Africa is a monstrous continent; made up of over 50 countries, every country in Africa has something special to offer prospective study abroad students. However, the following four countries are home to a handful of established study abroad programs and high quality universities, and each one also offers opportunities and resources in the way of community involvement.

South Africa. Home to all five top-ranked African universities, it is no wonder this country jumps to the top of our list. Noted as one of the most diverse and complex countries in the world, South Africa is the perfect place to study abroad in Africa. Public universities in South Africa are divided into three categories: traditional universities, universities of technology (more vocational), and comprehensive universities (a combination of the two). Students will find that most schools in South Africa offer multi-cultural student communities, strong academic facilities, and a bevy of social activities and clubs, which create an excellent support system for international students. Additionally, several universities in South Africa offer community volunteer programs (aka. service learning), which can serve as a source of additional opportunities for students to flex their academic experience and help develop a local community.

Ghana. Located in a suburb of the capital city of Accra, the University of Ghana – Legon is Ghana’s premier, and oldest, university. Originally an affiliate of the University of London, this institution offers strong study abroad programs in agriculture, fine arts, the social sciences, and medicine. The University of Ghana is also one of the few schools on the continent that offers offer nuclear physics and nuclear engineering degree programs and courses.

Kenya. Students looking to focus their study abroad program in Africa on the fields of medicine, engineering, or entrepreneurship should look no further than study abroad in Kenya; international students should specifically be sure to check out opportunities at the University of Nairobi, located in the nation’s capital and largest city. Nairobi is a bustling metropolis boasting seven university campuses, where students can focus on a range of interdisciplinary studies and work hands-on with experts in their field of choice.

Egypt. Nestled in near the Nile river, and located in Egypt’s sprawling metropolis capital, the University of Cairo is well-known as one of the top universities not just in Egypt, but in all of Africa. Home to several notable Nobel Laureates, as well as some famous political leaders, studying abroad in Egypt gives students incredible access to some of history’s most famous cities and landmarks. Strong academic programs in foreign languages, law, and medicine make this an excellent place to study abroad.