HOW TO ADAPT TO YOUR NEW COUNTRY AS A NIGERIAN STUDENT ABROAD
Congratulations! You have successfully scaled through the admission and visa processes and now on your way to resume your study abroad. This is one of the best times in your life. It is therefore important that you make it count for as much as you can.
Settling down quickly in your host country may not be an easy task but it is indeed very possible. You may have been used to the Nigerian way of doing things but now you have to admit that things have changed.
Your ability to excel will be determined by how well and quickly you can adapt to your new environment. This is why in this article was written.
We shall be looking at the steps that you can take in order to adapt to your host country.
1. Choose your residence wisely:
When selecting a place to live, make sure it is in a safe area. When in doubt, ask the locals or even a taxi driver. Taxi drivers are a hidden resource for information that we most time ignore when we move into a new city or country
Depending on the size of your pocket, you could actually choose to stay off-campus. However, do not be more than five kilometers away so you can always get to school on time.
Obviously, the best place to stay would be on campus. However, if you decide to stay off campus for one reason or another, try to avoid losing out on assignments, term papers, study groups and other opportunities.
You should remember that you are in your host country to study and as such, put that into consideration in your choice of residence.
2. Register at the Nigerian Embassy:
The Nigerian embassy or consulate is responsible for Nigerians who living in the country in which that embassy is hosted. Registering with the embassy will allow them to know that you.
The Nigerian Embassy can always link you up to one person, group or any other resource that you may need while you’re in your host country.
Make sure you visit the embassy to ask questions or make enquiries in any area that is not very clear to you.
You can even gain access to sources financial aid and many other opportunities if you are in good contact with the Nigerian Embassy.
3. Join a student organization:
One great benefit of a student organization the opportunity to network. You will meet students from diverse departments, make connections and build relationships.
If you are looking for a student job, your organization can be of great help. You are all part of the same organization and have almost the same interest.
Such connection is invaluable! It is an opportunity to boost your communication skill and emotional intelligence.
4. Learn the language of your host country:
Learning the official language of your host country is critical to your academic success.
Also, socializing with other students will be extremely difficult if you cannot speak the local language.
You can consider yourself lucky if the local language is English or English language is widely spoken there. You would be at a better advantage to be able to mix well with your peers.
5. Learn about the student affairs department:
Learning all you can about the student affairs department of the school is extremely important. This is because student affairs counselors have been trained to communicate with students; especially the new ones.
They can put you through everything that you need for settling down. Student affairs are there to ensure that your study period is comfortable!
6. Adapt to your host country’s food:
This of course one of  the first issues to attend to when you land. This is because the cost of eating typical Nigerian foods in diaspora would most likely not be within the range of your pockets.
So, before you board the plane, do your research on the kinds of food available in you host country. Also look out for where Nigerian food is sold. However, Nigerian food is usually very expensive once it crosses the border!
7. Know the emergency numbers:
This is critical!
You can never tell when and where you would need them.
Emergency services always include the police, fire services and ambulance services. Memorize them; keep them in your bag or wallet.
In short, just have them handy. Also remember that many countries have a common number for accessing emergency services.
8. Make friends:
Your class mates are those that will provide you with almost all the vital information you will need on a daily basis. Mingling with them is therefore very crucial.
Move very close to your class representative too. He is closer to the academic staff of your college or university.
Build relationship with your instructors and lecturers also. Â It will be extremely helpful on your way to academic success.
If you like the lecturer, you will like the course. It is that simple.
You will also need to make friends outside the academic environment. Therefore, you need to build healthy relationship with people in the areas you live.
9. Join study groups:
Study groups provide a way for social and academic interactions with people who are aiming at good academic grades.
If you’re going to adapt to your new country as a Nigerian student and get good grades at the same time, joining a study groups in a short space of time is your best bet.
You will find your best study buddies and others as well integrate yourself within the campus community.
10. Locate a center of your faith or your religious organization:
People get along easily with other people of the same faith.
Joining a faith based organization helps you to be able to connect to the local community and network easily.
It also affords you the opportunities to share important issues that might be bordering your mind.
Summarily, adapting quickly to your new country is a great experience. You will get to taste new foods, meet new people, do new stuff, and go to new places. You will see life from a fresh perspective.
Do you have any other ideas on how to adapt to a new country? What have you done to adapt quickly? What advice do you have for others who are trying to settle down? Do not hesitate to share in the comment box. Thank you!
