Study And Work Abroad: A Global Directory Of Opportunities by Adewale T. Akande, Spectrum Books Limited, Ibadan, Safari Books (Export) Limited & African Books Collective Limited, United Kingdom, 2004, pp 120.

Do you want to study or work abroad? Ample opportunities are now at your doorstep. The book, Study And Work Abroad: A Global Directory Of Opportunities by Adewale T. Akande offers a rich compendium of information for everyone be it the youths, job hunters, academics, travelers, and professionals in different fields of endeavour who wish to live, study or work abroad.

According to the author, the book is meant to meet the needs of people and promote education worldwide. His words; “ From my traveling experiences, I discovered that there was a vast sea of untapped opportunities abroad: scholarships, grants, fellowships and lucrative jobs which elude Africans due to inadequate information facilities.”

Although the book is a compilation of invaluable information for people to improve their academic or employment careers overseas, it also provides safety measures to prevent people from fake and exploitative educational consultants or establishments that serve as intermediaries.

Dedicated to the memory of his father, the late Chief Saka Akande, who believed that education is the inalienable right of every human being and therefore should be made free and compulsory at both primary and secondary levels, the directory is a complete handbook of useful information. It lists names of institutions of higher learning, their contacts, courses, and the financial aids available. It also contains useful hints on disabled travelers while job seekers are equally linked with various opportunities for employment placements and career development.

The 120-page book is divided into two parts. The first part, (Chapter 1-8) dwells on international scholarships. It lists out current scholarships, grants, awards and fellowships for undergraduates available in various institutions and organizations. It also provides useful information on Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Test in Special English (TSE), Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

The second part (Chapter 9-17) reveals a wide variety of job opportunities in more than 50 countries through websites. It lists some recruitment agencies, humanitarian organizations, accredited immigration organizations as well as links for travelers with disabilities.

The book begins with quotes as intellectual guides for readers to meditate on and follow the part of wisdom in their decision-making. Aside providing job opportunities for students, the book is equally informative, educative, well presented and straight to the point. Except for the preface, introduction and the back cover, there is no essay. From Chapter one to 17, the book goes straight to list directories. Also the best ways to meet requirements for employment or admissions are provided.

Essentially, the book is a resource material for anyone who needs information on what to do abroad. It’s quite handy and accessible to readers.
Adewale Akande is an International columnist with The Voice Magazine (Holland), Zenith Magazine (Spain) and the defunct Wazobianews Magazine in Germany.

He obtained his Masters’ degrees in Educational Management (M.Ed.) and Political Science (M.Sc.) from the University of Ibadan in 1994 and 1998 respectively.
Currently, he is the Director of Global Educational Ventures based in Spain and publisher of Global Awareness Club Newsletter.