₦airaland Forum

OdogwuEkeke:
Please what is the average upkeep budget (excluding rent) in rands for a month as a single international student?

Hi Odogwu,

I see that you are trying very hard to make an informed decision on your educational plans.

Well to answer your question, your budget depends solely on the type of lifestyle you maintain and the city you live in. Besides accomodation, you should be fine with 2000 ZAR if you dont eat out all the time. If you are a very prudent person, maybe 1k will do, but of course you will do a lot of cooking in this case.

Note that this is not inclusive of your accomodation.

1. If learning and getting quality education is your priority, Stellenbosch University wins it. If you are also concerned about the reputation of the university, Stellenbosch is well respected globally.

2. If you have the funds to sponsor yourself through grad school or if you have a budget constraint, I'd advise you to choose Stellenbosch.

3. If you plan to work part-time to fund your studies, go for Teeside Uni.

4. If you are considering to work after graduation, UK now offers postgraduate study visa depending on the number of years spent in grad school.

5. If you are looking for a graduate school with a vast cultural diversity, Stellenhosch is the place to be.

For me, I'll take UCT and Stellenbosch 100 times over most of the schools in the UK. If you are studying a research masters, you will most likely get a grant that will cover your tuition fee at worst case. If you are lucky to work under a reputable supervisor, you may get enough grant that covers your living cost.

However if your survival depends on getting a part-time job, then back your bags and head to the UK.

Regards.

OdogwuEkeke:
Got admission into a University of Teesside in the Uk but University of Stellenbosch is ranked higher globally that this Uni plus not as expensive. I need wise counsel Bayi !!!

If the AFN launches an immediate appeal against the result of her test, she may be allowed to participate in today's 100m semi-final race, pending the time a new test is been carried out.

TobyTreasure:
UEL= 7K
GREENWICH= 3K
NORTHUMBRIA = 2K

I think Northumbria's deposit is now 4k.

Hit me up if you have any questions regarding Stellenbosch Uni.

NB: I am unable to respond to private messages, so you may just ask your questions here.

OdogwuEkeke:
Please is anyone applying to the University of Stellenbosch?

Make we relate. Thanks

otunbanimi:
Oh thanks.

Can you link me up with someone there that I can ask more questions please?

The person I know is not on nairaland.

otunbanimi:
Good day,

Anyone gotten offer from Northumbria University or familiar with the school?

Kindly advice a brother on useful info about work and living in Newcastle.

Thanks.

@Justwise

Northumbria is cool. I also understand that there are hustle jobs for students there.

femmoy:
I want to know where I can see Naija foods,drinks(beer) on a local level and lastly where can I exchange Naira to rands in Capetown and the conversation rate.
Swift response will be appreciated.

Thanks.

If you are in Capetown, there is a nice naija restaurant in Mowbray. They also have a pub where beer is being sold as well.

If you have a Naira Mastercard, you may be lucky to withdraw Rands from some ATM. Although, It's quite expensive to do so.

OdogwuEkeke:
Stellenbosch University

VS

Witwatersrand University


Please which is better?

Academically, Wits is better ranked than Stellies. However, they both have their strength in terms of faculty and departmental reputation.

hammed71:
Going back home is not a viable option

He should keep doing menial jobs right?

It's quite unfortunate that I stumbled on this post very late (almost 2 years after). However, I am sure that the OP must have made a good decision; and I would appreciate if he could let us know what his final decision was.

That being said, there is a big illusion down here regarding the west. Many people (read Nigerians) think it's all rosy out there and would rather do a menial job with a PhD qualification in Germany or Canada than to make that bold decision of coming back home. They think it's your village people at work when you eventually decide to come home. Pathetic!

I do not know what name to call such a low self esteem mentality, and I always wonder how we have settled to live with such a low, weak, and timid mentality. Listen, there is an hidden hierarchy of preference in the west, and unfortunately, Africa is last on the scale with Nigeria sitting rock bottom on the list.

Unless you are an IT guru, extremely brilliant and exceptional, your chances of doing anything professional in the west is less than 10%. Except otherwise, you have an EU/US passport. Therefore, in most cases, the best option is to come back home, try your hands on a couple of things, and if it doesnt work, you can then consider going back to europe or any other location of choice.

The crux of my argument is that coming home is a viable option, and if there's any one else in this kind of situation, do not let anyone, be it your family member or friends, force or convince you into living an unfulfilled life that you will later regret, in the name of staying abroad.

My 2 cents!

5 Cape Town Or Durban which would you prefer? - For people in South Africa.

Cheers[/quote]Whatever choice you make, ensure that Capetown is your final destination. You will love it. It's quite expensive tho.

Jilingori:
Can anybody helpe recover my insurance money I paid to mumentum since 2017 I had my Visa denied and the guy who halped me pay has refused to help me retrieve the monwy

It's very possible to get a refund from Momentum. I have done so a couple of times but you must do so within 30days of your visa denial.

zhike:
My friend let me correct you.

There is no village in South Africa that can have load shedding for 4 hours everyday . This statement is not correct. Load shedding only comes if some of Eskom power station are down.
To resolve this issue SA govt build Medupi and Kusile power stations.

Lol. Would you like to tell me more about Medupi and Kusile?

Some villages in South Africa are not even connected to the national grid. Check the villages in Mpumalanga.

TMKsouth:
Townships?

Yeah. Something like that.

While I agree with you that South Africa is way ahead of Nigeria, I think some of the points you raised to support your claim are quite exaggerated.

1. Recently (Although not very recently), south africa's power generation and distribution company, ESKOM have been facing a lot of challenges in the electricity sector. Hence, it's not business as usual anymore as some province now experience up to 4 hours of load shedding everyday.

2. There are metered taxis in south africa. They also refer to those buses as taxi sometimes.

3. I have not seen anyone hawk on the street but there are open markets everywhere.

4. They have a name for their villages, unfortunately I cant remember now. Trust me, some of those villages dont have light and good roads.

5. There are police check points but not as common as what we see on our roads here.

6. The weather can be very cold during winter nights. Some areas get to -2°c in the night.

The truth is that SA have their own issues, and they are very serious ones.

That being said, I really envy a lot of things about SA and sometimes I wonder how unlucky they are to be classified as a part of Africa.

1. The university system: They have the best universities in Africa. They have 2 schools in the top 300 in the world. At a time (2015/2016), UCT was among the first 100 universities in the world.

2. I also love everything about Capetown. From the airport down to the city, there are only a few cities in the world that can match the mother city.

3. If you are a fashion freak, there's literally a store for every designer brand you can think of.

fidelium7:
Hello everyone, please anyone with useful info on a University in South Africa accepting application into undergraduate program right now?
Thanks

No university is accepting undergraduate application for now. You may have to wait until May before another application window opens.

LifeOfOwen:
anyone know where i can get a shared apartment in johannesburg? i heard it’s much cheaper than staying alone. Plus i need to get accommodating details for the visa. Please if you have any info, kindly share it with me

What type of visa are you applying for?

krumking:
I don't have anyone in south Africa who can help with the payment of the medical insurance, @Justt how did you do yours

You can pay with your naira Mastercard from Nigeria.

Umolosam:
Please I need urgent clarification.I was to Travel for a conference in Johannesburg March but due to covid, I couldn't. The conference is billed to hold next month, my passport got expired but my visa validity is ti next year March. I have gotten a new passport. Can I travel with the visa?

Yes, you can. Make sure you travel with both passport. Safe trip.

Beautifully written and well articulated thread. I am sure you are now a frequent traveller to remember all these details. I was actually playing the scenes in my head as I read through and everything you have described is the exact way it is except that not everyone will get a nice travel companion.

Well done!!

Bossmanly:
I applied for student visa since January. Please what do you suggest I do? I have sent mail consecutively.

Write the international office in your school and explain your situation to them. They will likely contact the embassy on your behalf.

SirKennie13:
Hello Guys!!!

Does anyone here have idea of how much is the cheapest Covid-19 test in private Lab in Nigeria preferably Lag or nearby state?? Note, this is from someone coming back to Nigeria. Thanks

Lagos is 50,900
Outside Lagos is 39500

adespecial:
Please how do we go about getting proof of accommodation for study visa? Can a hotel reservation do justice to it or we pay for an apartment ahead to get the proof

The safest thing for you to do is to search for cheap apartments around your university, talk to the owners/agent in charge, pay the required deposit (but let them know your rent will start counting when you arrive).

This is a much safer way to go should in case they try to verify your proof of accomodation.

Financially, your budget is fine. You may just need an extra 500k to support accomodation and living expenses. Otherwise, your tuition is sorted with what you have.

If you are particular about the University of Capetown, visit their webpage www.uct.ac.za and click on the admission/prospective student link for further information.

You basically do not need to evaluate your certificate or write any english test. The admission direction for UCT is simple and straight forward.

Good luck.

Baloranking:
Good evening house, please what are the processes for securing masters degree of engineering in university of Capetown, I have a budget of 2mil.

What are the steps

No...dont come into SA for now. Nigeria seems to be a little safer for now.

WordFamous:
Hi guys, this forum has been so silent. Has anyone gotten visas or their passports this week? Anyone?

Also, what's the situation in SA now. Is it advisable to travel to SA, say for vacation if granted visa?

Let's keep the conversations flowing people...

If you have a multiple entry visa then you may just hope that the corona pandemic ends soon. Else its technically a no use visa.

WordFamous:
Ok so I and my wife applied for SA Tourist visa on the 10th of March and we got our passports back with visas on the 18th.

Funny thing is SA has banned all local and international flights in and out of the Republic.

This has got to be one big joke, right?

Baba how I fit reach you on email.

Highwave:
Day 119

Guys sorry for not updating in a while.. Man has been busy searching for a job grin! He no easy

Plus why Manchester dey molest LASK naah! Haba cool

So back to my story, So it took me about two (2) days to pack everything, bought different bags they weren't big enough. Kai! Local man waste money for bag ehn and the i finally booked online to travel four (4) later a day to my mum's birthday. She already told me to travel after her birthday but you know i was doing strong head. i booked on a Friday to travel on Monday. The whole day i didn't get a reply from the airline, well i thought i still had two (2) more days before travel date, Saturday came nothing, Sunday! obviously they don't work. So on Monday i called them and asked but unfortunately, there was public holiday for two days. I sha had to stay for the birthday i didn't want to stay plus one extra day at home.
Then i went to the office very early to clarify why i wasn't booked to travel 2 days ago and i was told they didn't get my payment on time so it could not be booked. i wish i could share pictures of the food and all but my brain wasn't booting because i was so tired to remember i had a phone self.

Is there anyone in Stellenbosch University here.

Hi Kachi,

Good afternoon. Since you have a registered business, please write a letter of self introduction on your business letterhead. Also submit your CAC as proof of ownership and possibly tax certificate if you have.


Here are some of the details to include in your self introductory letter;

- Start with your name and passport number, age and nationality in the 1st paragraph.

- In the next paragraph, state what you do and your reason for wanting to visit the republic.

- In the last paragraph, assure them that you will be law abiding and will leave the republic at the expiry of your visa.

From what you have said, your brother is a citizen of South Africa so I do not think there should be any issue(s) with your application.

Good luck.

kachiz:
Hi Guys,

I am trying to apply for a visiting visa to see my brother and spend 1 Month in SA.

I am a freelance Web designer and I offer my services on an American Freelance website, Upwork.

I have gotten the following documents ready from him;
-letter of invitation
-Proof of residence in SA (utility bill)
-6 months SA bank statement
-SA passport for proof of identity (All certified)

Then for me;
-3 months bank statement of 1.4M
-CAC business name registration dated ( registered November 2019)
-Plus the other documents listed on the vfs website

I do not have a letter from my employer since I work freelance. What can I do about this?

I have a USD domiciliary account that I receive funds with for my work, do I need to attach the account statement for my domiciliary to support my income flow and if I do, do I need to explain this in detail in the introduction letter?

Lastly, I would appreciate it if someone can help me with a sample of an introduction letter.

Many thanks!

cc
Geenosko
Mimicle101
Mroyato
Samtol4
TYPOP

geekybabe:
Thanks a lot for these pointers...

Possible areas would be Century city or Milnerton. Preferably an apartment that is ensuite, no sharing.

Transportation should not be an issue.. Seems its relatively fair. I may send a message privately if its ok by you..

An ensuite apartment will be more expensive for sure. Something in the range of R10k should do. I think @slickrule stays around century city. He will be more helpful and resourceful regarding that.

Please note that the taxis that I mentioned earlier are the regular commercial bus thing. Metro and private taxis are quite expensive, same as metered taxis.