Hyderabad – Two students from Eswatini, Sinenhlanhla Monametsi and Noncedo Vilakati, are currently studying at Osmania University in India through the prestigious Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarship for the academic year 2025-26. The pair recently had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Sriram, the Second Secretary (Education, Press, Information & Culture) at the Indian High Commission, during his visit to India. During their meeting, they shared their experiences and provided valuable feedback on their time studying abroad.
Monametsi, who is pursuing a degree in Pharmacy, and Vilakati, studying BSc in Statistics, reflected on their initial challenges and the process of adjusting to life in India. Vilakati described the transition as difficult at first, but noted that once she became familiar with her surroundings, the experience became more enjoyable. “At first, it was hard adjusting for the first few days, but once I got used to it, I found the whole experience fun. The people here are very accommodating and treat us well. They don’t treat us like mere foreigners. It’s actually been a great experience,” said Vilakati.
The students also spoke about their experiences with Indian cuisine, embracing the local food despite its spicy nature. “We’ve tried a few local dishes, including samosas, chicken tandoori, biryani, parathas, and pav bhaji. It’s a bit spicy, but we’ve been careful to choose the ones that aren’t too hot,” Vilakati shared.
On the academic front, both students have had positive experiences with Osmania University’s administration and the learning environment. “So far, I can say that the administration is very friendly and accommodating. I love the learning environment here at the university,” said Monametsi. Vilakati, whose college is farther from her hostel, explained that she typically uses Uber or Rapido for her daily commute, though she has made friends who share the ride to reduce costs. “I’ve found a few friends here, so we travel together. It helps keep the costs down and makes commuting more manageable,” she said.
When asked about potential improvements to the ICCR scholarship system, both scholars suggested the inclusion of life orientation programs. “It would be helpful to have life orientation experts who can provide counseling to students, so they can emotionally prepare for the challenges they might face when studying abroad,” said Vilakati. While the scholarship program provides students with a clear understanding of what to expect, they both felt that emotional readiness for the experience could be better addressed.
Both Monametsi and Vilakati strongly recommend the ICCR scholarship to other students from Eswatini who are interested in studying in India. “The scholarship covers everything, including our air tickets, full tuition, and a monthly stipend. Financially, we have nothing to worry about,” said Monametsi. “It’s a great scholarship, but it’s very competitive, so students need to work hard and excel academically to stand a chance.” Vilakati agreed, adding, “They only select 30 students, and it’s a 100% scholarship. It’s an amazing opportunity.”
The students expressed gratitude for the opportunities the scholarship has provided and wished each other continued success in their academic journey.
Watch the full interview in the video below.
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