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Bunmi spent seven years studying a five-year course in Nigeria, but the delay turned out to be a blessing, eventually leading her to a fully funded program in Canada. In this story, she shares the steps and free templates needed to study in Canada for free.
Where do you live now, and when did you leave Nigeria?
I live in British Columbia, Canada. I moved here in 2024.
Congratulations! How exactly did you move?
I had already been considering coming to Canada for over two years before I finally left. I started the process in my fifth and final year of undergraduate studies. At the time, I was the vice president of my departmental association, and we used to invite alumni to speak to us about studying abroad. That was when I got an idea of how to start.
In the first semester of my 500-level, I started reaching out to Canadian professors. Because of several academic strikes, I’d already spent about seven years in school, so it made sense to start thinking of postgraduate studies. It took about six months to land my first professor, but unfortunately, the wait wasn’t productive; she told me she didn’t have funding.
After that disappointment, I discovered I had gotten a fully funded sponsored trip to the United States (U.S). I packed my bags and moved to the U.S., where I stayed for nearly four months. I was in a much better environment and clearer state of mind, so I started emailing professors again. Most were in Canada, and a few were in the U.S.
The main thing that attracted me to Canada was the postgraduate work permit. If you study here, you can get that permit and apply for Permanent Residency (PR)within five to ten years (sometimes less). It just felt like a more straightforward path compared to other countries.
By August, I landed a professor who responded positively. I sent her a cold email and attached my CV and transcript, and she was impressed with my previous work. By September, she agreed to be my supervisor and asked me to apply to the school. The deadline was in January.
I returned to Nigeria and submitted my application before the deadline. Two weeks before my birthday in March, I got my admission approval.
From there, my supervisor told me to apply for a study permit. I felt confident since I’d already been to Canada before. However, I was refused in early August after applying in July. I was shocked because my application was solid; it contained over 60 pages, including a personal statement.
At that point, I had two options: defer my admission to January (which wasn’t allowed in my department) or travel to Canada as a visitor and reapply. After discussing with my supervisor and school, I chose the second option.
How did that work out?
I left Nigeria on August 17th, arrived Canada on the 18th, and was uncertain if I’d have to return after two weeks. When I arrived, I opened a Canadian account, moved my money, and reapplied for my study permit. By early September, it was approved. I had to travel to the US–Canada border by road to finalise it. Thankfully, I had a valid US visa and got my study permit without issues.
Congratulations. What kind of funding did you receive?
It was a full scholarship because my program is research-based. For research, you usually get full funding. I also work as a Research Assistant (RA) and Teaching Assistant (TA).
Amazing. What program falls under the research category?
I’m studying wildfires, which are very common in North America, Australia, Brazil, and other countries. Wildfires can start from high temperatures, low humidity, or even something as simple as a passing car.
The area I live in had a major wildfire two years before I arrived, and a few decades ago. Driving past the blackened landscapes really intrigued me. So, my research focuses on assessing the long-term impacts of wildfires, not just immediate damage, but also how communities recover socially and economically over time.
Interesting. How can people who want to explore this opportunity figure out their research interests and find professors with similar interests?
I realised I wasn’t cut out for a 9–5 during my fourth year of undergraduate studies. So, I started analysing my strengths and researching areas related to meteorology and climate science.
I made a list of about 40 possible research areas, filtered what excited me, and narrowed it to sustainability, environment, and climate change.
When searching for professors, I’d check their school profiles and past research publications to see if their interests aligned with mine. That’s how I reached out.
Because I know how confusing it can be, I now share my experience on YouTube, including templates, tips, and even study permit application processes.
Is there still hope to come to Canada through research for people not in science-related fields?
My background is in physical sciences, but my supervisor is a social scientist. Since my program is interdisciplinary, I transitioned into social science research.
There are many interesting options that are not purely science-related, such as sustainable fashion, power and conflict studies, and global studies. In my cohort, we have people from political science, math, biology, and more, all working on climate change. So, it’s not limited to STEM.
Bunmi’s Cold Pitching Template for Canadian Postgraduate Applications
That’s good to know. What are your top key tips for intending applicants?
First, don’t give up. Some people email hundreds of professors before getting a response. I emailed 31 before landing mine.
Second, be consistent. Don’t send one email and disappear for weeks.
Third, check your email often. That’s how I got the U.S opportunity I mentioned earlier.
Fourth, send emails considering the professor’s time zone. For example, Nigeria is eight hours ahead of Canada. If you send an email at 8 a.m Nigerian time, emails from other applicants might bury yours before the lecturer even gets to see it. Send your email when they’re expected to resume work.
Fifth, revamp your CV and transcript to align with their interests.
And finally, don’t get discouraged by grades. Even if you didn’t graduate with a first class, you can convince them with your experience and motivation.
Bunmi’s CV Template for Canadian Postgraduate Applications
Thanks for not gatekeeping. How would you describe life in Canada so far?
It’s different, but in a good way. It’s been wonderful, especially this past summer. I’m introverted, but I’ve experienced many new things, attended conferences, and even travelled again to the U.S.
The academic culture is also different. Professors here often want you to call them by their first names, not “Doctor” or “Sir.” That took some getting used to. In class, everyone is free to share opinions without judgment.
I’m the only Black person in my class, so people are interested in hearing Nigeria’s perspective on climate and disasters. I love it here.
On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in Canada?
I’d say 8.5, because it’s not rosy. As an immigrant, I have to work 10 times harder than a Canadian citizen. There’s also occasional bias people have towards me because I’m Black. But as Nigerians, we don’t give up easily; we show up and show out. The journey has had good, bad, and ugly moments, but it’s been worth it overall.
ALSO READ: He Moved to Canada with His Family as Permanent Residents, and He’s Loving It
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