The difference in studying in UK and Tanzania

Q: I understand that you have just graduated in Business Management from East London University in UK. What is the difference between studying abroad and here in the country?

A: Actually, there is a huge difference so to say. In London, the syllabus is more practical and theoretical where everything a student learns is applicable in the real world. In Tanzania, most syllabuses are more theoretical and sometimes may not even be applicable.

In the UK, syllabus and teaching methodology are designed to make a student understand subjects and not just cram for an impending examination or download material just to submit to lecturers.

Academically, students in the UK enjoy a health relationship with their lecturers and they can communicate any time without sinister or ulterior motives. It was my first experience seeing such a cordial relationship between students and lecturers and it made me enjoy my studies. Despite studies being difficult, it was fun as well.

Q: Why did you choose to study in London and not in Tanzania?

A: That is because I wanted to expand my horizon, acquire new knowledge and experiences which would aid my career growth.

I also wanted to see the country (UK) because I had been hearing so much about their cultural diversity, open mindedness, great transport infrastructure, fancy food and many more good things.

In London I met people from different backgrounds including from Tanzania. On top of that, international students are not treated like strangers, all feel respected and this was an important factor in my decision to study in London.

Add to the fact that British universities have far better reputation and pedigree than most back home thus it enhances prospects of advancing one’s career since chances of securing a job in a reputable organisation are raised.

A: For starters, lecturers abroad teach students with a passion which motivates a person to learn more in order to understand and not just pass exams.
In the UK, courses are taught widely with emphasis on understanding a subject.

On top of that, studying in the UK has made me an all-round graduate in my courses. I am proud of my lecturers who made it possible because I was not good in some courses before.

Q: You mean you were studying in a different University before joining the East London University?

A: Yes, I studied in one college here (name withheld) before I left for England. The lectures were not willing to help. For example, one day I was having difficulties in my economics, finance and Mathematics subjects, when I sought help from the lecturers, they bluntly told me to go to their homes at night!
Seriously!? This would not happen in the UK. The lecturers take serious what they do, they are committed and determined to teach. In fact, they completely changed me academically within a short period of my studies.

Q: What were the challenges in the course of your studies in London?

A: First of, is proper management of time. There are so many concepts and resources and sometimes a person may not now where to start because success starts by knowing how to plan your time.

This is especially so when a person is studying more than one module for the first time. Time difference can be a very big problem to some people. For example, at the beginning it was very hard to keep time. I used to oversleep almost every day.

Secondly, determining what and how much to read. In London, the lectures encourage you to study both theory and practical as much as possible but most students find it difficult to even absorb the lecturers’ notes and this was a serious problem to me.

Thirdly, being a reserved person, it was very hard for me to move around because I did not know where to start. My reserved personality was earlier misconstrued to mean that I am a rude and arrogant person but after one month or so I became at ease and started mingling with people from different backgrounds.

Fourthly, essay writing was different in the UK compared to my country, but through learning I was able to adapt in a few months. Doing assignment in groups was another challenge. It is good but sometimes every group member would give an excuse, so I would end up doing the group work alone.

Furthermore, not every student knew the English language well.Sometimes language barriers, especially with the Chinese students, were a very big problem. This for me was a challenge and a great experience.

Q: You are now looking for work here in the country, but many hold the opinion that having studied abroad, especially in the UK, you would be a job-creator instead of a job-seeker, what is your take on that?

A: It is true that many UK universities produce job-creators and not job-seekers. I did not worry about employment but when my father called me back home I had to drop all my plans. He had told me to come back because there were many opportunities but unfortunately things were different when I got here.

Plus we should always keep in mind having a degree and good results alone is not enough, one needs capital to be a job-creator.

Q: Unemployment at the moment, especially among the youth in the country, is a serious problem, with some prominent people labeling it a time-bomber. What is your advice?

A: I advise the government to create more job opportunities for the youth. The government should also make sure that the youth are given first priority when it comes to hiring. Every youth who has a good educational background should get a job.

Now there is one crazy notion that every person seeking employment in the public or private sector should have at least three to five years experience, this is awkward! How can a graduate from school, college or university have that kind of experience without working first?

Many graduates are aged between 22 and 24 years, where from would they get the three to five years experience? This is like telling people to start working while in their mothers’ wombs because that experience would come in handy once they become young adults.

This always makes me feel sad. Let us look at it this way, what would have been the case if our fathers and forefathers were asked for similar experience before they were employed, who would have had a job in the first place?

The fact of the matter is that experience matters very little, what matters most is dedication and performance. I am sure that there are millions of youth who have no experience but can perform better than those with experience. For example, in my free time I help people with their work online and these are people who are supposed to have all the experience in the world.

The government should develop new sectors for idle youths currently canvassing with their certificates looking for work. This should go in tandem with building young people’s entrepreneurial capacity and skills.

There should be deliberate plans that give priority to locals over foreigners because some companies have employed foreigners with similar qualifications as Tanzanians, and are well paid at that.

This is not good for the country but our new president seems to have carved a niched for doing things differently and for the better, hopefully he will tackle the matter successfully.

Q: So now , what are you future plans?

A: I plan to start a clothing line business because I love fashion and I have many ideas about fashion.

Secondly, I am thinking of opening an orphanage centre to help children all over the country because I feel very said when I see vulnerable children in the streets begging every day. As an educated Tanzanian, I have the noble duty to give back to the community.