Main content

I cycled across Africa for a place at my dream university

A handwritten map is all Mamadou Barry had to guide him from Guinea to Egypt, where he wanted to enrol at one of the world鈥檚 top Islamic universities.

A handwritten map is all Mamadou Barry had to guide him from Guinea to Egypt, where he wanted to enrol at one of the world鈥檚 top Islamic universities. At the age of 24 he had reached a crossroads in his life. Having failed his final year secondary school exams five times in a row, he set his sights on a different type of education. Mamadou had heard about the prestigious Al Azhar University in Egypt, but could not afford a plane ticket. So he decided to set off on an epic adventure, travelling by bike, and leaving his home in Guinea with only $55, a small bag of clothes and tools, and a map he had drawn himself.

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Rob Wilson
Translator and interpreter: Olivier Weber
Voiceover artist: Ga茂us Kowene

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Mamadou and his bike. Credit: Courtesy of Mamadou Barry)

Available now

41 minutes

Last on

Fri 22 Dec 2023 03:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 21 Dec 2023 12:06GMT
  • Thu 21 Dec 2023 18:06GMT
  • Thu 21 Dec 2023 23:06GMT
  • Fri 22 Dec 2023 03:06GMT

Contact Outlook

Contact Outlook

Info on how we might use your contribution on air

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Step into someone else鈥檚 life and expect the unexpected