Japa Season: Things You Should Know Before You Travel

A new trend is sweeping the nation, and though it is officially called emigration, every Nigerian refers to it as the Japa syndrome.

It’s no secret that the socio-economic climate of Nigeria is forcing thousands of people, especially the youths, to seek greener pastures in western countries like Canada, the US and the UK.

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It’s japa season, so every other day, one more person is planning to leave the country. And with the amount of information flying around, it’s hard to tell which is true or false.

Below are some important things you should know before you Japa.

Getting there is just the first step

Don’t think getting here will be the end of all your struggles because it’s not. When you see plenty “foreign” things you want to try, you need to exercise financial constraints. Manage your money because even if you don’t get the job you were hoping for, you’d still have a ton of bills to pay.

Student routes are the easiest

Having a bachelor’s degree in Nigeria makes it easy to apply for your Master’s degree. And in the United States, when you do a STEM course, you become eligible for a 3-year work visa.

So it’s easier for you to transition from a blue to a white-collar job capable of sponsoring your green card after graduation.

Make sure you have your accommodation sorted

Whether you’re staying with family, student accommodation or getting your own place, make sure you have all the details of your accommodation sorted properly before you even leave Nigeria. You’d think this was common knowledge, but a friend of mine had already gotten to Canada when the family friend he wanted to stay with stopped taking his calls.

Mentally prepare yourself

Compared to what social media might have you believe, living aboard is not glamorous or luxurious as portrayed. Many of us, when we hear names of countries like the US or the UK, tend to have a particular notion that once you arrive there, there is a money-growing tree planted on every street.

Set your goals

In the same way, not going to the market without a list of items is how you should never plan to relocate abroad without setting your goals.

Goals are like a guide to what you want your life’s final destination to look like. They help keep track and serve as a constant reminder of what needs to be done and achieved.

Journeying to a different country comes with other distractions, and goals are a way to measure if you allowed these distractions to overwhelm you or if you made the desired progress.

Somto Bisina

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