You don’t just go to university to study for your future career. You go to meet new people, expand your horizons and experience different perspectives. At North-West University in South Africa, a multicultural experience is the foundation of the student experience – and that is why so many students from around the world choose to study at NWU.
In addition to attracting a huge diversity of students from South Africa (the country is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse in Africa), NWU also counts almost 1,000 international students from more than 50 countries in the overall student population.
But what is it like to study at NWU, a place where cultures meet and exchange ideas? In this article, you’ll hear from a student and a faculty member at NWU about their experiences. Plus, you’ll get to read reviews from real students at NWU, provided by EDUopinions!
What’s It Like to Study at NWU?
Ryan du Toit has completed all of his higher education at NWU, across two Bachelor’s degrees (in Management Accountancy and Psychology), a Master’s and, currently, a PhD.
“The NWU as a higher education institute has helped me form the basis for the future successes of not just my professional life but has also helped shape me into a responsible young adult,” he says.
The university embraces values including diversity, inclusivity, and accountability, and these apply to all academic departments and degree programmes. Furthermore, the university embraces four languages: English, Afrikaans, Sesotho, and Setswana, reflecting the diversity of the student body.
“Over the past 10 years, I have had the opportunity to be a proud student of the NWU and I have never felt that I was incapable of success. This for me is mainly attributed to the excellent support offered by NWU staff, but also the NWU’s vibrant student environment that also places emphasis on a crucial social aspect to become well-rounded world citizens,” he explains.
Dr Ankit Katrodia has had a similar experience at NWU – though as a faculty member. Originally from India, he is now an associate professor in marketing at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at NWU.
Before accepting a position at NWU, Ankit was a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa. After seeing an advertisement for a lecturer role at NWU, Ankit knew it was an excellent opportunity.
“I remember North-West University has a respectable brand value and impressive ranking locally and globally,” he recalls.
South Africa is known as the ‘Rainbow Nation’ for its wide variety of cultural traditions and ethnicities, and Ankit says that integrating into life on campus in Mahikeng was seamless.
“When I was in Durban, one of my friends, who lived most of his life in Mahikeng, always told me that being an Indian in Mahikeng is the best place. You will never regret or miss your local food, lifestyle, and culture there.”
“The local community also helped me to settle down, and find a beautiful house, which made me feel at home,” Ankit adds.
Student Review of NWU
I attended the North-West University, and while it was a great experience, I found the language dynamics challenging. Many classes were taught in Afrikaans, with simultaneous translation into English. While I appreciated the effort to cater to both language groups, it sometimes felt like I was getting a watered-down version of the material. Adjusting to this unique teaching style took time, but the supportive community and beautiful campus made it worthwhile. Overall, NWU offers a unique and enriching experience, but be prepared for a linguistic adventure!
Student Review of NWU
North-West University (NWU) is a reputable institution with a strong academic curriculum, offering a range of courses across multiple disciplines. For students unfamiliar with Afrikaans and Tswana, adjusting to the language barrier can pose challenges in communication and engagement with peers and faculty. However, the university provides resources and support services for non-native speakers to help ease the transition.
The fast-paced curriculum may require some adjustment, especially for those new to the university’s academic expectations. Students should expect a rigorous academic experience with a need for consistent study habits and time management. Overall, while there may be initial challenges in adjusting to the linguistic and academic environment, NWU offers a supportive atmosphere for growth and success.
Study Abroad ExperiencE
During his PhD programme, Ryan had the opportunity to travel to Belgium as a transfer student for a semester. NWU has partnerships with a number of institutions around the world, including universities in Europe, and consistently searches for new partnerships.
Ryan says that his study abroad experience complemented his studies at NWU. He spent one semester at Hogeschool PXL, a University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Hasselt, Belgium.
“Through this opportunity, I have learned the importance of collaboration and that there are endless opportunities and challenges that the academic environment should embrace and need to address,” he notes.
“The collective power of collaboration across borders strengthens our ability to bring forth positive change in the world.”
Ankit explains that while studying abroad can be a challenging prospect for students, particularly those who are fresh into their university degree, it offers plenty of rewards.
“Discipline is sometimes lacking in South African students when they go overseas, and time management is crucial,” he notes. “They need to understand the importance of time management and discipline if they want to study abroad.”
Similarly, for students who wish to study at NWU, they should be aware of the university’s high academic reputation. North-West University ranks among the top ten universities in Africa, ranking higher than larger universities including the University of South Africa.
“They must learn how to write papers and conduct research to become successful academicians. Doors are open for those who are capable and qualified,” adds Ankit.
While in Belgium, Ryan didn’t tire of recommending NWU to his classmates, largely because of the valuable student experience.
“I always advocated for the NWU based on the friendly and safe environment, the unique teaching and learning practices of the NWU (which is truly exceptional), and that it is a place where you get to learn so much of yourself while being part of all the unique student life activities that the NWU provides,” he says.
Student Review of NWU
Pukke is a very good campus, the lecturers and students are very welcoming. I like the fact that it is a multi-racial and multi-lingual university. Everyone’s culture is important and taken into consideration, this makes studying fun.
Conclusion
For Ryan, the chance to study at a diverse institution and experience life abroad made his study experience at North-West University even better. And his advice for students thinking about studying abroad?
It would be the best thing you can ever allow yourself to do,” he says.
“The exposure to new cultures, way of doing things, and adaption to new academic environments changes your perspective of life. There is never something to be scared of and you quickly learn how agile and flexible we are when we force ourselves out of our comfort zones.”
Convinced that studying abroad is the right choice for you? Make sure to read our blog on the six mistakes students make when applying for international universities.
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