Most people within my age bracket who japa from Nigeria tend to do so through the graduate school route and rely on scholarships and other forms of funding. I got a significant scholarship from the university but still had to pay a percentage out-of-pocket. Relative to the exchange rate in Nigeria, this out-of-pocket fee was very substantial, and I could barely afford it. I also had to deal with the burden of living expenses. I had two jobs – a research assistant role and another on-campus job, using my 20-hour work allowance to the maximum limit. My earnings from these two jobs are barely enough to meet up with rent and feeding expenses, so I must always work – including holidays. The advantage was that my coworkers and supervisors saw me as a devoted colleague who loved his job. In reality, I needed to ensure I was getting paid for every available hour. Otherwise, I would not be able to pay rent. This struggle is almost over, as I am now in my final semester, but I look back at it and realise how tough it has been. I always envy those lucky to get a full-ride scholarship or funding opportunity and do not need to do as much work. I often wished I stayed in Nigeria and kept my very well-compensated job. Nothing good comes easy, I guess. I have been approached online by many people who intend to take the same risk I took, and while I try not to discourage them, I think it is important that they know precisely what they may face.
As narrated by: O.S. (BOSTON, US)
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