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Nigeria

lifestyle

UK Living – Reality Of Living Abroad

Earlier this year, I watched a video where a lady left the UK to Nigeria to start a business. She believed her business was going to make more profit back home (Nigeria).

I’ve also spoken with few people, who said they prefer life back in their home countries.

What could be the reason behind their sudden change in plans? Most people come into the UK with big plans, why the sudden change to go back home?

Personally, I believe people have high expectations before arrival in the UK, and when things don’t go the way they expect, they start panicking.

Life generally comes with ups and downs, but the way we react to the suitations we face, determines how we’ll scale through.

I’ve shared some messages I got from people about life suitations abroad and how they feel. I got these messages when I once shared a post on my story on Instagram, and I got some messages from people who shared similar experiences. I’ve decided to share three messages I received with y’all.

Names have been changed for data protection.

Rose, from Belgium. Currently Living in London.

“I also felt like that when I moved to London for the first year, but then when I left because of work I realised that I actually had found lots of hapiness and a new family there. However, I had too many expectations to look at it properly.
I’m from Belgium. Lived in London and totally loved it but had to leave for work in Paris. However, Paris is not a city I ever really dreamt of but work opportunity was great. Yeah London is loneliness is real, but I feel like it’s the same in every big cities although once you meet people in London they’re usually quite nicer than in other cities haha”. (Back in London)

Oyin, From Nigeria currently living in the US.

“The major problem is that people have high hopes on obodo Oyinbo even before arriving.
They think it’s all rosy here especially coming from Africa. So when they come and realise it’s not all perfect abroad too, the hustle here the bills and the fact that loneliness here is on another level scares the hell outta them. They literally feel abroad is 100 percent okay, and hence the disappointment when they see the struggle here upon arrival”.

Davidson, from Nigeria. Currently Living in London.

Life here is boring. I don’t know why people are here. They spend most of their lives working and paying bills, doing less valuable jobs. Okay! They are making money yea, but the money goes back to the UK system. I don’t see myself living here permanently. I might just be shuffling between Nigeria and UK.

Finally, a little advice from Presh

If you just arrived in the UK, and you’re trying to find your balance, it might take a while, but keep your head up. You’ve got to find your own happiness, do what you love and be where you want, look beyond the present suitation and focus on why you’re at your present location. Draft out a plan and never leave God out of your decisions.

Please share your abroad experience below, we’ll love to read your story.

lifestyle

Studying in the UK | International students (Nigeria)

As an international student, you’ll find an array of exciting experiences ahead of you and will have the opportunity to discover places in the the United kingdom and meet new people.

As the UK is a cosmopolitan city, you’ll find that many UK customs are already familiar.
If you’re a Nigerian, don’t stress it! you will settle down quickly. You will find Nigerians everywhere so don’t worry about being lonely. Don’t be surprised if you find more than 5 Nigerians in your class.

As a Nigerian studying in the UK, it was really easy for me to get along because I see my fellow Nigerians everywhere, this enabled me get along easily.

Most Universities in the UK have a large community of international students and these Universities understand that relocating to a new country can be a challenge. Students coming from Nigeria can find a range of advice right on the schools website, student union, or school’s social media page. Most universities in the UK have the “Nigerian Society” so you can always connect with people there.

One major thing that help students here is your ability to socialise, I learnt during my first few months of arrival that talking and socialising with people can help you know more and learn better. Don’t be a one man battalion, you need to get along with people to help scale through here in the UK, at least for the first few months after your arrival.

Here, everything is online, you can easily reach people through emails and through social media. Internet is free! So use it like you own it!

Also, be friendly, smile, go out! Go to seminars, society group, learning groups. Hang out with people. Because that’s how you hear about more information and learn more.

The learning method here is also very different from Nigeria and most countries. So you need to ask questions to know and learn. Everything becomes easy when you ask. Overall the UK is a beautiful place to study and live. I’m sure you will enjoy your stay here and if you’re planning to apply to a university in the UK, I think you are on the right path to your next big achievement.

Please comment below and if you’re currently studying in the UK, please share some ideas or your thoughts. I’ll love to see your comment.

lifestyle

London: The UK’s Lagos

There is no doubt many Nigerians are finding their new haven in England.

A country, at this point blessed with better economic and social conditions despite news of a possible Brexit. England just like Germany has accommodated a countless number of Nigerians. Just taking a walk on the streets of london, there you will find many Nigerians.

For me, London is the second home of Nigerians living in England.
According to sources, Peckham has become a center of Nigerian-British life and culture in London. Peckham is also called, “mini Lagos” and this is because there is nothing in Lagos that you will not find in this area.

In London, Nigerians have formed communities and not only in London, also in cities like Manchester, Birmingham and also other popular cities.

On the streets of london, there you’ll find many Nigerians. I made new friends just by walking on the streets. Walking on the streets you will even hear lots of Nigerian names being called. Like “Bimbo, ba wo ni”? Honestly, It feels like home. Hearing your local language makes you feel at home.

Nigerians also come in to school, well, UK is closer to Africa. 6 hours flight and you’re in the UK. Many Nigerians also have relatives abroad which make it easier for them to relocate.
Honestly, seeing lots of Nigerians on the streets of London makes one happy and you feel like you’re home.

Also, many Nigerians have being living in the United Kingdom, the Nigerian community grows bigger daily and lots of Nigerians keep coming into the UK either to school, work, or to visit.

lifestyle

7 Months Off Instagram: Here’s what I’ve learned

Instagram is a space I use to document my personal brand: My blog posts, pictures, write-ups, travel stories, faith journey and of course some of my winter-inspired fashion pictures. Admittedly, I post three to four times a week, but I have never felt addicted. There was this positive flow I felt on Instagram and I like it.

I found social media to be a positive place to find my online community. On Instagram I post what I like and I guess most of my followers like what I post too. It gets really interactive when I post pictures so I guess they love it.

I post mostly about the environment, pictures of myself and beautiful UK structures which I have falling in love with.

Well, after a while, I got busy with work and I realised I wasn’t going on Instagram like I used to do in the past few weeks. I then decided to give myself a total break from Instagram.
I stopped posting pictures and also stopped engagements on Instagram since February this year until September!

Now this is what I Learned from my Instagram break.

1) Instagram makes you lazy:

After going off Instagram, I realised I accomplished more. Daily work was done quickly. I had time to do so much. Wasn’t online as I used to so I had the time to finish up things around the house and look after myself more.

2) I became more productive:

Bored? Tired? Procrastinating a task I didn’t want to do? Lonely and craving connection?
There’s more to do in life than just sitting and going through other people’s Instagram profile and you’d figure out that you’ve got so much in you, you’ve got to offer offline.

3) I realised my post were quite relevant but I could do more:

Going off Instagram, I learned more on how to be more engaging with my followers and how I could add more content to my profile because offline I had more time to be creative and I learned more from the outside environment.

4) You’ve got a life outside Instagram:

I also found out that my life experience was much more valuable and nourishing than the interruption that comes from pausing to style, frame and take a picture.

5: You can achieve anything:

I did it! I was off Instagram for a while and I’m alive! This proves to me that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. It’s easy…..Go for it and you’d achieve it.