For most people wanting to leave Nigeria, it is all about deciding the country they want to go to, applying for a visa, and then packing up and leaving. However, the reality is more than just that, except you want your life to turn out for the worse after leaving.
In this article, we are taking a look at some things you must not fail to do before you japa from Nigeria in order to get yourself prepared for leaving and help you settle properly in the country of your choice.
Things You Must Do Before You Japa
1. Get yourself mentally ready
Before leaving Nigeria for any other country in the world, the first and most important thing to do is to get yourself mentally ready. This is important because once you leave your home country for another, you will leave behind your life as it used to be for something entirely alien.
Unless you are prepared that you will not see your family members and friends for a long time, that you will be isolated and struggle with no help in another country, the challenges that come with leaving will hit you harder than they would someone who is mentally prepared.
2. Acquire new skills
The skills you have acquired will be very important if you are leaving Nigeria for another country. It will open doors for you and help you get good opportunities. Hence, it is important to get new skills and, if possible, improve on the skills you have acquired through the years.
3. Know all the documentation you need and get it
To avoid situations that will leave you frustrated, it is important to research all the documents you need for the type of visa you are applying for and get all the documents ready. Failure to do this has led many Nigerians to have their visas rejected.
Apart from your documents, also get all supporting documents together, and when you are set to leave the country, go along with all your documents.
4. Research the country you are going to
There are no two countries that are the same in the world. Therefore, rather than assuming that the country you are heading to will be just a continuation of your life, take the time to research the country. Try to know about its weather, people, laws, and everything else there is to know.
It is impossible to know all about a country from such research, but the most you can know will help you prepare and adjust mentally for what you are likely to experience. It will not be a walk into the darkness for you.
See Also: My Japa Story: Leaving Nigeria For Canada Was My Best Move
5. Set your goals right
The main goal for many Nigerians leaving the country is just to leave the country, and nothing more. This will only lead to an unhappy and unfulfilling life as you japa. Instead, set goals that you will pursue as you leave Nigeria.
This may be in the form of working towards getting permanent residency, moving to another country from there, spending a number of years before coming back to Nigeria, or changing your economic story and that of those depending on you. Having the right goals will give you a sense of purpose and the drive to face whatever may come your way in your new country.
6. Plan your finances well
There is the belief that once you step your feet out of Nigeria, your financial status will change almost immediately, and you will start making money. There is nothing more untrue. A lot of Nigerians have struggled for a long time after leaving the country because they did not plan financially.
Ensure that you have some money that will take you for a period until you secure a job and settle in your new country.
7. Be prepared to accept, learn, and unlearn a lot of things
Leaving Nigeria means a lot of things. It means leaving the people you know, the culture, the way of doing things, and a lot more behind. It also means accepting a new culture, way of doing things, laws, and much more.
Therefore, as you are preparing to leave Nigeria, you must be ready to unlearn a lot of things that are considered normal in Nigeria and set your mind on learning and accepting new things in your host country.
