However much economies and lifestyles change, education has proved to be a necessity everywhere. So much so, it is a human right; a right to education. For many of us Ugandans, nothing is a better jackpot than securing an international scholarship, well, except maybe securing a job after school. Still, the thought of studying in a foreign country, travelling, and building a global network is enough to get anyone excited. However, as glamorous as it might sound, there’s usually a lot more to international scholarships that many of us seem to overlook. Some even don’t consider them until when they actually get through and have to travel.
Expectations Vs. Reality for example. When most people hear about international scholarships, they automatically think of prestigious Universities (which they usually are), free tuition and a fast track to success. And I mean, it’s easy to assume that once that acceptance letter drops into your email your life will follow a straight forward free study, travel the world and land a high-paying job as soon as you graduate. Just imagine the weight of your CV… I for one thought of that when I applied all those years back (I didn’t cut though.)
The reality on the other hand, while scholarships can cover tuition and living expenses, not all of them are fully funded. Some only cover part of the costs, and you may need to budget for airfare, visa fees, or personal expenses. And let’s not forget the cultural adjustments, academic pressure, and homesickness you might experience, because trust me, people be missing home out there. Landing a job after graduation isn’t guaranteed either; you’ll need to actively network and build your career path from the ground up like everybody else.
Make your research. For those of us who have tried applying for scholarships, the advice “take whatever you get” might be familiar. ‘it’s an opportunity’ they say, ‘take any that takes you and fake it till you make…you will manage’ they will always say. But, before applying for any scholarship, do your homework. Many people apply for scholarships without fully understanding what they’re getting into. Different programs have different requirements, and some are very specific about the courses they fund or the type of students they want.
For example, the Chevening Scholarship focuses on leadership potential and requires you to return to your home country after completing your studies. Meanwhile, Erasmus Mundus offers joint master’s programs across multiple European countries. Each scholarship comes with its unique conditions.
To avoid wasting time on applications that don’t fit your profile and clinging to your email inbox for replies that will most surely be rejections, read the fine print. Look for scholarships that align with your academic background, career goals, and personal circumstances.
The Application Process Sucks. It’s tough, people. Applying for an international scholarship isn’t a walk in the park, in fact, getting to know of the scholarship itself takes some luck and connections. But then again, applying for anything has never been easy in Uganda; ever tried Visa applications? These things require time, effort and a whole lot of patience…did I even mention the paperwork? Here’s what you typically need.
- Personal Statements. These are usually about you, as the name suggests. It’s your chance to sell yourself; be genuine, passionate and clear about your goals.
- Letters of recommendation. These come from people who know you well academically or professionally. Considering that some of these scholarship opportunities are more easily accessed via schools where your mentor might interest you in one, these are usually handled by them.
- Academic Transcripts. Ensure that your records are up to date and in order. You most definitely don’t want to miss an opportunity because you got lazy and failed to check on your documents.
- English Proficiency Tests. Scholarships often require proof that you can actually speak, write and understand English. This typically involves taking an IELTS or TOEFL test to determine what level of the English language you are at. They are also paid for by you, not usually covered by the scholarship.
- Keep the deadlines. Deadlines are non-negotiable, missing one can cost you the entire opportunity.
Build a Strong Online Presence. Believe it or not, your online presence can impact your scholarship application. Some scholarship committees might look at your LinkedIn profile or even your social media pages to get a sense of who you are, and boy oh boy the stuff we post on social media.
If you are on LinkedIn, make sure your profile is up to date. Highlight your academic achievements, volunteer work, and leadership roles or any hobbies. If you’re active on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), ensure your posts reflect your interests and professionalism.
Be Prepared. The age-old saying, “Fortune favours the bold…and prepared” has never been truer. Keep up with global issues and trends in your field of study, check your application and be ready to travel (get your documents in order) so that in case you come through, you won’t start panicking and making mistakes.
Be Ready for Cultural Differences. If you secure a scholarship and travel abroad, you’re in for an eye-opening experience. But adjusting to a new culture can be both exciting and challenging.
- Food and Weather: Be prepared to try new dishes and adapt to different climates.
- Language Barriers: Even in English-speaking countries, accents and slang can be confusing at first. You can spend your whole life speaking English here in Uganda, only to realize that you cannot understand a native British English speaker.
- Social Norms: Things like personal space, greetings, and timekeeping vary from culture to culture. Take time to learn and respect them, you know how we Africans mess up with time, we even have an article, Is being late acceptable in Africa? About the concept of African time.
Scholarships are Competitive. Yeah, getting the scholarship is hard, competition is fierce and quite frankly, the number of applicants is always huge… but Ugandans have proven time and again that it’s achievable.
Success stories from Ugandans who have studied abroad on scholarships like MasterCard Foundation, Fulbright, and DAAD prove that it can be done. So, don’t let yourself be let down by the odds.
True, International scholarships offer life-changing opportunities, and true, they require hard work, realistic expectations, and thorough preparation, but then again such is life; hard, disappointing sometimes when expectations don’t come through, and takes some preparation. So, go ahead, dream big.
