Relocating to a foreign country is a life-altering decision, packed with excitement and challenges. Whether you’re moving for work, studies, or a fresh start, adjusting to a new culture and environment is never easy. The travel journal of most “Japaist” , that is, greener pasture seekers, is replete with tales of their woes and regrets, with many more not even alive to relay their stories. Albeit, living abroad may seem interesting to the uninitiated, it could also be daunting if you do not properly plan and prepare for it. From challenges of accommodation, language, culture shock, orientation, world view, to home sickness, illness, weather and finance. This article is aimed at providing a guide to Nigerians and others planning to relocate, of the steps to take to ensure a safe, legal migration devoid of the hazards, dangers and the perilous nature of the many migration journeys undertaking by Nigerians in their desire to relocate abroad. It also outlines the common travel problems and solutions to guide them as they embark on this milestone in their lives. It is aimed at preparing you for some challenges of living abroad that you may potentially face. And how to overcome those challenges so you can make the most of your life abroad. Here are some of the most common travel problems most Japaist encounter and ways to avoid them: The issue of little or no research. Most people relocate to other countries with little or no research about the destination country. No knowledge about the country, economic and political situation, security situation, level of employment, technological development, immigration laws and regulations, and disposition to foreigners and immigrants, especially Nigerians. Such interrogatives as, “Is the country in need of immigrant labour? Are their incentives to attract immigrant labour? Is there a particular sector of the economy in dire need of immigrant labour? What skill sets are in high demand in the country? What additional qualifications would put me in good stead to instantly get a job? Does my destination country require level one skill sets such as plumbing, electricians, mechanics and other artisans or technicians? Do they require professionals in the medical field or in the engineering field? These interrogatives are pertinent and efforts must be made to research and address these questions before you make your final decision on relocating.
Do I have the right visa or travel document? What is the visa requirement for immigrants planning to relocate to that country? Is there a specific visa type assigned by the country for immigrant labour? Is there a region in the country in need of immigrant labour? What visa incentives are available? Is your country eligible for such incentives? Is the destination country stringent on visa applications from your country? Upon arrival, how do I go about regularizing my stay in the country? Are there entities and companies that are dedicated to assisting immigrants settle down in the country? The solution to this problem is to research appropriately and robustly to answer these visa-related interrogatives. Also double-check information bandied around by tourist agents and touts about the heaven-like environment and jobs waiting for you stories by these agents and touts. Before embarking on your mission, ensure that the above questions are properly answered. If you don’t have the appropriate visa for certain countries, you will not be going anywhere either. Always officially check the visa requirements of your destination. Also before booking your travel plans, check the expiration date on your passport as well as the passport requirements of the destination country. Determine if there will be enough time remaining before your passport expires by the time you want to commence the regularization of your stay upon arrival in destination country. The last thing you want to hear is that the authorities cannot commence the regularization process because you don’t have enough time on your passport and you will be advised to get a new passport.
The right mindset. The first step in relocating abroad is having the right mindset. There is the need to acknowledge that it would be a slow and often times, painful process. It is difficult to let go off all that you have lived with all your life and make space for something new. A new place has its own beliefs, behaviours and patterns that could be partially or entirely different from the ones you might have seen till date. So it is expected that it will take time to embrace the change. While it could be a succor if you could cook your egusi soup with eba to go with it, given that you are used to eating it in your native country, it helps if you can also open your mind to new cuisine altogether.
Sharpen your Observation skills. Observation which simply means to not only see but also to be able to record what is being observed, is a critical step that can greatly enhance your chances of survival in a foreign country. So much can be learned by simply observing people, be it at a shopping mall, restaurants, subways or other public places. Observation would help discern a pattern among the locals which would help answer many questions how and why they do what they do. The Nigerian community in your destination country. The presence of Nigerians abroad is a two edged sword. That is, it is a situation or course of action that has both positive and negative effects. If properly harnessed, the large presence of Nigerians in that community could help ease your settling in the country. On the other hand, you will do well to be cautious and street smart and not fall for the very few Nigerians who could tap into your ignorance in hoodwinking you or putting you in trouble even before you start your stay in the country. Always ensure you are mingling with Nigerians who are on the right side of the law and not those who are advising you on how to cut corners and how to navigate the domestic laws and avoid paying tax as at when due, or on how to easily breach other regulations of the host country.
Not getting travel insurance. It is all too common for many Japaist to neglect the importance of getting an insurance cover. Travellers including Japaist incur unexpected emergencies and occurrences during their travels including such issues as unplanned medical expenses, medical evacuation, loss of luggage, change of plans, flight delays, and cancelled flights, among others. The surest way of handling these unforeseen emergencies and scenarios is to have travel insurance. Endeavour to read the fine print on the insurance policies, and select the plan that is best for your travels.
Never burn your bridges. It is all too common for people relocating abroad to get pompous and develop an air about them, even before eventual relocation abroad. Upon successful visa application most Japaist begin to show their true colour and become arrogant to old friends, acquaintances and relatives alike. It is advised that Japaist should endeavour to retain their old connections while building new ones. It is easy to get depressed and feel lonely in a foreign land. Your friends and family shall help you from falling into depression. Try not to isolate yourself before your eventual departure or upon your arrival at your destination country.
Explore the opportunities that some Organisations devoted to irregular migration can offer. Some organisations such as the Black Ancestral Native Communities (BANC) provide young Nigerians with access to resources, mentorship and funding opportunities to ease migration challenges. These resources is expected to help you prepare well for your destination country. Would be Japaist will do well to explore these opportunities and to better prepare themselves for the road ahead.
Never exchange all Money at the Airport. Japaist and travellers alike should never exchange all the money they are carrying on them at the airport. This is because all over the world the money exchange rate at the airport is usually much higher than it should be. Exchange the bare minimum local cash to get from the airport to your next spot. Once you can find a local currency exchange or bank in the town, exchange your money there as you will get a much better exchange rate than at the airport.
Carrying all your money in just one place. In line with the popular cliché, “Never put all your eggs in one basket”. It is risky to carry all of your money in only one place. If the money were to get lost or stolen, then it’s just all gone. Foreigners are usually the main target for pickpocketing in all countries across the globe. Be proactive and disperse your money in different places so that no matter what happens, you do not lose all the money that you have. Some great places to keep your money include anti-theft day bag, carry-on bag, socks, hotel room, Zipped pockets, and fanny pack.
Avoid ostentatious lifestyle upon arrival. Be prudentwith money and avoid ostentatious lifestyle upon arrival. Don’t be deceived that you have enough money to last you a lifetime. No money is enough to last you a lifetime if you are frivolous with your spending. Minimalism should be your mantra and only purchase items that you need and not what you want. The fact that you can buy it does not mean you can afford it. Avoid securing accommodation space in highbrow areas just to please some of your friends who are already living in that country. Avoid eating or dinning at restaurants that are nearby a major attraction as the prices will be exorbitant, and the food may even not taste good. There are exceptions, but generally speaking, avoid eating at the touristy restaurants unless you can afford it. More importantly, the authentic, local experience also comes with local prices and often times, much better food. To avoid this problem, have an open mind and patronize small, local restaurants as their foods may taste better, and cost much less than the tourist-trap restaurants.
Packing the right clothes. Robust knowledge of the weather upon arrival and for the first few months of your settlement is critical as it could determine your success or otherwise in your destination country. Proper and adequate preparation should include knowledge of the weather of your destination country. If you are arriving in winter be sure to have packed enough winter clothes to enable you survive and so that you don’t spend your meager resources on trying to purchase winter outfits. Winter outfits in most countries are on sale during spring and summer, but become expensive during winter due to high demand. This also applies to the type of clothes that you pack with you. If you go to a country without anticipating the climate or different cultures, you are likely to run into some problems. Packing the wrong clothes is a major travel mistake that is commonly made. If you are travelling to places like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates or other countries where strict dress codes are applied, be mindful of their rules and dress code and dress appropriately. Many times you will need to skip out on showing shoulders, tummies and legs. Bring clothing that will allow you to properly and respectfully cover up. You don’t want to end up disrespecting anyone’s culture and local customs because you packed the wrong attire. To avoid this problem, pack weather-appropriate clothes, and activity-appropriate clothes. If you plan to visit religious sites, pack layers to cover up with.
Language barrier. Your survival and success will largely depend on your mastery of the native language. As you decide on which country you want to relocate to, the next thing to do is to commence learning of the language of the destination country. To address this problem, learn basic phrases, use translation apps, and rely on body language. Devote precious time to learning the language, culture and history of your destination country. This knowledge will serve you well not only in your day to day interactions but also could speedup up your process of regularization and eventual citizenship, should you decide to apply for it. Robust knowledge of the language is usually a prerequisite of many countries for applicants of their citizenship. Be intentional and decisive to be law abiding and to live by the rules in your destination country. One of the most effective ways to survive living in a foreign country is to live by the laws, rules and regulations of the host country. One of the major impediments to a smooth and successful regularization of ones papers is the absence of legal breaches and violations by applicants. An applicant with incidents of breaches against the laws of the state is already destined to fail.
Connect with expatriates and other foreigners. Expatriates and other foreigners living in the country can be very helpful in helping you settle down and in easing your stay in that country. Their tips and experiences can be lifesaving when confronted by certain challenges in your destination country. More importantly, it is also easier to connect with them than with the local populace.
Adapt to the Work Culture. This could be problematic particularly if you are so stuck up with the culture of where you are coming from. In certain parts of the world such as Sweden and some of the Nordic countries, a flat organizational structure is in place. In this kind of environment your boss is your colleague and addressed on a first name basis. When big decisions are to be made, everyone affected by it would be included in the decision making process. In this setting it takes longer to reach a decision but once it is made, everyone is on board. They may not like the outcome, as it is impossible to please everyone, but at least they understand why the decision was made. In many other European countries, and perhaps more so in Asian countries, the work place is much more hierarchical. Your boss is addressed in a formal manner, and decisions are made quickly but often to the despair of workers who never get to hear the thoughts that went in to the process of making the decision. This divergent work cultures could be a major challenge for Japaist and others living in a foreign country.
Certification process in your destination country. If you plan to use your credentials and degrees in searching for a job in a foreign country, it could become problematic because of certification issues. Even after you’ve learned the language and understood work place differences, you may still have to go through a ton of paperwork and verification process or possibly go back to school because the certification process is different. Even if you know more than your local counterparts, your knowledge is worthless on the job market if you don’t have local certifications in place. To avoid this problem, research extensively on the certification process, the cost and duration for your profession and immediately commence the process of certification, if you need to. Knowledge of this process will enable you plan appropriately for it.
Orientation and city tour. Orientation is key when moving to a foreign country given that things work differently. How do you behave on a bus? How close can you be to someone in a bus. While in a place like Japan it is normal to be very close and even pressing on someone in a train or bus, it is not so in so many other parts of the world. How do you ask for directions when you don’t speak a mutual language? And hand signals are a minefield that is difficult to navigate. In some countries, for example in Bulgaria, a nod means NO and shaking your head means YES. The opposite of what it means in several other countries like Sweden. In many countries the locals are not used to being approached by strangers and so don’t willingly help. Similarly, if you are from a country like that it can be difficult to approach strangers even if the country you are in is very open and willing to help. Social life and setting. If you don’t speak the language and come from a different cultural background, social inclusion can be difficult. If you are relocating for school or work, the odds are that you will have peers who find themselves in a similar situation, and if the place you are studying or working at is used to foreigners they are usually quite open and understanding. Dealing with home sickness. This is one of the most common challenges Japaist face abroad. People react differently when they are in a completely new environment or country far away from home. Everyone experiences different forms of home sickness, some worse than others. I ranges from missing your family, friends, or food back home, not adjusting well to the new country you relocated to, or simply just wanting to go back home to visit. It is perfectly fine to feel home sick and it doesn’t make you weak nor does it mean you are not cut out to live abroad. To overcome home sickness while living abroad, you must focus on the present, not the past. Think of all the new things, and people you are going to experience or meet, take up new hobbies and go out more often rather than staying at home alone all day. Remind yourself why you moved abroad in the first place. Just know it is no shame to miss home, and there is definitely no shame if you feel like its too much and going home is the only way to overcome this. Means of communication. Albeit you are relocating abroad, communication is critical in the first few days of your arrival and while you are still trying to set up your structure on how to live abroad. Ensure the issue of how you are going to stay in touch and communicate in your new environment and those you left behind is sorted out as part of your preparation plans. Purchasing a local SIM card is pertinent in this regard. However, you must have done your research on which network is pocket friendly while still enabling you to maintain contact with those you left behind at home. Flight delays and Cancellations. Flight delays and cancellations are some of the most annoying travel problems that can completely disrupt your travel plans. To manage this frustrating travel issues, always plan for some extra time in your schedule, familiarize yourself with your airline’s policies regarding delays and cancellations, and have travel insurance.
By and large, in relocating abroad, the problems and challenges raised above could be daunting if not adequately addressed. One thing becomes abundantly clear: preparation is pertinent to successfully living abroad. By taking the time to anticipate potential challenges and plan accordingly, you can mitigate many of the issues that new arrivals or “Johnny Just Come” encounter when they relocate abroad. Bon voyage and stay connected with TravelintelHub.com for all your travel-related intel. Remember, Information is power!
