Tips for African Grad students
Some tips for African Graduate international students
I fell in love with this tip by someone on Nairaland. It is also kind of hilarious! But absolutely truthful and good tips.
My favourite tip is number 6. I thought to share it all below.
1. DO NOT RUSH TO GET A CREDIT CARD
Many of the things that seem to force you to get one you can do with a pre-paid credit card now. (Hotel, car rental on some cards even building credit)
2. AVOID NIGERIAN ODU EGBONS
There are many so-called older brothers here that pretend that they are looking out for you and ask "do you want to make some quick cash"?
Many of the things that seem to force you to get one you can do with a pre-paid credit card now. (Hotel, car rental on some cards even building credit)
2. AVOID NIGERIAN ODU EGBONS
There are many so-called older brothers here that pretend that they are looking out for you and ask "do you want to make some quick cash"?
One asked me for my account number so he could move some money to me. I didn't know what he was going to do at the time but my father always told me there is never something for nothing. I politely said no.
Later I realized it was cheque fraud! Can you imagine, a new student to a foreign country and they try to get you in MASSIVE trouble!
3. If you need to call home, Cici is a good card. Readily available at gas stations and about nine cents per minute with no connection fee. There might be others. Get a prepaid cell phone. BE VERY WARY OF ANYTHING THAT IS A SIGNED CONTRACT WITH PERSONS OR COMPANIES. (This will make sense to you later when you arrive)
4. DO NOT BUY A CAR ABOVE YOUR BUDGET
There is a temptation to buy, especially if you are younger, a car, usually German, that can be very costly to own, operate, maintain, and insure. (On a side note, NEVER DRIVE WITHOUT INSURANCE). They will get you!
5. This might be controversial but, DON'T LIMIT YOURSELF TO FRIENDS FROM YOUR COUNTRY.
You have paid a great fee to expand your horizon. Limiting yourself, as I see many do, to just the Nigerian crowd, puts an artificial ceiling to how much you are exposed to.
6. REMEMBER WHERE YOU ARE FROM
Again, might be controversial but, no matter how much you might like it there, you are a foreigner.
3. If you need to call home, Cici is a good card. Readily available at gas stations and about nine cents per minute with no connection fee. There might be others. Get a prepaid cell phone. BE VERY WARY OF ANYTHING THAT IS A SIGNED CONTRACT WITH PERSONS OR COMPANIES. (This will make sense to you later when you arrive)
4. DO NOT BUY A CAR ABOVE YOUR BUDGET
There is a temptation to buy, especially if you are younger, a car, usually German, that can be very costly to own, operate, maintain, and insure. (On a side note, NEVER DRIVE WITHOUT INSURANCE). They will get you!
5. This might be controversial but, DON'T LIMIT YOURSELF TO FRIENDS FROM YOUR COUNTRY.
You have paid a great fee to expand your horizon. Limiting yourself, as I see many do, to just the Nigerian crowd, puts an artificial ceiling to how much you are exposed to.
6. REMEMBER WHERE YOU ARE FROM
Again, might be controversial but, no matter how much you might like it there, you are a foreigner.
There is still, even with its chaos, a greater opportunity for you in Nigeria to make it big. Unless you are not the typical money-driven individual.
The thing with Canada and other first-world countries is that it has all been done. Whatever you learn, always look at it from a point of view of how to use it to better your country and yourself.
There are a few more I can think of but I fear I'm sounding like a preacher now.
Enjoy your stay at graduate school and be on your best behaviour.
Jumoke Eniola Odepe
ON Canada