According to figures from Campus France, in 2023, more than one hundred and forty thousand African students were enrolled in French universities, or 47.2% of registered foreigners. Contrary to popular belief, a large number of these students decide to return to the continent to serve their country at the end of their training. At the Cité universitaire international de Paris, meeting with these students who share the same desire to come and study in France to return home better.
Un reportage de Diao Habib,
In his room at the Cité universitaire international in Paris, El Hadji Ibrahima Ndiaye, a Senegalese student finishing his master’s degree in history, is in the middle of a discussion with fellow students. For him, returning to share his acquired knowledge is obvious.I decided, after my studies here, to return to the country and contribute to the influence of the history department, details the young man. For example, the question of environmental history is not taught. So, these are prospects for really bringing a fairly high level to African universities, particularly the universities of Sénégalwhether in Dakar, Saint-Louis or Ziguinchor. So, this motivated my choice to follow this path, that is to say, to come and train, obtain my diplomas, and make my contribution, we will say. »
In the same room, Dienaba Ndiaye is a master’s student in law. She came to study in France to avoid disruptions to the Senegalese university system. “Everything was not going well, there were the strikes and I said to myself : why not go abroad to continue my studies? she remembers. And the objective has always been to return to the country and compete for the judiciary, insha Allah. And currently, that’s what I’m trying to achieve because I’m at the end of my master 2 and I would say, for soon, the objective is to go back and serve our country. »
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« A sacrifice for the country that must be made »
Housed in a room next door, Annouar Mohamed Nour is also finishing his master’s degree in international law this year. He plans to return to his Chad natal, while admitting that it is a risky bet. “Giving the skills acquired abroad in the service of your country involves risks, explains the young Chadian. Because you are going to have a very low salary, you are going to have quite difficult working conditions. But nonetheless, I really plan to return to contribute to the development of my country despite all these conditions. So that’s something that really excites me because it’s also a sacrifice for the country that we have to make in general. »
According to data from Campus France published in recent years, around 50% of foreign students return to their country four years after the end of their studies.
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