THINGS AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW IF YOU PLAN TO STAY

1) It Is Hard Work!

Being an international student who wants to remain in the UK is a lot of hard work.  You actually have to be quite determined and quite relentless.  With the UK government getting stricter with immigration, finding a way to stay is tiring, especially when you are coming from a country you know you can't go back to just yet, or you know your being here is a miracle in itself and staying and making yourself useful is not only crucial, but is your only choice!  Even if you just want to stay because you like the scenery or you have bonded with the weather because you relate to it's unpredictability, it still requires some actual effort which you have to be willing to put in.

2) Visa Requirements

YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE OF THE VISA REQUIREMENTS!!!  
You cannot afford to be ignorant on government policies that may affect your chances of employment.  The Visas that tend to apply to graduates willing to stay are TIER 2 for Workers and TIER 1 for Entrepreneurs!  Each of these have their own set of requirements which you have to study and understand.  For example, Tier 2 visas have a minimum annual income attached to them.  The amount is typically £30 000 a year to qualify for the visa, BUT it also has a list of exceptions for different jobs where that amount may be less.  For more information on visas, it is worth looking at the UK Government page

3) Sponsors

This point is connected to the point about Visas.  You need to make sure that the companies you are applying to have a license to sponsor the Visa you are hoping to get.  Most applications will ask if you need a visa and if they are not licensed or willing, they will cancel your application, but to avoid the heartache, it is worth looking up lists of companies that do sponsor.  One thing worth noting is that most International corporations have licenses and are often willing to sponsor international students.

4) Back up plans

There are many roads that lead to the same place and you need to be willing to alter your plans.  You can't afford to be stubborn.  You have to be flexible and creative.  Do a Masters or a PhD or find an alternative route to entry.  Even if you take a 5 year detour in the form of a job in a different field or a different country! You have be willing to do that if it means you will eventually be where you want to be.  Explore all you options because the greatest thing this country offers people is options.

5) Networking

One thing I think a lot of people forget is that you cannot do this on your own.  A sure way of making sure you don't is by networking.  Networking is the act of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.  Anyone you may meet in a social or professional setting may be the key you need to open doors for yourself.  A good way to networking is through going to open days and career days and applying for jobs that may seem menial, but could get you in contact with important people, for example waitressing.  We all need help and networking is sure way of getting the right kind of help.

6) University Help

If your university offers career help, by all means take advantage of their services.  UEA has a great Career Central who will help you with your entire application if need be.  They host many employment based events and offer students ample opportunity to get involved in the UK work force.  They give CV building advice and constantly post about job vacancies.  It is a good place to start, especially when you're not sure what to do with your degree after you graduate.

7) You are not the same

Being surrounded by EU and local students is great, but runs the risk of you assuming that you are all in the same boat.  You are not.  If they are struggling to get employment, your struggle will not only be greater, but will definitely be different.  We all have hurdles but your visa status makes yours just a little higher. Its easy to get 'lost in the sauce', but after graduation they have a lot of time to figure themselves out, you have approximately 4 months on your visa to either get a job, do a Masters, or get out,  of the whole country, of the whole continent, so please, understand your precarious position and do something to change it.

8) It is possible

A lot of people do manage to stay, so just because it is difficult doesn't mean it's  impossible.  There are a lot of students I know, in different fields, coming from African countries who have secured jobs, against all odds.  When you finally do get a job its the greatest feeling of relief and joy.  The fact that there are different ways in which you can stay means that IT IS POSSIBLE. In the famous word of Audrey Hepburn, "Nothing is Impossible.  The word itself say 'I'M POSSIBLE'."

9) Do not give up

I have a professor who is brilliant.  He is from Nigeria, and when he came to England to do Law, he went all the way to doing a PhD and says he has a collection of all his rejection letters, and they make quite a significant pile.  He took  every rejection as motivation to keep going and ended up landing a brilliant job, his ideal job, in Central London and now teaches at a Top 15 University.  Don't give up, as cliché as this may sound, failing just means you haven't succeeded yet.

10) Be positive

You have to keep your head up.  Keep believing in you abilities and your hard work. Stay positive and keep your eye on the prize!

Ashleigh Nyambirai: Southern African Ambassador