Struggles of Foreign University Students in Mauritius: A Journey to Pursue Education
This island nation has become a magnet for foreign students due to its strong economy and affordable tertiary institutions.
Mauritius-Mauritius, with its picturesque landscapes and thriving economy, is known for its allure as both Africa's wealthiest nation and a top-tier tourist destination, writes Naome Chisala.
This island nation has become a magnet for foreign students due to its strong economy and affordable tertiary institutions.
However, beneath this veneer of natural beauty and educational opportunity lies a labyrinth of immigration laws that have created significant obstacles for prospective foreign university students seeking to study in Mauritius.
Mauritian immigration laws dictate that foreign university students, upon acceptance into Mauritian institutions, must initiate the process of securing accommodation from their home country.
This seemingly straightforward requirement has proven to be a slow, costly, and exasperating ordeal for many students, particularly those without pre-existing connections in Mauritius, such as friends or family.
Chisomo, a university student from Malawi, shares her story of the frustrating process she faced when applying for accommodation in Mauritius.
"I was very excited when I received my offer letter to study for my Master's Degree," she recalls.
"But when I saw that I had to apply for accommodation from Malawi, it didn't make sense to me, as foreign students typically look for accommodation upon arrival."
Despite her initial doubts, Chisomo sent her university the required documents, costing her nearly 155,000 Malawian Kwacha (approximately US$137.41).
When her university later requested an accommodation letter from a Mauritian landlord, along with the landlord's ID and utility bills, Chisomo's search for accommodation became a challenging ordeal.
Her journey led to countless attempts to connect with landlords, some of whom were unresponsive, uncooperative, or even engaged in fraudulent activities.
It was only through the help of a classmate, who shared a list of contacts, that Chisomo eventually secured accommodation in late May 2023, after much persistence and expenditure.
Michelle's experience was even more disheartening. Despite successfully studying in Mauritius for her undergraduate degree, her second attempt to pursue a postgraduate degree came to a halt.
Michelle's wait for a student visa became a frustrating two-month ordeal, during which she continued to pay rent.
Her university eventually informed her that the immigration office was overloaded with paperwork, and student visas could not be processed due to incomplete documentation.
This led to her deferring her studies to the October intake, causing her significant financial loss and disappointment.
Nevertheless, there are stories of foreign students who navigated this challenging process successfully. Jacques and Marie from Madagascar found opportunities in Mauritius for reasons like political stability, a safe environment, affordable universities, and better-quality education.
Their smoother journey was facilitated by agencies and family connections, allowing them to secure accommodation without the arduous struggles faced by some of their fellow students.
Despite these difficulties, many foreign students still see Mauritius as a gateway to better opportunities.
Jacques and Marie, like Chisomo and Michelle, harbour dreams of building a future beyond their homeland's constraints, and Mauritius offers a promising path forward.