A significant number of young Rwandans are pursuing their studies abroad and very many of their counterparts still home are working hard to join them. These young Rwandan students are based all over the world with the most popular destinations including Canada, USA, China and Kenya. 

With growing scholarship opportunities for Rwandan students to pursue education abroad, coupled with various international education fairs, it’s no surprise that we are witnessing a growing exodus of our young people going to pursue higher education abroad. This makes it imperative to ensure that their stay abroad is not only academically rewarding but also socially fruitful.

Needless to say, they experience a significant change in lifestyle studying abroad. A few students already studying abroad shared their experience with The Education Times about adjusting to completely different environments and cultures.

Joyce Rwagashonga, who is pursuing her dachelor’s degree in Toronto, Canada, believes that it is important for whoever receives an admission to study abroad to learn as much they can about their destination.

"In most cases students have no family where they are headed. It is important to keep in mind that you might have to deal with a lot of situations solo. Therefore, learn as much you can to avoid walking into a whole new environment blindly,” she advises.

"For instance, in Rwanda people are very friendly, but in most of these countries people are too busy to pay attention to you. You have to be ready to step out of your comfort zone and approach people or live in solitude,” she explains.

Even with the presence of large Rwandan and African communities established in many areas across the globe, many students who have settled in various places endure many challenges adjusting to their new environments.

Rwagashonga says it is inevitable that one will be homesick as they are likely to encounter situations and experiences they have never seen before. It’s only natural to fall back on and yearn for familiar surroundings.

"There are many challenges one is likely to encounter here. Most of the things here are expensive; therefore, you need to exercise financial discipline. It’s important that regardless of gender you know how to cook and do other chores because there is no one here to do it for you,” she cautions.

"Studying at top notch universities is an opportunity that most people don’t have so use it to become the best possible version of you. Commit to give your very best to grow academically, socially and emotionally. There are many opportunities and invaluable experiences that can be exploited to succeed during your time away from home,” Rwagashonga adds.

Maximillien Kamanzi, pursuing pharmacy in Kenya, says language barrier and adapting to new cultures that are completely different from your own is no easy fit.

"Having grown up in Rwanda, it is difficult to adapt to a country with multiple languages. It is difficult but it is not impossible to fit in. I miss the Rwandan cuisine, the scenery and the assurance of being absolutely safe. The experiences we live studying away from home may not be perfect but they are meaningful in a way that we come face to face with diversity and learn to embrace and appreciate it. We are exposed to so many opportunities and discussions with various people who have different ideas and perceptions which broaden our understanding,” Kamanzi adds.

Derrick Rwigamba, who is pursuing a bachelor’s programme in China also concurs that language barrier has been a challenge during the course of his education because it hinders movement and communication.

"The other major challenge about China is the weather. Temperatures are either extremely low or high. It takes quite a while to adjust to the different time zone and a completely new routine. Racism here is on a low scale; some people have simply never seen a black person before and therefore they are simply curious but rarely rude,” he says.

"Fortunately, China has a very broad Diaspora community so I feel like we are one huge family. We experience things we don’t yet have back at home like trains and metros. We also don’t face barriers with our practical education. Every challenge can be turned into an opportunity to grow and explore; you just have to find the right balance to do all you have to do to succeed regardless of the distraction,” Rwigamba adds.

Undertaking her undergraduate studies in India, Bella Iradukunda says the extremely spicy Indian cuisine has been the hardest thing to get accustomed to.

"The education system here is more complex and difficult, so at times it is draining but you have to push yourself to persevere. The people, language and customs here are so diverse that it can be a little daunting and overwhelming at times, but it can also be an adventure that widens your outlook to life,” she says

"Pune, the city I live and study is safer compared to other cities in India and I have not encountered any sort of racism. Leaving behind everything that was very familiar to you and starting over from scratch requires a lot of maturity and responsibility and therefore one should have focus towards what they want to achieve because it is easy to be distracted,” she adds.

On the other hand, Lounge Bitanuzire, a law student in the United Kingdom, cites racism as one of the biggest challenges she has had to endure in course of her stay and education in Britain.

"There so many different people and cultures here, but unfortunately the minority are undermined and there cases of discrimination or people who plainly believe that their cultures are superior. The positive bit to this is that this conditions you to become independent, open-minded and strong,” she explains.

"I deeply miss Rwanda. I miss the simple things and gestures that are full of humanity and gentleness like strangers who greet you on the streets, people who do favors without expecting anything in return and so many other warm and kind facets of our culture. You can get extremely lonely in these countries if you are without family or friends because most people are really cold. It can take a toll on your morale,” she adds.

"Apart from that, I enjoy my lessons and the academic experience as a whole. There is so much to explore, so many opportunities for self discovery and growth. You are challenged everyday and it pushes you out of your comfort zone which is a significant step towards achieving success,” Bitanuzire explains.

Isidore Iradukunda, who is majoring in chemistry and has lived and studied in Pennsylvania, USA for over 4 years, cites the struggle to understand and adjust to cultural differences as a major issue most international students experience.

"There is a lot students don’t understand when they arrive fresh from home. Machines they don’t know how to operate, cultural taboos they don’t know about and hence several misunderstandings may arise. It is important to not feel embarrassed by cultural differences, but rather feel comfortable enough to ask questions,” he advises.

"I would say that homesickness was one of the major challenges I have learned to endure. In my first week in the US, I called home almost every day, and my friends once a week for a month. Some of my friends would write journals detailing some of their escapades to email them to their families every weekend. To overcome homesickness, it is important to find things that occupy your down time such as new hobbies and socialising with new people. This helps you to make your new home feel like your old one,” Iradukunda adds.

Iradukunda further explains that there is a great deal of opportunities for students who choose to study abroad, starting with the quality of education itself.

"The standard of education and research is high; courses are more practical and industry oriented, and most of them have project components. Thus, that makes for a really good package of skills. In addition to that, volunteering, interning and engaging in other extracurricular activities exposes you to professional contacts and provides you with those extra sets of skills you wouldn’t have gotten in class. All in all, opportunities are available, but most of the time they are not easy to find, so one has to walk that extra mile to land on them,” he emphasises.

Iradukunda adds, "From my experience, I’ve found it very important and dignifying to maintain my culture. Some international students think that their worth will increase by rejecting their cultures and immersing themselves into the American culture, which by the way is hard to achieve. My advice is threefold. Be you and hold onto your identity, learn from mistakes, and be willing to make that extra mile to find the doors for opportunities.”

Araphat Mbonigaba, who returned to Rwanda six years ago after years of education and residence abroad, advises young people studying abroad to return home after their education saying there are many opportunities to exploit in the country.

"I lived in Germany, Switzerland and studied in Britain. I met all sorts of Rwandan students and it is clear to me that they are all very talented and can solve the acute shortage of skills in the country. They must understand that the grass is greener here,” he says.

"The market for their projects and the demand for their abilities is highest in Rwanda and the region at large. The life abroad maybe enticing but for long term development and career growth, I advise them to return to Rwanda.

It is in my experience a very accommodating environment for young people to grow their passions and achieve.

The many success stories we are witnessing from our young people who returned to the country tell me I am right,” Mbonigaba concludes.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw