About Kamaldeen
Kamaldeen İshola Tejidini a Graduate of International Relations, M.A., African Studies | M.A. Candidate, International Business Consultant & Entrepreneur
Launching More Than a Degree: Why This Matters
Every year, thousands of students leave their home countries in pursuit of quality education and broader opportunities abroad. But for many international students, especially those from developing nations, the journey doesn’t stop at just earning a degree. It’s also about discovering ways to thrive economically in a foreign land.
For me, stepping into Turkey from Nigeria in 2014 was a leap of faith. I didn’t have a blueprint, just the desire to succeed. What I soon realized was that campus life is more than lectures and grades; it’s a training ground for leadership, resilience, and innovation. This article explores how international students can identify and utilize opportunities around them to build sustainable businesses-even before graduation. Through lessons learned in restaurants, classrooms, boardrooms, and cross-continental…
Turning Culture Shock into Market Insight
Adapting to a new country comes with its fair share of challenges,language barriers, different customs, and sometimes loneliness. But amidst the discomfort lies a world of potential. If you pay close attention, the gaps in services and support systems for foreigners can become openings for entrepreneurial ideas.
In my case, I landed a summer job at a luxury seaside restaurant in Izmir, Turkey. While others went home during the break, I chose to stay behind and work. The job turned out to be more than just waiting tables. It was an unexpected window into the world of high-end networking. I interacted with CEOs and executives who were intrigued that a young foreign student could speak Turkish and was willing to work during summer. These casual interactions evolved into business conversations. Some expressed interest in entering the African market, and I found myself playing the connector role,linking Turkish businesses with potential Nigerian buyers. This early exposure to international trade and relationship building sparked the birth of my business journey.
Around the same time, I had friends who were already involved in the importation of agricultural products from Nigeria to Turkey. They often reached out to me when they needed reliable suppliers or partners back home. With my connections and cultural understanding, I was able to introduce a few trusted contacts in Nigeria, and eventually became more involved in the process. This gave me a deeper understanding of cross-border trade, documentation, and logistics,skills that proved invaluable as my entrepreneurial journey evolved.
Your University Years: A Business Lab in Disguise
Being a student comes with the freedom to explore, test the waters, and fail safely. There’s no better time to experiment. It was during this phase that I noticed a growing demand for support with university applications from my friends and even strangers. Initially, I helped a few people navigate the process of applying to Turkish universities. Soon, referrals started pouring in. What began as a friendly favor eventually grew into a core service within my consultancy.
The same thing happened with currency exchange. Trying to send money home, I discovered informal networks that offered better rates than banks or Western Union. I tested them out, built trust, and began offering the same service to other students. Little by little, I transitioned from being a user to a provider. What seemed like a personal need turned into a small but sustainable enterprise.
Straddling Two Worlds: The Power of Perspective
Studying abroad puts you in a unique position,you understand both your home environment and your host country. That dual insight is your superpower. Use it to your advantage.
While studying in Poland on an Erasmus exchange program, a friend asked me to attend a business meeting on his behalf with a recruitment agency. That one meeting exposed me to the European work-permit and job-placement sector. I followed up with the agency, built rapport, and began facilitating job placements for African clients looking to work in Poland. By navigating two cultures and two bureaucracies, I carved out a niche for myself that others weren’t paying attention to.
When Small Steps Become the Blueprint
At the beginning, most of these ventures earned little or nothing. But every failed attempt came with a lesson. I didn’t give up because the aim was never immediate success, it was about gaining experience, sharpening skills, and understanding how the system works. The early years of trial and error,running errands for friends, handling applications, making currency transfers,taught me about trust, consistency, and value creation. Over time, these side hustles became recognized services with their own client bases.
From Hustle to Structure: Formalizing What Works
Eventually, I realized that if I wanted to scale, I needed to treat my side hustles like real businesses. I registered Kamtej Consultancy and structured my offerings. I built a small team, partnered with local firms, and started marketing my services more intentionally. I even tapped into Turkey’s booming real estate sector, helping foreigners navigate the process of buying property for residency or citizenship purposes. These opportunities came because I paid attention to trends and aligned my services with real market needs.
The Bigger Picture: Building a Legacy Abroad
Starting a business as an international student isn’t reserved for a privileged few. It’s about being observant, resourceful, and proactive. Begin from day one,your campus life is a lab. Experiment, network, ask questions, and don’t shy away from trying something new.
Whether you’re selling a product, providing a service, connecting people, or solving a problem, you have the tools to make a difference. Your journey abroad can be more than a degree,it can be the birthplace of your startup dream and a legacy that reaches across continents.
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