by Everyone dreams of Japa—leaving Nigeria for better study abroad opportunities, scholarships, or jobs—but few truly understand the resilience, rejection, and consistency it takes. This is my authentic Japa story: how I walked the walk through countless rejections and finally unlocked scholarships abroad. Here are lessons and tips for Japa that may help you on your migration journey.
The Reality of Japa
If you live in Nigeria, you must have heard of Japa. It is more than just traveling abroad—it is a migration journey filled with resilience, rejection, and determination. Many people want scholarships abroad, study abroad opportunities, or simply a fresh start. But the truth is that Japa is not a wish list; it is a doing thing. It requires daily effort, patience, and the courage to keep applying even when rejection becomes routine.
My Story: From Political Science to Japa Dreamer
Back in university, my professors often reminded us that there were no jobs waiting for Political Science graduates. Many of my classmates accepted that narrative. But I refused. I knew no one was coming to save me—not the government, not my professors, not even my family.
If I wanted to Japa, I had to make it happen myself.
The Four-Hour Rule
I created a personal system: every day, I dedicated four hours to scholarship and job applications.
- Searching for scholarships abroad
- Researching study abroad opportunities in countries beyond the obvious
- Preparing for IELTS and GRE exams
- Writing job tests for KPMG and Accenture
I had two plans: secure a scholarship (Plan A) or land a job that could fund my migration journey (Plan B).
Rejection and Resilience
Here’s the truth: I was rejected so many times I lost count.
Scholarship denials
Visa refusals
“We regret to inform you” emails
Sometimes, no response at all
At first, the rejections hurt deeply. But over time, I began to see them differently. Each rejection was not a dead end—it was training. It sharpened my essays, improved my interview skills, and toughened my mindset.
Then one day, the long-awaited email arrived. I got a scholarship. Not just any scholarship, but a life-changing one. That single “yes” erased years of “no.”
Lessons From My Japa Journey
My journey taught me valuable lessons that go beyond migration:
Show your workings. Success comes from action, not just hope.
Wishing won’t feed you. Japa requires consistency, not daydreaming.
Fail forward. Rejections are stepping stones, not obstacles.
Discipline beats talent. Consistency is the true game-changer.
Tips for Anyone Who Wants to Japa
If you’re considering Japa, here are some practical tips:
Expand your scope. Don’t limit yourself to UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. Explore Germany, Poland, Austria, and South Korea.
Create a daily system. Dedicate at least 2–4 hours daily to applications.
Prepare for rejection. See it as part of the journey.
Network and join communities. Many opportunities circulate in online groups before they go mainstream.
Balance money-making with applications. A job can help fund your exams and applications while you search for scholarships.
Final Thoughts: For Who Know Road
Japa is not about escaping; it is about expanding your horizon and creating opportunities that didn’t exist before. The grass is not automatically greener abroad—you still need resilience and adaptability. But with consistency, your dream can become reality.
Today, I can talk my talk because I walked my walk. If you believe Japa is in your stars, this is your call to action: start applying, stay consistent, and embrace resilience.
Because in the end, na who know road fit show road.
Call to Action
Are you preparing for your own Japa journey? Start today—create a daily plan, explore scholarships abroad, and don’t fear rejection. Share this story with a friend who also dreams of studying abroad. Let’s build a community of resilience and success.
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