Have you ever wondered what it takes to study abroad? We interviewed Chioma Nnanna, a young Nigerian planning to attend school abroad in the UK to find out more about the application process to study abroad. Follow along with the interview to learn from Chioma’s experiences:

Mary Judith Onyekwere: Good evening! Thank you for accepting our invite for this interview. We have been collecting true stories of people such as you, who legally gained admission to study abroad. Please can you introduce yourself?

Chioma Nnanna: My name is Chioma Nnanna.  I hail from Anambra state. I studied Biochemistry at Micheal Okpara University. I play volleyball on weekends, and it’s pretty fun. I also go to the gym about five times on a good week. I draw and paint too.

MJ: So we can say you are very fit?

CN: More or less

MJO: What are your interests in life?

CN: To realize my full potential in life. I feel that I cannot achieve that in this country, so I am migrating.

MJO: Looking back since your childhood, how will you say your study in Nigeria has been?

CN: I just don’t want to get another education from this country. I didn’t enjoy the education process, so I don’t want to get another degree here.

MJO: So you are going for a Master’s degree program after studying Biochemistry?

CN: Yes

MJO: Is it okay to presume you have always had the Dream to study abroad?

CN: Yes

MJO: Since when have you had the plans or dreams to study abroad?

CN: I can’t remember!

MJO: If the Nigerian education system were better than it is currently, would you still want to study abroad?

CN: No! But I would like to study abroad not only because of the educational system, but also as I would like to visit new places.

MJO: Is it true that the Nigerian embassy and other travel people were not issuing  passports for a time?

CN: Yes! But in my case what I heard was not that they intentionally decided to stop, but that it was electricity problems. It went off unexpectedly, but I think they have rectified it now.

MJO: When did you concretely begin your plans to study abroad?

CN: Mid-year 2021.

MJO: So that means your plans went really fast. What is the status  of your study abroad plans?

CN: At this stage, I have secured my admission. I just need to secure some funds, and then I can leave.

MJO: So do you mind taking us through a stage by stage process of your application?

CN: I started by deciding first on which country I wanted to study in after doing some research on the countries. Then, I looked for schools within my chosen country that offered my course of choice, and I applied to them. I reckon I will have to run some medical tests next year before I travel, but I do not yet know the next process. So, this year I just did my basic research, picked the country I wanted, and then picked a good school.

MJO: Which tests are those?

CN: Just the Tuberculosis test and other tests required by the school for admission. I said I will do them next year.

MJO: So that means one can push forward the date for such tests until a future date?

CN: You don’t have to do them until you have gotten your admission and you are sure that you will be attending that school that year.

MJO: So to summarize your application steps, you researched the country of your choice on Google, or just searched for countries?

CN: I googled the country of my choice. I picked a school, I applied and they responded. They let you know if you are admitted or not.

MJO: Were there factors guiding your choice of country such as family? What were the factors that helped you decide?

CN: I don’t have any family there. The only factor that helped me decide was access to scholarships and funding opportunities. The school I chose also had to offer my course of choice.

MJO: Was their response to your application via mail?

CN: They do so via mail and also on their online portal.

MJO: What is the next stage?

CN: I have not really started that process but I will do so next year. I will put my things together, run the tests the school requires me to do, compile my documents, and get ready for take-off.

MJO: So that means there was no examination?

CN: No, there wasn’t. I didn’t have to write anything.

MJO: As an advice to other people, which time of their school year do you think is best to travel out of Nigeria for study. Should they leave immediately or wait until after finishing basic education here in Nigeria?

CN: Finish your basic studies, and then leave if you know what you want to do and where you want to go. I will advise that the person finishes his or her basic education in Nigeria before studying abroad.

MJO: So have there been any challenges so far, any lessons gained?

CN: No, I didn’t really have any challenges. It was pretty straight forward, and I know that there’s nothing that can’t be resolved!

MJO: How much did the whole application cost you?

CN: So far, it hasn’t cost me anything, but when I begin the process to transition abroad, the costs will be involved.

MJO: Now that you are packing for your study abroad, how difficult is it and which gadgets do you think are “must haves” as you relocate to a different country?

CN: Nothing in particular. I just need my phone and laptop.

MJO: Did you use a particular website to find your school?

CN: I didn’t use any sites. I just looked for top universities by rank, entered through the link to the school, checked their offer, and applied.

MJO: So what do you think you would miss most about Nigeria?

CN: Maybe the food, the people, etc. I don’t have any idea yet!

Author: Mary Judith Onyekwere