This is a great way of gaining valuable work
experience in your field of study. Other institutions
in France require students to undergo a compulsory
internship as part of their studies.
5. How? What are your means? Are
you planning to apply for
scholarships? Does the University
or its partners offer scholarships?
Do you have personal savings? Or
is there a person or an
organization in your home
country that could sponsor you?
N.B: Always have a plan B, don’t
limit yourself with only one option
My main challenge, however, was with
accommodation. My initial accommodation was
not as stated in the contract I signed back home
(Ghana). I, therefore, had to look for a new one once
I got to Paris. After finding the accommodation,
another big issue was to find a guarantor who will
guarantee to pay my rent if ever I was unable to do
so.
This was quite difficult for a
Ghanaian student with no
relatives in the EU but i
found a way. If you happen
to be confronted with the
issue of a guarantor, note
that there are some
organizations that can help
you out and “Visale” is one
of such organizations.
What advice do you have
for students looking to
study abroad?
Getting support from
Campus France
Aside fulfilling your academic
or professional goals, you
should note that people you
meet today may constitute
your professional network
tomorrow. Therefore, it is an
additional advantage to know
people outside your country.
If you have chosen France as your
destination (or one of your
destinations), you should get in
touch with Campus France Ghana
in Accra or Kumasi.
Campus France is the French
Agency that promotes the French
educational system in other
countries. Ghana is one of the
countries where campus france
services are free . So it is better to
take advantage of this offer.
The agency will help you with the
application to the universities if
you have difficulties in doing so.
There is also a platform for
Campus France where you can
easily search for the course
you want to pursue and the
universities offering those courses.
PAGE 16
With Ghana's amabassador to France
What have been some ups &
downs of this study abroad period?
During my master’s studies, I had the
opportunity to do an apprenticeship
(alternance in French) for one year as Health,
Safety and Environment Officer in an
engineering consulting firm. In this position, I
represented my company in top companies in
France and I got a taste of the working
environment in France.
“The alternance” is a system where the student
will have to alternate between school and
work, for example 3 weeks at work and 1 week
in school.
Also, take advantage of the
environment you find yourself
in. If you happen to choose
France for example or any
other country where the
people speak adifferent
language, make sure you go
back home with the
additional language.
Students should take
advantage of Study abroad
opportunities because it
broadens your outlook &
prepare you for a multi-
cultural work environment