Japa: Seven things to know before relocating to Europe

In an interview with Vanguard, Rolake, a young Nigerian lady who has lived in Luxembourg for over three years, shares some eye-opening truths every aspiring “japa” candidate should know before boarding that flight.

Whether you’re heading to Europe to study, work, or start over, consider this your insider guide to surviving and thriving in Europe.

Prioritize self-development and skills:

Rolake emphasizes that potential migrants should not be overly eager to leave Nigeria. Instead, they need to develop their skills and in every aspect they can. She stresses the importance of being prepared, organised, skilled, and educated because many who travel are not well-prepared.

Obtain necessary certificates:

Certificates are required in places like Luxembourg, even for seemingly simple jobs like kitchen assistants or cleaners. Like other European nations, Rolake said Luxembourg is a country that works with papers. While your Nigerian certificates are important, having another certificate that is locally recognised will help and quicken your job search.

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Research and Plan Financially, Especially for Housing:

Knowing the housing rents and the cost of living in your intended destination. Rolake strongly advises against relying solely on friends or family for accommodation. She warns that it’s a “big lie” that you can just come and stay with someone indefinitely. She said even close relatives may disappoint you or start asking you to contribute to bills like electricity, water, and part of the rent very quickly, sometimes within weeks of your arrival, whether you have a job or not.