The Nigerian expertise is bodily, emotional and generally worldwide. Nobody is aware of this higher than our articles on #TheAbroadLife, a sequence the place we element and discover Nigerian experiences whereas residing overseas..
This week’s matter on residing overseas is a tech bro who was bored with residing in Nigeria with no earnings or energy, so he determined to proceed his schooling and discover work in Canada. He shares his struggles managing bills and making associates as a world pupil.
When did you determine to go overseas?
In 2019, a member of the family stored telling me about Canada and the alternatives I might get there, together with a post-grad work allow after college and better possibilities of everlasting residency than in most from different nations. I wasn’t obsessive about it at first, however a yr later I began evaluating the professionals and cons of residing in Nigeria versus residing overseas. I spotted that I might develop my technical abilities, work and get my grasp’s diploma all on the identical time. Being in a functioning nation will even assist, given the facility points in Nigeria and all.
I ought to have utilized in 2020, however after a lot procrastination, I utilized in June 2021 and was admitted two months later, in August.
What challenges did you face in Nigeria?
It began after I utilized to check electrical engineering at a college and was given physics as a substitute. I did not prefer it, however I needed to examine it for 5 years. It made me resent the entire system. Quick ahead to a yr after college in 2019, I turned fascinated about know-how and began studying software program engineering full-time by paid on-line programs. Nevertheless it was not simple due to energy issues. There was nearly by no means any mild the place I lived in Lagos, so I all the time needed to pay for workspace. At the moment, I used to be not even working. My mother and father all the time questioned after I was going to discover a job, however with my diploma, I could not get jobs that will be sufficient for me.
So, Canada. How was the transferring course of?
I needed to acquire the required paperwork and safe my medical examinations. The visa utility was not that troublesome as a result of an agent was dealing with it for me, however you see the medical exams? I used to be touring to Abuja actually each week to type it out. I additionally had to offer proof of funds. The entire course of took about 4 months. It’s a must to be very thorough when filling out your paperwork, in any other case you could have to begin the entire course of over once more. Additionally, I am a giant procrastinator, so the method took so lengthy.
When did you arrive in Canada?
Finish of January 2022.
Have you ever skilled tradition shocks?
Sure. Particularly in terms of titles. No grownup right here cares about your “my” and your “sir”.
Additionally, I might say making associates is tough right here. In Nigeria it is easy to get folks that can assist you with a factor or two, however not right here. You are alone more often than not, and that is harmful as a result of what occurs in an emergency? It may be a really lonely life right here.
Are Nigerian communities not providing help?
You’ll be shocked if some Nigerians don’t want you to succeed. They like to not inform you in regards to the system as a way to undergo as they did after they arrived. It’s arduous to search out somebody loyal or reliable sufficient to name your pal, even amongst different Nigerians.
Are you able to share a few of your experiences on this?
I used to be a part of an Afro-Caribbean society after I arrived, and I befriended a Nigerian known as Dapo. I bear in mind eager to study issues about surviving in Canada and all the time asking him questions, however he by no means took the time to clarify issues to me. He was all the time busy and by no means answered her calls. Think about what it felt like for a brand new immigrant with no household right here. I needed to discover my bearings by myself.
What do you suppose are some great benefits of residing in Canada?
There’s a system that works for everybody. Even for those who did not go to highschool, you’ll find a job that will pay the identical as somebody who did. Faculty is nearly a luxurious or a second thought right here because it doesn’t have an effect on your earnings degree. I also can get medication at a backed charge right here. They permit college students to journey public buses totally free, utilizing a card legitimate till September 2023.
What are the disadvantages ?
Managing funds and working prices is troublesome for a pupil. My lease is $900 a month. I make $300 per week as an administrative assistant at a name service firm ($15 for 20 hours a day), and that is not all the time assured. Some days there could also be no work, so I will not have any cash. I additionally pay taxes of $100 a month. The one factor that helps me is that my mother and father ship me cash which covers a part of the lease. It is arduous to save lots of as a result of as I get my earnings, it comes out nearly instantly.
Discovering a job was additionally very troublesome. It took me nearly two months to get one in Canada. Certainly, many worldwide college students apply for a similar jobs. I even had a pal who waited six months earlier than discovering a job.
How do you juggle between work and faculty?
It isn’t a straightforward process. I spent sleepless nights. More often than not, I’ve to debate my class schedule with my supervisor so he can create a piece schedule based mostly on the times I am free. Generally I might go to work within the morning after which I had a lecture within the afternoon. I do know individuals who work at evening. You additionally have to be cautious and put aside time to cowl the times you have not learn, so you do not slack off in your research.
Would you ever return to Nigeria?
Sure, I’ll positively do this. I miss the air and the heat of Nigerians in Nigeria. Right here, friendship appears compelled. However I will not come again till I get my grasp’s diploma, hone my software program engineering abilities, and earn some cash. Nigeria just isn’t the place you wish to return to with no good job.
How a lot cash do you suppose you want?
Given the state of affairs in Nigeria, any sum of money that I name at the moment will not be sufficient within the subsequent two months or so. I do not wish to be too particular, however hopefully I will be again within the subsequent 4 to 5 years or so after I’ve made tens of millions.