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The simple answer to your question is plain ignorance.Many Africans do not have a full picture of Europe. Our image of Europe is based on what we see on TV, what we learned in schools and NGO staff and workers from developed nations who work in Africa.They are much more one might add but they all come down to a few things.Lack of a full picture of life in Europe. Busy lives, harsh winter weather, work conditions, basic necessities and how much they cost.Eurocentric education. Francophone countries are the worst. A student finishing up high school in Cote d’Ivoire might graduate knowing more about Paris ( the capital of France) than Abidjan ( his nation’s capital).Fellow Africans who live in Europe do not help to educate their fellow Africans back home. The “show off” game is very big and very upsetting. This applies to those who have made it and those who are struggling to make ends meet.African governments failing to inspire their citizens for their future in the country.Imagine everytime your president gets sick, they go to London or Paris. There is no illness that South Africa or Mauritius won’t heal. On taxpayers money, they go to Europe in presidential private jets.Imagine when you see that all the politicians’ children and those from the richest families send their kids to Europe or the US.In the end, if you are unemployed, you have nothing to lose anyway. It is the sad reality but it is the truth.The European Football effects.On TV, we follow football. English Premier League is the most watched league in Africa. We watch games and keep up with players' salaries, how much they are getting bought by teams, and so on. When we hear that a player earns $100,000.00 a week, we just assume that we will be rich as soon as we land in Europe.Game Screening ads this weekend between Arsenal and Manchester City in Kigali, Rwanda.This is why many of West Africans crossing the shores spent between $ 3, 000-$10,000 trying to make it to Europe at all cost. This money could have been used to start a small/medium business in their home countries. Instead, they sell all their belongings based on fantasy dreams and overpaid soccer players.The aid industry in Africa.Many NGO staff who work in Africa lives like kings and queens. A big number of them earn western salaries while living in Africa. Imagine earning close to a six-figure salary and a bunch of bonuses while working in a developing nation. You really live a decent lifestyle in Africa. Big mansions, big cars, ravish vacations to luxuries hotel, you name it. The white savior mentality, etc. All in the name of “helping” the poor. All they do is to enrich themselves.Charities in Africa. How does Aid hurt Africans? by Didier Champion on Africa is HomeAn average African assumes that they made all that money in their home countries before coming to Africa. The “LG ( Life is Good in Europe) mentality is very big.For young people whose education systems have failed with record high unemployment rates, their eyes are faced towards Europe. Those folks are ambitious and want to make the best out of their lives. However, their governments and leaders have failed them big time.Fellow Africans Abroad does not help.To salt to the injury, those of us (their fellow Africans) who come to Europe do not give a full view of what life in Europe is. We like to show off big time. Our friends back home who follow us on Instagram, Facebook and elsewhere, get the idea that we have made it over there when in reality many are faking it.Many Africans might be struggling to make ends meet. However, when our friends back home ask us the question: “how is life in Europe?”; many Africans will just lie. A fellow African might be homeless in Paris, but they will send their pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower on a borrowed smartphone, just to show off.In the end, you end up with fellow Africans embarking on desperate journeys of shame and mediocrity. Some countries in Africa are very well-developed, but in our minds, any country in Europe is all milk and honey.Many of those folks don’t know the difference between Portugal and Germany, Hungary and Italy, France and Latvia, Europe is Europe and that’s all that matters. Given a choice, an African will go to Hungary before Botswana or Mauritius. They just have no idea of the economics of other African countries. The Europe they see on TV based on football, and a few other things are all milk and honey.Those folks might hear that the minimum wage is $15 an hour. They would convert into local currencies and get excited about the money. They might not know that the monthly rent of a one bedroom apartment might be $ 1,000.00-$1,500.00. Without even thinking about work visas and other legal pathways, they start dreaming and fantasizing about Europe. For those who have not traveled to other countries, the concept of “cost of living” is very hard to grasp.So much more examples to add but hope this is a good summary for you.How to help.Access to information about real life in Europe can help.We can only reverse this trend by educating our fellow Africans. At least, teach them how things work in Europe ( the good and the bad). Learn about other African countries who are doing well and what they have done to get there.People can make their countries’ economic situations better instead of dreaming about the fantasy Europe. For those who move there illegally, their dreams turn into nightmares. See the story below and learn more.I sold all I had to go to Europe - now I'm home, and brokeMy Personal StoryA few months ago, a good friend of mine from West Africa reached out to me. David is a very good friend of mine. When I moved to Ghana for my days in research. I had no idea of what Ghana was all about. Throughout my days there, he helped me to navigate through lots of things in Ghana. Without him, I would have been lost. He would translate for me, teach me how things work in Ghana, etc.When the vehicle at the research center was not available, he would help my team to find an alternative. David is a very smart and ambitious guy. We are still best friend, 3 years after I finished my work there. David has an MBA in finance, from a local university in Ghana. He teaches business and entrepreneurship in high school. In addition, he has a taxi business to take people from places to places. When I was in Ghana, he was kinda like my private driver for personal leisure trips and a tour guide.He took me to the airport multiple times. By the time, I left Ghana. We had become really good friends. A couple of times, he expressed his interests to advance his studies in the US. However, prior to meeting him, he had applied so many times at the US Embassy in Accra ( Ghana) that they could not even give him a student visa.After 3 times of getting rejected, the embassy gets overwhelmed and you get blacklisted. I assume he lost lots of money on application fees and travel to Accra. They are not refundable and three times require some dedication.At the time, I initially thought I could help him navigate through grad school application to some US universities. Help him study for GRE and do better to make his dreams come true. After all, I moved to the US with a full scholarship in ‘08. However, the US was not an option for him at all. At the time, I did not know that much about European education, so I was of no help.Fast forward 3 years later, I stayed in touch with David. This summer, I got the following message. It was very unusual for David. We talk about anything, from women, money, investment, personal development, and so on. The message was as follows.Sometimes I get confused about what to do with my life... I know I want to be successful.. I work hard every day to become financially independent.. But I don't know why.. I don't appreciate my effort here ( Ghana) but keep thinking of having plans to travel to Europe.. Any advice?Knowing David, I knew I had to move on and respond fast. He is a very determined guy. Really smart and a true hustler. Prior to sending this message, he told me that now he had switched his priorities. His business has been doing very well and had been saving all the monies he made from our research team, and elsewhere. He had saved between $5,000.00—$7, 000.00. This is a lot of money in Ghana.David is really smart. On this issue, he was just misinformed. As far as moving to Europe, just like many fellow Africans, he was quite naive and ignorant too. I asked of his plans to come to Europe. Truth to be told, he had no plan at all. He had saved all that money to make it to Europe at all cost.In his words, he just wanted to come to Europe and hustle from there. I have been working in Germany for 2 years now, so I knew it was time to help him explain all the procedures and what is needed to come to study or work in Europe.Initially, his plan sounded like those of who embarked to the Mediterranean journey. So, I started explaining how Europe works from A to Z.As you know, Finding your niche and success is not an overnight success. It takes so much time, effort and determination, which I know that you have from my encounter with you in Ghana.Now that brings me to the last part of your question. Where and how to be successful?Deciding to travel to Europe, US, and other developed world is a good idea. However, you really have to think hard about it. The key to any question is how to live and adjust there?What are you going to do and do you have the necessary requirements to do that?Initially, David responded.I know I have what it takes to hustle there. My only concern is how to get there. I have enough money and can get up to $10K if I sold my 2 cars.At this point, I felt obligated to help my best friend out. Give him a full picture of legal versus illegal migration, student and work visas in Europe, the best way to achieve his desired wish and goals, and the consequences of moving to Europe, illegally.This last question is the most important of all. How to get there?Life in Europe or the US is really hard. You can struggle and survive if you have something to do. But if you don't, you will live miserably here. I meet so many Africans in Europe who cannot even find a one-way ticket back home because they came here and overstayed their visa.But now, they cannot find work or don't have other means to make a decent living, so they end up in the streets. Lying to their families and friends back home. But in reality, they are struggling to make ends meet, living much more miserable lives than what they were living in Africa.Then our conversation went very real about Life in Europe. I felt guilty because David is my best friend in real life and on any social media. I felt like my post about my travels had portrayed a “lavish” lifestyle of milk and honey. When in reality, it is far from that. Like my best friend, I gave him both sides of the story.One of the big misconceptions is that once you make it to Europe, you can hustle. But it is not true. You can hustle if you have the right legal paperwork such as work visa and permits to work.The EU have tightened up their rule and regulations so nobody can work without a work visa. This is very different from our situations back home. Here any employer has to get your work visa before employing you. Once you don't have it, nobody can employ you on the job market. You are simply illegal and you are viewed as a criminal. It is very dehumanizing, to be honest.The Africans I have met in Spain or France, with no papers, are not lazy. They come here with dreams and aspirations. But the complicated part is that they cannot get legal paperwork to work because they came via inappropriate channels.If you can find a good way to come to Europe legally, that would be awesome.David responded.I appreciate the honesty bro!! That's the beginning of my problems.. How does one get the necessary legal paperwork and visa permits in order to be able to get the opportunities.. to realize one’s dreamsHonestly, I have enough savings and investment I made just to make this dream a reality.. I just want my daughter to have a better life and experience than I have growing up..That last sentence hit me hard. We all want the best for our families. David is just as ambitious as me ( if not more). Heck, he even has more net worth than me. Do I have $10K laying around? Nope. Back in Ghana, David does not rent. He lives in his big brother house. He has his own place. I used to visit him on weekends and watch premier league games with him.On paper, he is even way richer than many fellow Americans. How many percentages of Americans who have $5K cash in savings, laying around. Ready to use for any emergency. Not that many. We just use credit cards for everything.Back to the story. I continue to explain how he could make it to Europe, legally. I don’t believe in caging people in one location. The universe knows I am a nomad myself. I have lived in 4 countries for the past 10 years. Not just visiting, but actually working and living. I am all about the free movement of people as long as one abides by local immigration rules and regulations. The outcomes are better that way.Below is my solid advice to David.One way to do that is applying to a university in Europe. If you already have a bachelors degree, apply for a master's program. Universities in Europe are not as expensive as those in the US. But the living expenses are really high though. Some might even offer you scholarships once you get admitted. Come here as a student, go to school here and FINISH your degree. Then, apply for a work visa after your education. It is the most realistic way I know. It is not easy but it can be done.But understand that the grass is not greener in Europe too. Life is quite tough too. You will have some challenging times and struggle as well. But whatever you do, take your time. Do your research. Analyze your plans. Don't rely on what your friend's friends told you or what you have heard from people. I have been in these countries for a while, so I know more than I can tell you in a Facebook post.Our conversations went on for a while. Talking, texting, through multiple platforms. Whatsapp, facebook, you name it.After two weeks, David himself sent me this link about those fellow Africans who have been hustling in Europe. This is when I knew my conversations had been very productive. I would be lying if I told you that I did not breath some fresh air of relief. My social media posts almost got my best friend in the wrong direction.Here is the message David sent me with the link.I sold all I had to go to Europe - now I'm home, and brokeHe had been researching more about this topic and had a good understanding of migration to Europe. David finally told me;All the glitters are not gold.Thank God we had people like you to provide good and informative advice.Some of us would have made similar mistakes.A lot of lessons to be learned.Their stories were very pathetic bro.My response to David.In the end, knowledge is power.It is only with enough information that you can make well-informed decisions about your life and future. I myself am living in the West, but I would not lie to anybody about the shiny objects with darkness inside.In the end, David changed his mind and decided to invest his savings into his 3rd taxi car. He lives nearby a research center where lots of researchers come to work. Many of my American and European colleagues still work and travel there. Whenever they are about to come, or new researchers, I recommend David for their transportation needs, and intro to culture and how things work in Ghana.David has been balling for a while now. We are still in touch and can’t express my gratitude that with enough information, he made up his mind to stay in Ghana.What angers me is that there are many folks like David, who are really smart and have been sold the wrong dream. A nightmare of success in other people’s lands. The fact that guys like David who are very successful ( in their home countries) see their future in the West is a big problem.This is where African leaders and governments are making big mistakes. They have failed to inspire their young millennials. David is a little older than me but he is still hella young, ambitious, and energetic. We have gone back and forth about the problems in his community, from corruption and unpatriotic leaders, youth unemployment rates, and a multitude of African issues, etc.He loves Ghana very much, but his definition of success had been shaped by going abroad to hustle. Until recently, It might have been the case.I work in Germany today. I don’t kid myself about my “success”. Real success is what you have earned and built in your home country. Whatever country you are most connected with, by heritage or other personal connections. For me, that country is Rwanda, my Wakanda. Whatever I have in the West is very temporary. What I have and build in Rwanda is permanent. It will be there forever and ever.I am a visitor in these countries and that’s about it.Rwanda, my home and pride. This is Africa..Hope this helps.David’s real name was changed for privacy reasons.Permission was granted to publish our private conversations.Didier ChampionEdit ( 11/24/2018)It has been brought to my attention that more Africans migrate to other African countries if we look at the data and facts from the UNHCR.Amolo Ng'weno expressed it well. Poorer countries host most of the forcibly displaced, report showsThere are far more Africans who migrate to African countries than who try the perilous route to Europe.This UNHCR report indicated that of all countries, Turkey sheltered the greatest number of refugees, hosting 2.8 million by mid-2016. It was followed by Pakistan (1.6 million), Lebanon (1 million), Iran (978,000), Ethiopia (742,700), Jordan (691,800), Kenya (523,500), Uganda (512,600), Germany (478,600) and Chad(386,100).Learn more at Africa is Home.

on the talk page.A gap year, also known as a sabbatical year, is typically a year-long break before or after college/university during which students engage in various educational and developmental activities, such as travel or some type of regular work. Students who take gap years typically achieve a growth in maturity and are better prepared to benefit from higher education or decide the form of education they wish to pursue.Gap years usually occur between high school and university; or after graduating from university and before entry into graduate school. They can also be during your senior year in high school.These students might take advanced courses in math or language studies, learn a trade, study art, volunteer, travel, take internships, play sports, or get involved in cultural exchanges. Studies indicate that students who take a gap year perform better academically than those who do not.Many parents worry that their children will defer continuation of their education.HistoryBy countryAustralia and New ZealandAustralians and New Zealanders have a tradition of travelling overseas independently at a young age.In New Zealand this is known as "doing an OE" (Overseas experience). Sometimes this is limited to one year, but at times Australians and New Zealanders will remain overseas for longer, many working short-term in service industry jobs to fund their travels. Europe and Asia are popular destinations for Gap Year travels.In Australia, exchange programs and youth benefits provide many opportunities for young people to gain experience through travel in a gap year. The Gap Year Association provided approximately four million dollars in 2016 in the form of scholarships and need based grants.BelgiumThe Time Credit system in Belgium entitles employees of one year per lifetime of absence from their job, in order to prevent burn-out and to provide an opportunity to pursue other important things in life.DenmarkIn Denmark during the late 1990s the percentage of students continuing their education directly after high school was down to 25%. Along with this drop there was a rise in the number of students enrolling and graduating within ten years of finishing high school.Data also shows that women in Denmark take more gap years than men.In 2018, a record low of 15% of that year's high school graduates had chosen to continue their education directly after graduation.Denmark has sought to limit the number of students who take a year out, penalizing students who delay their education to travel abroad or work full-time.In 2006, it was announced that fewer students than before had taken a year out.In April 2009, the Danish government proposed a new law which gives a bonus to students who refrain from a year out.GhanaIn Ghana, most senior high school leavers have a year out from August to the August of the following year, although this is not mandatory.IsraelIn Israel, it is customary for young adults who have completed their mandatory military service to engage in backpacker tourism abroad in groups before starting university or full-time workIsrael has also become a popular gap year travel destination for thousands of young Jewish adults from abroad each year.There are over 10,000 participants in the Masa Israel Journey gap year annually.JapanThe employment practice known as simultaneous recruiting of new graduates matches students with jobs before graduation, meaning sabbaticals are highly unusual in Japan.While unusual, gap years in Japan are not completely unheard of. Some students will take a gap year or two to readjust or reassess their career path or school of choice if not accepted into the school they had originally hoped for.NigeriaWhile waiting for their JAMB result after secondary school, Nigerian youths usually learn a trade or skill, or enroll for another academic program (remedial, pre-degree, JUPEB, A-levels, IJMB, etc.) to increase their chances of getting into a university.RomaniaIn Romania, after finishing high school, for some universities an admission exam is required. People who do not succeed in passing sometimes take a gap year to study, usually passing in theirThis is common in medicine and engineering.[citation needed]Similar to the way that some students travel during a gap year, many Romanian students instead study abroad and in recent years the number of students who choose to do this has been growing.[24]South AfricaIn the Republic of South Africa, taking a year off is common for those in more affluent classes.[citation needed]School leavers often travel abroad to gain life experience.[citation needed]It is not uncommon for gap year students to travel to Cape Town for life experience.[citation needed]Common volunteer opportunities include working in animal welfare or tree planting.[citation needed]United KingdomIn the United Kingdom, the practice of taking a gap year – seen as an interim period of 7 or 8 months between completing secondary education and starting university – began to develop in the 1970s. The period was seen as a time for gaining life experience through travel or volunteering. Universities appear to welcome post-gap-year applicants on the same basis as those going straight to university from previous education.[citation needed]The number of students aged 18 opting to defer their university place in order to take a gap year reached a peak of 21,020 in 2008.[25]This figure crashed to 7,320 in 2011[25]– a year before the introduction of greatly increased tuition fees by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government. Deferrals in 2016[25]were near their peak again although Year Out Group states its members now take more bookings from students outside the UK. Shorter gap style experiences (volunteering, expeditions, courses and work placements) are gaining in popularity, as they can be taken without the need to take a full year out of study or workUnited StatesIn the United States, the practice of taking a "year off" remains the exception, but is gaining in popularity.[26]Parents are starting to encourage their high school graduates to take a gap year to focus on service opportunities.[27]Schools are also beginning to support gap years more; most notably Harvard University and Princeton University, are now encouraging students to take time off, and some have even built gap year-like programs into the curriculum,[28]and many high schools now have counsellors specifically for students interested in taking a gap year.[29]Taking a year off has recently become slightly more common for Americans, the main reasons are that students are feeling burnt out with schooling and want to take time to make sure their lives are headed in a direction that suits them.[30]Some 40,000 Americans participated in 2013 in sabbatical programs, an increase of almost 20% since 2006, according to statistics compiled by the American Gap Association. Universities such as Georgetown University, New York University,[31]Amherst College, Princeton University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Middlebury College,[32]Davidson College,[33]Yeshiva University,[34]and Reed College have formal policies allowing students to defer admission.[30]Tufts University offers a program called 1+4 which allows students from lower income families to volunteer abroad or within America for a period of one year before starting their bachelor's degree.[35]Naropa University[36]in Boulder, Colorado, is the first U.S. university to fully integrate the gap year into a four-year undergraduate degree, which makes financial aid directly available to any student considering a gap year.[37]Some formal gap year programs can cost as much as $30,000, but cheaper alternatives are becoming more widely available; some reduce costs by offering room and board.[38][39]For example, the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps program, offers 18-24 year olds (no age limit for Team Leaders) an all-expense-paid gap year (room & board, meals, transportation, etc.) in exchange for a 10-month commitment to National and Community service.[40]AmeriCorps NCCC members travel the country in diverse teams and perform a variety of tasks such as rebuilding trails in national parks, responding to natural disasters or working as mentors for disadvantaged youths.[40]As with most AmeriCorps programs, service members receive an education award of approximately $6,000 upon completion of their service that can be used toward qualified educational expenses or student loans.[41]The zero cost to the member model AmeriCorps offers makes it an attractive alternative to costly gap year programs while leveraging taxpayer dollars to strengthen American communitiesBy : Ernest Tetteh