Aside from the fun of Carnival and the beautiful beaches, Brazil’s killer entrance exams and competition for subsidized spaces dominate the minds of both male and female students.

“In the past, men had more access to university, but that has changed,” tells Universidade de São Paolo student, Vic Baquini. “Now there is a big problem with ethnic [and economic] diversity. There has recently been discussion about creating quotas for Black, Indian and public high school students.”

In Cameroon.

  • 5 % of the college-age population is enrolled in university
  • 6 % of the college-age male population is enrolled in university
  • 4% of the college-age female population is enrolled in university

According to the trends of the developing world, a university education is the key to building strong nations. University of Ngaoundéré graduate, Paulina Houma, describes university campuses as “lightning rods” for sociopolitical and cultural debate, and a place where women are finding an essential platform for expression.