Someone you know has left or is planning to leave. 1,000 Ways To Japa speaks to real people and explores the endless reasons and paths they take to japa.
Ifeoma* ( 25) has always wanted to pursue a master’s degree abroad, so when she found out she could study her course of choice for less than ₦6 million in Poland, she wasted no time in applying. In this story, she shares how she moved, how much it cost her, and how it feels to live in Poland.
Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?
I live in Poland. I left Nigeria in September 2025
That’s amazing, congratulations!
Thank you.
Before you left, what was your life like in Nigeria?
Honestly, I wouldn’t say I had a lot of Nigerian experience after school because I graduated in October 2022. I waited to be called for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), went to camp around April 2023, and got a job after camp. It was a short period before moving on to my master’s. So I didn’t really have a “Lagos life” or the full hustle experience because I was transitioning from school to a master’s program.
Got it. So what inspired your decision to leave Nigeria?
After school, I worked in finance. My office was close to my dad’s, so he would drop me off and pick me up. The work was interesting. I learned a lot about global stocks and trades, which was different from my degree in estate management. But the main reason I wanted to leave was always related to my plan to do a master’s abroad.
That makes sense. So why Poland? That seems like a unique choice.
Honestly, Poland wasn’t in my plan at first. My parents prayed, and somehow my mom and brother stumbled upon the opportunity to study there. We found some YouTube videos, and Poland seemed perfect.
I wanted a program focused on Public Relations, advertising, and branding, and Poland offered a Communication Management master’s that fit exactly what I wanted.
So how did you actually end up in Poland? Was it through a scholarship or self-funding?
I came here for my master’s. It wasn’t a scholarship; my parents helped me pay the school fees.
For Nigerians curious about coming to Poland, can you walk us through the step-by-step process?
The process started in October last year after graduation. I needed to get an English proficiency statement sent directly to the university. Then I had to authorise my BSc certificate, official transcript, and NYSC certificate with the Federal Ministry of Education. Since I couldn’t collect my transcripts directly, they were sent to Abuja for authorisation. After that, the Polish embassy legalised these documents.
I applied to my school in March this year, wrote a statement of purpose, and got admission within two weeks. Then I started my visa process, which required a trip to Abuja because there’s no Polish embassy in Lagos. My visa was approved in June, and I left Nigeria in September.
I would emphasise that anyone going abroad should follow the visa process strictly and avoid shortcuts or mistakes.
Can you share tips on finding the right school and writing a statement of purpose?
For me, choosing a school was based on three things: the course combination, the tuition, living costs, and safety. Poland is one of the safest countries in Europe.
For the statement of purpose, I explained who I am, why I’m interested in the course, what I’ve done so far, and how the master’s program will help me achieve my future goals.
Can you give a cost breakdown of what it took for you to study in Poland?
Roughly, flights cost around ₦1.4 million with extra luggage fees of about ₦325,000. My school fees were around €3,650–3,750. Sending transcripts to Abuja via DHL costs about ₦50,000. Other costs, like food, vary depending on lifestyle.
How would you describe the quality of education there?
It’s very good. Classes are interactive, professors encourage discussions, and everyone learns from each other. No one is “wrong” for having a different opinion. There are also extracurricular activities like sports. I’ve had no issues with locals, and people have been very helpful.
How has it been adjusting to a new country?
Honestly, from the airport, I was crying. Leaving my parents was hard. The cold was also a big shock; it’s very different from Nigeria. But the city is well-organised, and after adjusting to the cold, other things became manageable.
Have you experienced any other cultural shock?
People here don’t do small talk. Everyone minds their business, which is different from Nigeria, where casual greetings are common. In Poland, everyone just goes about their day.
Would you recommend Poland to other Nigerians?
Yes, but experiences may vary. For me, it’s a really nice place.
Do you see yourself staying there long-term as a Nigerian?
Yes, as a student, there are opportunities through career services. My goal is to share my experience as a Black girl in Poland on social media so others know what to expect.
On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in Poland?
Right now, about seven or eight. I miss my parents a lot, so that affects my happiness a little, but overall, I’m adjusting.
Want to share your japa story? Please reach out to me here.
