Busisiwe Magae

Why ALU?

ALU was a full package, it came with everything i needed and wanted. Studying on an island at all expenses paid was not a deal i could decline. The marketing was also quiet convincing. I wanted to be part of the 3million leaders by 2030, A product of the great Havard of Africa. I was mostly excited about exploring my leadership skills and allowing myself to learn new things.

Application Process!

I found the application process really easy to get through and basically completed it in like an hour or so in my bed using midnight data. The reply was also really timely so I was able to apply for a scholarship which was also straight forward and took under 28hrs to get all my documents in order for the application. I later got awarded a mastercard scholarship which meant all my studying costs were covered. I have to admit I was really excited and greatful for the opprtunity i was awarded and could not wait to get to campus.

Travelling to ALU during Covid times

Travelling to ALU was one of the longest and hardest journey I ever took in my life. I first tested positive for covid when i had to travel. I travelled late and had to stay in a different country for two weeks because i was South African. I stayed 14days in Rwanda then could not board in Kenya because the Airline thought it was a risk to let me board with exactly 14 days out of SA. I got stuck in Kenya for another 2weeks because i tested positive for Covid and actually got sick. I arrived in Mauritius after a whole Month on road and still has to go through mandatory quarantine for another 14days. I finally got to the ALC campus and felt relieved after the long journey.

The ALU Experience!

The campus was not what I expected in terms of Infrastructure. It looks way smaller in person and not exactly like the mareting team sells us. Meeting new people was really interesting since everyone was smart and unique in their own way. It was kind of intimidating but pursuaded me to a journey of self discovery and seeing room for growth in most aspects of my life. I could visualise the ALU vision but not really sure if i could feel and experience it. The leadership aspect was explored but not to my satisfaction and everything else seemed like a blur and an experiment at work. The education system seemed a bit unstable and inconsistent which raised a lot of ears and some worry. Learning with doubts caused a lot of confusion for most of us and left us with a lot of questions. I believe im still learning about how the institution functions and can understand it to a point, but otherwise i can say I was challenged a lot intellectually and mentally. I call myself a survivor for having gone through the last 2 years without falling into depression.

Advice to prospective students!

Ask questions to relevant people who can be able to explain the current educational system in place better for you. ALU is a leadership and entrepreneurial school true, and DO HARD THINGS actually means exactly that. Be open minded and leave a lot of room for disappointment and understanding, Otherwise, follow your heart, i believe thats what we all did, so you can live your own experience.