The Nigerian experience is physical, emotional, and sometimes international. No one knows it better than our features on #TheAbroadLife, a series where we detail and explore Nigerian experiences while living abroad.
When Phoebe* (28) got her heart broken by the partner she thought she would build her future with, she fell into depression and knew it was time to seek a fresh start. In pursuit of new beginnings, she moved to France through a shady scholarship that ended up becoming her new source of anxiety and tears.
Where do you live, and when did you move out of Nigeria?
I presently live in France, and I moved here in August 2024
Why France?
I had been trying to relocate via the study route to the United Kingdom (UK), but it never worked out because of financial constraints. In 2023, I started trying other European countries because they seemed cheaper and eventually settled for France.
How did that happen?
One day, I was scrolling through Twitter and stumbled upon a French scholarship. The comments under the post suggested it was a scam, but that didn’t stop me from clicking on the link and applying anyway. I turned in that application in December 2023. Then, sometime in June 2024, I got an email informing me I was being considered for the next stage of the scholarship. I had totally forgotten about the scholarship, but when that email came in, I started praying to make it through the interview stage.
A few days later, I got the scholarship, and it was as full as they come. It covered my flight, tuition, and everything else. I told a few family members that I was moving, but I didn’t tell others until I arrived in France. On getting there, I received one of the biggest surprises of my life.
What happened?
It turned out the scholarship didn’t cover my tuition fee of €3500. At the time, its naira equivalent was about ₦6 million, and the school required that it be paid in full. The scholarship only covered another kind of fee, which wasn’t related to the main school fees.
I reached out to the scholarship program coordinator, and she sent me a very harsh message, saying I would have to return to Nigeria if I couldn’t pay the money before the 14th of September; it was already the end of August then.
Oh my God, that’s horrible
It made me seek help from the family members I initially kept in the dark about my relocation to France Every member of my family contributed, and we somehow managed to raise the money by the deadline.
It was horrible, but in a way, it was also a blessing in disguise: the scholarship kept its word and paid for my flight and everything else. If they hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t have been able to afford to relocate at the time I did. Plus, if I weren’t already in France, it wouldn’t have been easy for people to rally around and crowdfund for me. They probably would have told me to try again next year, but seeing that I was already in France, nobody wanted me to return to Nigeria empty-handed.
I hear that. I hope life is kinder to you now…
I can’t say it’s perfect, but it’s much better than where I came from. I’m still very grateful for how it worked out because I was tired of being in Nigeria. I prayed to God that I needed to leave Nigeria without paying a dime. God didn’t answer the prayer how I wanted, but He answered it anyway.
I’ve been here a few months, but my health has improved. The government pays part of my health insurance. The scholarship helped me to secure accommodation before moving to France, but they don’t cover any subsequent costs. The government is covering half of my rent, andI also get free groceries every week. Is it perfect? No. But is it better than the life I was living in Nigeria? Definitely.
What was your life in Nigeria like, and why was it important to leave?
I was an event decorator and personal shopper. I would often be stuck in the market at 11 pm midnight carrying a heavy load on my head. Sometimes, there would be no sight of taxis or motorcycles on the road, and I’d have to walk to the bus stop. There were times when the stress landed me in the hospital. I was also in a relationship that ended in a bad breakup. We had planned to leave the country and build a life together, so when we broke up, I was in a bad place mentally, and it led to some health complications. I subconsciously started comparing myself to friends who had found love and got married.
On the other hand, I was a personal shopper going through a heartbreak. I fell into depression and started seeking a fresh start. That’s mostly what made me want to leave the country.
Does France feel like that fresh start?
Yes, it does. I have some plans for the future already, and I’m happy that I get the chance to experience world-class education here.
On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in France
Eight. It would be higher if my family members were here with me. I miss them so much.
Do you want to share your Abroad Life story? Please reach out to me here. For new episodes of Abroad Life, check in every Friday at 12 PM (WAT).
