Busayo, a 19-year-old Nigerian, left for Rotterdam on August 19, 2025, after securing a €5,000 scholarship to study at Erasmus University Rotterdam. He had initially aimed for the United States, gaining admission to several universities and partial scholarships of 20% to 60%. However, after factoring in long-term tuition costs and the difficulty of securing a U.S. student visa, he abandoned the plan. His older sister, already living in the Netherlands, encouraged him to consider Erasmus University, known for its strong media and communications program.
He first applied to the university before finishing high school in 2024 but did not receive financial aid. During a gap year, he re-applied with renewed focus on the scholarship, using self-directed research and guidance from his sister and online resources, including a curated YouTube playlist on university applications. His second attempt succeeded—he gained admission and the scholarship. Rotterdam, often overshadowed by Amsterdam, is where he now lives and rebuilds his life. The shift from the U.S. path to the Netherlands was driven by practical barriers: visa denials, high costs, and the need to retake the SAT for top American schools, which he chose not to do.
A Nigerian student bypassed the U.S. due to cost and visa hurdles, choosing a Dutch university his sister endorsed. That personal network, not institutional outreach or policy, determined his path abroad.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
