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  • 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

    Tori* (24) had never imagined herself studying in France while growing up in a middle-class Nigerian home, but when the opportunity came, she took it. Three years later, she’s grateful that she can access world-class education for as low as €250. 

    If you’re considering studying abroad in 2026, Tori thinks  you should consider France, and she has shared how to apply to study there: 

    Perks of studying in France

    Students in France enjoy several benefits, including scholarships and financial aid for those facing economic challenges. The government also provides housing support through a system called Caisse d’Allocation Familiale (CAF), which can cover up to half of your rent. You can apply for CAF once school resumes, and if approved, the government will help pay your rent directly.

    Some schools also provide free healthcare, while many grocery stores give students discounts under certain conditions. Students who prove they are facing financial hardship can also go to Resto du Cœur for free groceries. Once considered eligible for the assistance, you’ll receive a card that lets you collect food items once a week.

    Cost breakdown of studying in France

    According to Tori, tuition at public universities in France is relatively affordable. 

    • Undergraduate programs cost about €150 per year, while master’s programs, which usually run for two years, cost around €250 annually. 
    • Nigerian students need proof that they can financially support themselves. French authorities typically require evidence of at least €6,000 in your account for the first year.

    Finding accommodation before moving can be tricky, so consider alternatives like asking a friend in France for support or booking an Airbnb for your first month.

    In your visa application, you can explain that you’ll secure permanent housing after arrival. Proof of accommodation is crucial for visa approval, and your application could be rejected without it.

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    How to apply to French universities from Nigeria

    Tori recommends applying directly to universities instead of relying on agents. France offers several English-taught programs, and while applications can technically be submitted independently, the process is much smoother when handled through Campus France, the official intermediary for Nigerian students. 

    • Visit the Campus France website.
    • Browse the school catalogues.
    • Identify a course and a university that match your goals.
    • Check the school’s website or email to confirm their specific admission requirements. Some universities manage applications directly through their platforms, while others require students to apply through Campus France.
    • Once an admission offer is secured, Campus France provides support with the visa application process. 

    According to Tori, many applicants assume they can skip this step, but unlike the United Kingdom, where direct applications to universities are typical, French schools almost always require involvement from Campus France at some stage.

    Applications typically open between October and December, so preparation should begin early. Tuition at most private universities ranges from €2,770 to  €3,770 per year, making them relatively affordable compared to other European countries. As part of the application, candidates must also attend a physical interview at the Campus France office in Lagos or Abuja.

    For intending students already living in France, there is an alternative platform called Mon Master, which is designed to simplify applications for international students residing in the country.

    What to expect as a Nigerian student in France

    According to Tori, studying in France can feel fancy, especially in Paris, where it’s easy to find English speakers. Cities like Lille and Strasbourg are also beautiful and great for international students. 

    In French classrooms, projectors are the standard for teaching, and most students rely on their laptops to download notes rather than writing them out in notebooks. The academic calendar also moves much faster than in Nigeria. 

    Culturally, the French are very open and also highly sporty. Cycling is a standard mode of transportation. Many students learn to ride bikes while studying in France because it’s a big part of daily life, and it’s not unusual to see people biking to school or work.

    Overall, Tori gives her experience of studying in France 7/10. 

     Want to share your japa story? Please reach out to me here.

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  • 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. 

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    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).

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  • 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

    Stephanie (26) moved to France in 2023 and never looked back. In this story, she shares how Nigerians can study in France for as low as €150 and enjoy other benefits like discounted rents and subsidized cost of living.

    Where do you currently live, and when did you move from Nigeria?

    I live in France, and I left Nigeria in September 2023.

    France is so random. How did that happen?

    I moved through the Language Assistance Program. It’s an opportunity for language students with a solid background in French to spend seven months in France teaching French people how to speak English. The program is open to people from different African countries like Kenya, South Africa, and others. Nigeria joined the program in 2020.

    Tell me more about this program

    Language assistants work hand-in-hand with teachers in French schools. Our job is mainly to assist students by communicating with them in English. It’s not a full-time role since the program only lasts seven months.

    How were you able to stay back in France?

    I initially applied to renew my contract but later changed my mind because teaching English wasn’t my long-term goal. I wanted something better, so I applied to universities in France. Thankfully, I got accepted into a university where I’m now pursuing a master’s degree.

    Congratulations! Can you describe the process of applying to study in France?

    First, I wouldn’t recommend the language assistant program as a relocation strategy because it’s short-term and requires a strong background in French, which many Nigerians don’t have. Instead, I recommend applying directly to universities. France offers English-taught programs, and while you can apply to schools on your own, it’s easier to go through Campus France, which acts as an intermediary for students in Nigeria.

    To apply, visit the Campus France website, browse the school catalogues, and find the perfect program. If you get admitted, Campus France will help with your visa application process. A lot of people think they can skip Campus France, but French universities aren’t like UK schools, where you can apply independently. At some point, you’ll need to go through Campus France.

    Applications typically open between October and December, and most public schools charge around €250 as school fees. You’ll also have to attend a physical interview in Lagos or Abuja, so keep that in mind.

    My case was slightly different because I applied through Mon Master, a platform for foreigners already living in France.

    What are some perks of studying in France?

    Students in France enjoy several benefits, like scholarship opportunities. Financial aid is also provided upon request for students facing financial challenges. The French government also provides housing assistance through a system called Caisse d’Allocation Familiale (CAF), which covers up to half of your rent. You can apply for CAF once school starts; once approved, the government helps pay your rent.

    Schorlaship plus rent? Woah!

    Yes. Some schools also offer free healthcare. Plus, there are discounts for students, especially for groceries. My friends and I signed up for a grocery store called Esope, where students get major discounts. You can spend just €5 buying a lot of items. However, you can’t spend more than €12 per week, and some items have limits. There’s also Resto du Cœur, which provides free groceries for students who can prove financial hardship. Once approved, you get a card that allows you to collect food once a week.

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    How different is the French education system compared to Nigeria?

    It’s very different. I attended a federal university in Nigeria, and we barely had access to projectors. Here, all classes are taught with projectors—it’s the standard. Most students use their computers in class, downloading notes instead of writing them down in actual books. The academic calendar is also much faster than in Nigeria.

    Let’s break down the costs for Nigerians interested in studying in France.

    Public university tuition in France is relatively cheap. Undergraduate programs cost around €150 per year, while master’s programs, which typically last two years, cost €250 annually. However, if you’re coming from Nigeria, you need to prove you have enough funds to support yourself. The French authorities usually require proof of at least €6,000 in your account for your first year.

    Securing accommodation from Nigeria can also be tricky. If you have a friend in France, it’s best to ask them to help you sort this out. Otherwise, you might need to book an Airbnb for a month and explain in your visa application that you’ll find permanent housing upon arrival. Showing proof of accommodation is so crucial for visa approval that not having it could lead to rejection.

    Is life in France as fancy as it sounds?

    It can be, especially in Paris, where there are many English speakers. Paris is not the only cool place in France. The country has other beautiful cities that international students often overlook, like Lille and Strasbourg. Unfortunately, I spent my first year in a small city where most people were either very old or really young, so I barely had friends my age. It was boring.

    Has anything surprised you since moving to France?

    Oh yes! French people are very open—they have no problem asking personal questions within minutes of meeting you. They’re also very sporty. I learned how to ride a bike here because everyone seems to use bikes for transportation. When I was still a language assistant, I used to ride my bike to school.

    Another culture shock is kissing. French people love to kiss on the cheek as a greeting, even to people they’re meeting for the first time. I’m still not a fan because I never know which side to go for, and I’m always scared of accidentally kissing someone on the lips instead of the cheek.

    Also, your classmates are just your classmates. In Nigeria, you can make solid friendships in class, but here, people rarely hang out outside school. You can talk in class, but if you see them outside, they might act like they don’t know you. They also won’t invite you to anything social.

    LMAO. How hard is it for monolingual Nigerians to fit into the French community?

    I know a few Nigerians who don’t speak French, and they survive using Google Translate. It’s possible to figure things out. You can also register for French classes as soon as you arrive.

    Have you made friends with other Nigerians in France?

    Yes! It was easy for me because I started as an assistant and met other Nigerian assistants. Some of them stayed back, and we maintained our friendships. Luckily, some even got into the same school as me, so we stuck with each other. As I mentioned earlier, French students aren’t very open to friendships outside class, so having Nigerian friends has been a lifesaver. I hope to make more French friends in the future, though.

    On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy are you in France?

    I’d say a 7. It could be higher, but the administrative process here is frustrating. Whether it’s renewing your visa or job hunting, there’s a high chance you’ll get stressed out dealing with the French process of getting things done.

     Want to to share your japa story? Please reach out to me here. 

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