Your Bachelors Degree-3 ways to pay for your education

With the current state of the world economy one thing is for certain: the days of getting a great job without a tertiary education is over. In modern America the minimum requirement for a job is now a high school diploma and although that could get you a job it probably won't be anything special. The job market is getting much more competitive and unless you have a degree you will always be on the back foot.

The overriding problem however is that a university education is getting more and more expensive. Nobody has a coupe of thousand bucks lying around when they leave school. If you are already working with a family then it can be even more challenging financially. So, what can you do? Here are two very real and very effective options.

1. Student Loan
While loans are expensive, a student loan can be the most economical way to borrow money. The interest is minimal and the repayments flexible. Most will only require you to start making payments when you do find a job after graduation which can be perfect.

2. Scholarship
Scholarships come in many shapes and sizes. They are basically financial incentives from companies and organizations that will pay your studies for you. In some cases you have to pay it back, in some cases you have to work it back while some situations will require and alternative "repayment" like playing football for a college.

3. Grants
Grants are like scholarships but the big difference is that you do not have to repay anything. These are financial "gifts" that are usually given by governments or institutions that are supporting specific causes. One such cause for instance is grants for people in ethnic minorities with the aim of promoting minority groups into more senior positions.

Kenya Airways Seeks to Dominate European Routes

December 15th sees Kenya Airways, (KQ), fly onward from Nairobi into the resort town of Fiumicino, Italy, making this its fourth destination into Europe. Fiumicino is based 35km’s outside the historic city of Rome, which is central for tourists wanting to explore the city’s history, culture, shopping and amazing architecture in this popular European destination for South Africans.

The addition of this route makes connectivity to Italy one of the quickest in traveling times through Africa. Fiumicino Airport, otherwise known as the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, is the busiest airport in Italy, and the fifth busiest in Europe. It is also the starting point of The Fiumicino Airport Express train terminus offering, direct, safe and easy train transfers into Rome’s city centre and onward.

Italy has one of Europe’s largest economies and has high levels of freedom for investors, business people and traders. Italy has the 4th largest gold reserve, is the biggest wine exporter and is known for its creative and high quality work in the automobile and fashion industry.

Connectivity to Fiumicino is via Nairobi, with flights three times a week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

KQ is offering promotional fares on this new route, departing Johannesburg, Nairobi, Fiumicino, return from R5095.00, including taxes.

10 Things you should know about Nairobi

1. Getting There and Away

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (www.kenyaairports.co.ke/kaa/airports/jkia) is 18km east of the city centre. It is served by 49 scheduled airlines, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, and South African Airways. National carrier Kenya Airways (www.kenya-airways.com; tel: +254 20 327 4747; email: reservations@kenya-airways.com) flies to 36 cities worldwide.

2. Getting Around

Public transport around Nairobi is readily available. There are buses, matatus (mini-buses/vans) and cabs in addition to car hire companies. You can pick up a yellow taxi (cab) at the airport, though be prepared to pay anything upwards from Ksh 1,500 (US $20) into the city. For trips around the city, fares range between Ksh 300-500 ($4-6.70). Car hire is also available from $187 a day (try EuropCar, office at airport, tel +254 20 822 625).

3. Where to Stay

Book well in advance. Standard rooms vary between $60 and $250. The Fairview Hotel (Bishops Rd, Upper Hill; tel: +254 20 271 1321; www.fairview.com) offers homely luxury just outside the city. The Hilton Empire has a city centre location (Mama Ngina St; tel: +254 20 250 000; www.hilton.com). Alternatively, apartment rental offers fully furnished suites for about KSh 50,000-170,000 ($660-2,240) a month. The luxurious Palacina Residence and Suite (Kitale Lane, Off Dennis Pritt Rd; tel: +254 20 271 5517; www.palacina.com) has hotel rooms and apartments, or try the Chania Apartments (Chania Ave, Kilimani; tel: +254 20 229 117).

4. Eating Out

Kenyans love their meat and the most popular local delicacy is roasted red meat cooked over charcoal (nyama choma in Swahili). Try such traditional dishes at Chui’s Place (National Museum of Kenya, Museum Hill; tel: +254 072 1163 728), or head for a mindboggling array of exotic meats from crocodile to camel at Carnivore (Off Langata Rd; tel: +254 20 60 2775).

5. Nightlife

Notorious for its vibey bars and nightclubs, there’s plenty to keep you on the move until sunrise in Nairobi. Carnivore restaurant’s Simba Saloon is popular for its merrymaking, disco, and bar. Upmarket Mercury Lounge (ABC Place, off Waiyaki Way; tel: +254 20 445 1875) has tapas, cocktails, and live jazz every Saturday. For a more cultural experience, visit The Phoenix Players (Parliament Rd; tel: +254 20 225 506/212 601), Kenya’s most popular repertory theatre group.

6. Out of Town

Ninety minutes outside town, Lake Naivasha is the second largest freshwater lake in Kenya and a world-renowned birding destination. You can also see giraffes, buffalo, and Colobus monkeys wandering amongst the greenery. Take a boat trip, but beware of the hippos. The stunning Crater Lake Tented Camp (tel: +254 20 884 258) can organise daily excursions.

7. Sightseeing

Nairobi’s Animal Orphanage and Safari Walk (Langata Rd, KWS Headquarters; tel: +254 20 602 345; www.kws.org) gives you the first step towards Kenya’s expansive wildlife, amid lions, cheetahs, hippos and more. The Bomas of Kenya (Langata/Forest Edge Rd; tel: +254 20 891 801) have folklore and dance.

8. Shopping

Head for more than 150 outlets at The Village Market Shopping and Recreation Complex (Limuru Rd; tel: +254 20 552 488/90), which features a Maasai-themed craft market on Fridays, as well as waterslides and a playground for children.

9. Climate

Nairobi’s climate is fairly moderate and seasons are separated by long and short rains. The summer months are sunny and warm but comfortable, while winters are mild to cool with very chilly evenings. The wettest part of the year come with the long rains of late March to May. Short rains are from November to January.

10. Essential Reading

Nairobi was home to world renowned author, playwright, and "literary and social activist" Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, whose hard hitting plays, novels and socio-political accounts exposed neo-colonial Kenya to the world. Try Decolonising the Mind (1986), Petals of Blood (1977), and A Grain of Wheat (1967).