Someone you know has left or is planning to leave. 1,000 Ways To Japa will speak to real people and explore the infinite number of reasons and paths they use to get to Japa
Leah (26) thought moving to the U.S. for school would change her life, but family pressure and mental health struggles forced her back to Nigeria. Now doing her master’s in the U.S., she shares how she made it back and how other Nigerian students can boost their visa chances.
Where do you live, and when did you move out of Nigeria?
I currently live in the United States of America. I’ve been here for a few years now, but the first time I left Nigeria was back in 2013. I first moved here for my undergraduate degree, though I ended up moving back to Nigeria.
Why did you choose to move back to Nigeria?
I thought I hated the U.S. I was struggling to adjust in ways I didn’t expect, especially with my mental health. I was diagnosed with an illness, and it shook me. I felt like I had done everything right, but I still struggled. One of my uncles decided I would be better off in Nigeria and arranged for me to move back. So, the return wasn’t entirely my choice.
At what point did you decide to return to the U.S.?
I came back in 2019. I only spent about seven months in Nigeria before returning for my master’s degree. I was still pre-med and trying to strengthen my medical school application, so I got a research-focused master’s.
Let’s talk a bit more about returning for your master’s. How did you approach it, and what are your strategies for people trying to do the same thing now?
The visa process is more complicated now, but it’s still possible to come to the U.S for your master’s. The admission part is relatively doable, but many people struggle to get the actual visa. I’ve seen people get scholarships or graduate assistantships and still get denied visas, often because they don’t have travel history or enough ties to Nigeria.
I advise people who don’t know how to start the process to start with research. This step is especially important if you don’t have a U.S. degree. You need to dig into what programs you’re eligible for, then identify five to ten schools and understand their requirements. Most U.S. schools will ask for two to five reference letters (from professors or former employers), your academic transcripts and a statement of purpose.
If you’re applying for Fall admission (around September), start planning by October of the previous year. Especially if you want funding, apply early before December. Another thing you should consider is networking. Reach out to professors before you apply. Research their work and send them emails. Build relationships so that when your application comes in, there’s a name and face they recognise.
Do you have any tips for securing the U.S student visa?
Travel history is important. You don’t have to have visited the U.S., but it helps if you’ve left Nigeria before. The U.S. embassy is less likely to give you a visa if they think you’re buying a one-way ticket. Your documentation is also important. Have a valid passport with at least one year to expiry. Show that you’re not just trying to escape Nigeria. Be clear on why their program is right for you and how it aligns with your goals.
Thank you! What does life look like for you now that you’re settled in again?
Honestly, life is good. I got my master’s, gave up on attending med school (which shocked a few family members), and now work at a contract research organisation. I’m also doing a second master’s degree and mentoring people looking to enter clinical research. I think I’m just more mature now. I know who I am and what I want. Back then, a lot of my decisions were made for me. Now, I make them for myself.
I love that for you. What are some perks of living in the U.S., especially for Nigerians?
It’s a diverse place. You’ll find Nigerians, Ghanaians, Indians, literally people from all over the world. That kind of exposure changes how you see life. You see life differently here, and your mind will be expanded.
What are some of your favourite things about living in the U.S.?
This might sound silly, but I love the seasons. In Nigeria, it’s either raining or it’s hot. Here, you get actual fall, winter, spring, and summer. Also, I’ve made friends from all kinds of backgrounds — Indian Americans, white folks, other immigrants. It has helped me discover parts of myself I might never have explored if I’d stayed in Nigeria, especially in terms of my identity. I now know who I am outside of my family. That’s something I value.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy would you say you are now in the U.S.?
I’d say 8.5. I’m pretty happy here.
Want to share your japa story? Please reach out to me here.
