When Bomba received his admission into the prestigious Sloan Fellows MBA program at MIT, he knew this was more than just a personal milestone. It marked the next significant step toward transforming Cameroon’s entrepreneurial landscape. With over 14 years of experience driving innovation and strategy across various industries, Bomba possessed the skills, vision, and now, the opportunity. But like many African students preparing for a study abroad journey, he hit a frustrating roadblock: paying the mandatory SEVIS fee from Cameroon.
Traditional payment methods have proven to be unreliable and time-consuming. Just when the visa process risked being delayed, a friend introduced him to Pay4Me, a platform designed specifically to help African students like him overcome international payment hurdles. In this story, Bomba shares how Pay4Me became a turning point in his U.S. study journey, from simplifying his SEVIS payment to helping him prepare for the visa interview with confidence.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your study abroad journey?
I’m a 38-year-old Cameroonian and a corporate manager with over 14 years of work experience in my country. For the past decade, I’ve worked across different sectors, building teams and leading strategic projects. This year, I’ve taken a bold step in my career by joining the Sloan Fellows MBA program at MIT, a globally respected platform for innovation and entrepreneurial leadership. My decision to study abroad was driven by a desire to refine my leadership skills and develop a high-impact venture I intend to launch in Cameroon after the program.
What inspired you to study abroad?
My key motivation was the opportunity to access cutting-edge business education and a global network of innovators. The Sloan program is for experienced leaders, and I felt it was the right environment to test and develop my entrepreneurial ideas in a world-class setting.My preparation began with extensive research on funding options to secure my I-20. Once I had that in hand, I started organizing my documents and reviewing the U.S. visa application requirements. That included paying my SEVIS fee, booking my visa appointment, and eventually preparing for the visa interview itself.
What challenges did you face when trying to make your SEVIS fee payment in Cameroon?
The main challenge was finding a Western Union agency, which is the method required for making the SEVIS payment from Cameroon. The process was not straightforward, and it felt outdated and stressful.
How did those challenges make you feel, and what options were available to you at the time?
I felt a bit stuck and frustrated, especially knowing how important that payment was for moving forward with my visa process. At the time, the common option was to ask someone in the U.S. to make the payment on my behalf, but coordinating that from Cameroon posed its own risks and uncertainties. That’s when a friend told me about Pay4Me, and I decided to give it a try. I signed up the same day, made my deposit, and the process moved forward from there.
What made you decide to trust Pay4Me with your SEVIS fee payment?
The recommendation came from a friend who had already successfully used Pay4Me. That personal testimony gave me the confidence to try it out. I also found the app interface reassuring and the instructions clear. The process was straightforward, and it was a lot more convenient than I initially thought.
Were there any features or services that stood out to you during the process?
Yes, I appreciated the community forum within the Pay4Me app. It was helpful to see other students sharing their experiences, asking questions, and getting support. It created a sense of not being alone in the process, which was comforting.
What was your experience like with the free mock visa interview provided by Pay4Me?
The mock interview was valuable. It gave me a clear sense of how the actual U.S. visa interview would go. I practiced answering questions clearly and confidently, and I got real-time feedback on how to improve my responses. It helped us understand the tone, pace, and expectations of the consular officer.
I would recommend Pay4Me, especially for SEVIS fee payments. It’s designed for African students and addresses a very real issue with international payments. You don’t have to stress about finding someone abroad or navigating outdated methods. Use Pay4Me, it’s safe, efficient, and has made a difference in my journey.
