allow him to consolidate professional relationships with journalists and media houses worldwide.
In addition, he can be recognised for his skills in China. Similar internship programs are also facilitated by many other international institutions, although not all are funded. The key is to look at the fee structure and identify at the outset if it is an affordable option for yourself.
Some South Africans have indicated that the tuition abroad at certain institutions in China is far cheaper than in South Africa. Tuition fees at a Chinese public university can be as little as $2000, depending on which institution and the location of the institution. Tuition fees in the United Kingdom are expensive in comparison.
Tuition fees and regulations abroad vary depending on region, country, and institution. Norway and Germany are among the few countries that permit free tertiary education at state-funded institutions.
Some state universities located in specific regions, like the Baden-Württemberg area, charge between 1500 and 2000 euros per semester per student, whereas the fees at private universities are higher.
Other European state universities offer free tuition to European Union citizens only, and international students are forced to pay hefty fees, sometimes more than the citizens of that country. These options predominantly attract elite international students. Besides the cost of institutions, one has to consider the living expenses and travel to and from South Africa, especially if there is no scholarship.
Depending on where a non-EU student is located in Norway, they may be able to access free tertiary education. Countries like Finland offer free tuition to European Union citizens only. The Nations Category list, which is applied globally, also impacts the tuition fee that a South African student may be liable for while studying abroad.
South Africa is listed as Category C, which is a grouping that comprises of nations that have different infrastructure, natural resources, and economic development compared to countries in Category A and B.
However, international bilateral agreements with other countries have encouraged affordable educational opportunities abroad for South Africans. Universities in Denmark facilitate free tuition for international students who attend a state university within an official exchange program.
Still, students not belonging to an exchange program cannot access that benefit. American University tuition fees are among the world’s highest, although public universities are cheaper than private institutions. The exchange rate of the rand versus other currencies has to be considered when one decides where to apply.
The educational ties between India and South Africa have strengthened in recent years, and their India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme is developed specifically for South Africans. Candidates can select five preferred institutions they want to study at for a qualification.
This is a great benefit, as many other scholarships are less inclusive. This opportunity stipulates any South African is legible to apply as long as the age restriction is adhered to and the necessary academic indicators are met.
The scholarship includes living facilities as well as the travel fare. In addition, the continual bilateral agreements have also encouraged the structuring of scholarships, especially for Indian South Africans. To be eligible, one has to be of Indian descent. South Africans recently embraced this opportunity, and approximately 30 students were selected to study in India in 2025.
Many embassies, South African Research Institutions such as the National Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, the National Research Foundation as well as the Erasmus Program and the Boren Awards for International Study - fund short and long term development learning programs and the opportunity to acquire a qualification abroad.
Universities and national international relations offices around the globe play a pivotal role in career development and providing opportunities to youth. South Africans have to be dedicated and display academic excellence to be selected to participate in an internship or scholarship program abroad. The opportunity can only facilitate the process of South African youths aiming to become global citizens.
Dr Sheetal Bhoola is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Zululand, and the director at StellarMaths (Phoenix & Sunningdale).
Daily News