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.
Madu* (25) ditched his degree in Chemistry to chase his passion for writing, and it turned out to be the best decision. Years later, he shares how he received a fully funded scholarship to study Creative Writing in the USA.
Where do you currently live, and when did you move out of Nigeria?
I arrived in the United States of America in August 2025. I currently live in Tennessee.
What opportunity helped you move to where you currently are?
I got a funded opportunity to move here for my master’s degree, an MFA in Creative Writing.
Before we talk about your studies, let’s touch on your life in Nigeria. What was life like for you there?
Well, I’d say my life in Nigeria was pretty normal. I studied Chemistry for my undergraduate degree, but I already knew that I probably wouldn’t build a career in it.
The opportunities in chemistry in Nigeria are quite limited, and the financial rewards, especially in the early years after graduation, don’t always match your expectations.
So, I had been writing for about a decade, but I didn’t exactly know how to put structure in my work like many other young Nigerian writers. I was freelancing a lot.
Then, the year before I graduated, we had that long nine-month academic strike. During that period at home, I spent a lot of time on LinkedIn, and that was when I discovered marketing. I realised my skills in copywriting, content writing, and research could fit perfectly in marketing.
That was how I got into content marketing after I graduated. I mostly worked remotely, which I loved.
[newsletter type=z-daily]What inspired you to apply for a master’s in Creative Writing since you have a STEM background?
I think the idea started around 2021. I was having conversations with other Nigerian writers, and I became curious about MFA programs. I realised it was possible to pursue structured writing education even if you didn’t study Literature in university.
At the time, I was working as a freelancer, but I kept researching the MFA space, especially how African writers were navigating it.
I wanted to see how the programs shaped their writing and what sacrifices they made to get in. By the time I started applying, I had already gathered enough information from following those journeys closely.
Let’s talk about your application process. What was that journey like from finding schools to moving to the U.S?
It happened in stages — the application stage, the acceptance stage, and finally the travel stage.
For the application, it’s similar to STEM programs in some ways, but the main difference is funding. In creative programs like the MFA, many schools in the U.S. offer full funding, which means you don’t have to pay tuition. Instead, you work as a teaching or graduate assistant for two to three years.
I started by researching schools that offered fully funded MFAs. I found out that a few schools preferred applicants with English degrees, which made my chances slimmer. Others required the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or specific writing portfolios.
Because I came from a STEM background, I knew I needed a strong writing sample. I joined an advanced writers’ fellowship put together by SprinNG, where we learned how to write cover letters, personal statements, and academic CVs. I worked closely with a mentor who reviewed my writing sample before I submitted it.
Application fees were also expensive, around $50 to $70 per school, so I primarily focused on schools that offered fee waivers. I still had to pay the fees for a few schools, but the waivers were helpful.
Another tricky part was recommendation letters. Many young Nigerian writers are self-taught and don’t have professors from literature departments to recommend them. I reached out to people who had known me for years in writing and marketing to speak about my growth and skills.
I also had to write a strong statement of purpose. Every school had different word limits, so I tailored each one carefully.
By November, I had submitted most of my applications. Some schools had open applications until January.
I started getting responses by March. My first feedback was a rejection, which hurt a bit. But two weeks later, I got my first acceptance, and that lifted my spirits.
Once you get accepted, you get a few months to decide which school to choose. After accepting, the school sends your I-20 document, which you use to apply for a visa. That entire process can take about 1–3 months, sometimes longer.
Honestly, that waiting period was the most frustrating part because it’s out of your control. You can write great essays and submit everything on time, but once it’s visa and travel time, you just have to wait and hope.
For people applying for MFA courses this year, how would you advise them to approach the application process?
Focus on creating solid writing samples, essays, and documents. You should also find a community of people that can hold you accountable. Join workshops or writing groups. The process can get lonely, and you’ll need people to share advice and opportunities with.
You should also do your research. Don’t just apply anywhere. Research the program, the faculty, and even the city. You’ll be living there for years, so make sure it’s somewhere you’ll be comfortable.
If, for example, you’re applying to five schools, make sure they’re all places you’d genuinely be happy to attend. Many writers tend to prefer tier one schools, but it’s important that you’d still be comfortable going to any of the schools you apply to.
So, look into things like demographics and how welcoming the area is to international students. Some states have larger international student communities, which can make your adjustment easier.
Don’t overlook smaller or less popular programs just because they don’t seem “elite.” What matters most is finding a place where you’ll thrive academically and personally.
What has life been like since moving to the U.S?
It’s been interesting. I remember waking up one morning, seeing it was dark, and instinctively wondering if there was light. Then I laughed because, of course, there was, since electricity is constant here. Little things like that remind me how much growing up in Nigeria shapes how we think.
Sometimes I step out and realise almost no one around looks like me, which can feel strange. There’s no generator noise, no loud neighbours, no impromptu street parties. I got to the U.S. two weeks before classes started, which gave me time to settle in.
It’s a lot of reading and writing. For one class alone, we read a whole book weekly and write responses. It’s demanding but fulfilling.
The campus is also very sports-focused. Their football stadium is bigger than many football stadiums globally. So sometimes, the weekends are full of games and campus events.
I’m still adjusting to the food though. I miss Nigerian food. I even miss things like garri, which I didn’t eat much before. Now, I’d do anything to see ewedu and amala.
On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in the U.S?
I’d say about eight. The structure here makes life easier. For example, one time I needed to work on a presentation, and the campus library had everything I needed immediately. That’s something that might not happen easily back home. So yeah, I’m happy, grateful, adjusting, and learning every day.
Want to share your japa story? Please reach out to me here.
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