samsonshines:
Anyone going to the University of Hull this September? Let's connect.

johnsonpal:
Hi guys, It has been 6months here already, Pheew. Time truly flies, I tell you. My last post was 2 months ago; you can check that out if you missed it.

Disclaimer: The content of this post is solely my opinion and experiences, which of course, will defer from others.

This is kind of a long post; Apologies in advance, and to avoid decimating the write-up with links, they will be posted at the end under reference and further reading.


Let's get to it

Accommodation scarcity has always been an issue, but recently, it has gone bunkers, like finding accommodation now requires some miracle or sheer luck, especially for Families. I still don't understand why Landlords and letting agents avoid blatantly refuse to rent to families. The story is the same almost everywhere now. I can't even imagine the financial implication and the emotional stress of spending months in a hotel/Airbnb with no end. Single people are not finding it easy either.
It will be better to come alone first to settle and resolve accommodation issues; the family can join later. You don't want to be roaming around with your children in a new environment. The landlords/landladies are also taking advantage of people's desperation by suddenly hiking rent and not supplying necessities. I was able to secure accommodation a month before I came in; I don't even think that is possible anymore.

Accommodation Search Tips :
Get a Uk number ASAP( I downloaded vyke while in Nigeria because I wasn't getting any response via email). Start calling and texting instead of emailing alone.
Register on Zoopla, Rightmove, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, start 'sleeping' on the websites. (Beware of Scam, especially on Facebook, if someone asks you to send an email to the sister, Not available to show house, payment via Airbnb it's 99% scam!!)
Google Agents in your city, go to their office if you are already on ground.
'Collabo' with another family to get a 5/6 bedroom ( demand for them are relatively low )
Some of the jobs on the UK shortage list might be removed soon due to 'oversupply.' So I did some digging and came up with a list of jobs vocations that I think have good prospects; some are still emerging.

Sustainability/Renewable: The Uk and Europe are moving towards renewable and energy sustainable development FAST. The Ukraine Russian war is going to make this move even faster. A degree in anything Related is going to be so worth it.

Business Intelligence/ Data Analyst: I analyzed popular jobs sites(LinkedIn, Totaljobs, indeed, reeds) posts for the 2 years, and these popped up.

AI/ Data Science: Data is the new currency man; applying Machine learning, deep learning, AI algorithms to data will be hot. This is different from Data Analysis; if you don't want to be mediocre, a strong Math/statistics background is essential, or time to learn those matrices and PCA. Ladies, please consider this career path. You are black and female, Double Minority! If you now know your onions again, omo! not every time nursing/public health.

Adult Care/Mental health: According to ons.gov.uk, "In 1999, around one in six people were 65 years and over (15.8%), this increased to one in every five people in 2019 (18.5%) and is projected to reach around one in every four people (23.9%) by 2039" Uk has an aging population, so anything Adult care will remain hot for a long time. You might also want to consider moving to coastal towns/cities according to ons, they elderly your clients prefer to retire to these areas.
Scrum Master: They popped up on my job data analysis

Vocations: I think people are ignoring this. if you can somehow combine school and learning a vocation, Consider these

Exterior Wall Cladding Installation: Due to the Grenfell Fire incident in 2017, the Government mandated exterior wall cladding who are prone to fire removed and changed; in fact, they are giving loans to leaseholder now.
Mechanics, anything electric mobility
Plumbing
HGV instructor: I think the Ukrainian refugee might close that gap though
I will post more in my next write-up, and you can always pivot your career if you are already studying something a little related.

The need for Job experience and good references cannot be overemphasized, I understand some of us are currently working temp jobs to pay the bill, but these Temps jobs can still be purposeful; you can build relationships that could provide future references. That is why it's important to be professional, friendly, and have a good work ethic.
When I first started working, I came from 8:07 to an 8:00 shift, and the Manager said, 'oh, it's nice of you to join us' 7 mins o finally, my mouth was wide agape. The other time I received a query for taking 40mins instead of a 30mins break; there was absolutely nothing to do at work that day. I had to adjust. Being prompt is very important, so try to factor uncertainties like bus delays into your work commute/appointments. Also, don't just do the barest minimum; I sometimes stay back after my shift to help out colleagues. My phone is put off while at work while others fidget theirs. These little things get noticed, trust me.

Incorporate listening to local news (BBC, telegraph, sky, Economist) into your routine during your commute to school or work. This can help integrate a little faster; you want to keep abreast of news and policy in your new 'home,' let the instablognaija and Naija twitter rest for a minute. The news also serves as a good conversation point between school mate/colleagues.

I wouldn't lie to y'all, combing work and school is not for the faint-hearted, it gets really busy with no time to do any other thing, but please try to find time to develop a hobby, Go to the gym, go for a ride, party sometimes, in fact, if football is your thing, attend some game, if you can afford the ticket. I know Nigerians are not big on mental health, but please take time to balance out the stress. It is easy to get lost in a routine of just work-school. The good news is, all the hard work will be well worth it in no distant time. Don't be dismay.

Unfortunately, guys, the 'yahoo boys,' or is it men, have started trooping in en masse. I don't understand how grown-ass men, 36years + with families, are still doing fraud. For goodness sake, Nigerians already have a battered and soiled reputation; this set of people will make it worse. In as much as I am praying and hoping for y'all to get caught, the ripple effect of headlines like " Nigerian man arrested for ..... " on people like me who are constantly busting their ass every day and giving this our all cannot be quantified. Please, biko Abeg , in the day of whoever you serve, STOP!! Don't ruin this opportunity for others. Apart from fraud, these guys don't even pretend to be interested in the schooling that got them here.

I received some pm last time, guys. I'm also a JJC like you. I really don't think I can be of much help. Ask your questions on this thread and the other Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant thread. You can also use the search option. These threads are info-rich. I used to follow them bumper to bumper, but these days I barely have time to visit, So I follow these OG's; it is easier to just catch up on their posts.
Lexusgs430 - I read his post as far back as 3years ago, thank you, sir
Mamatukwas: - All about parenting in a new environment. I think she offers Cargo to and fro also
Ticha : Finance, mortgage, Credit building, you want to follow her.
Aphro : Her moniker has skipped my mind now, but Ladies trying to get into the tech space should read her posts like a bible
LagosismyHome : She ever ready to give sound advice
Chukwuka16 : This Bros writing is like a dissertation. I love the details in them . one of his threads literally changed my life.
And some other OGs, Thank you guys for the invaluable contributions .

Quick one, if you are 'single single,' try to be a little strategic with relationships, enough said .


Finally,
In retrospect: What would I have done differently
Pay at least 75% of my tuition so I could focus more on school and use my 20hrs judiciously on an internship instead of working temp jobs.
Learn barbing before I came

Till next time, Na still me una brother Reporting Live !!!


Further Reading / Reference :

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/articles/overviewoftheukpopulation/january2021

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-sets-out-new-plan-to-protect-leaseholders-and-make-industry-pay-for-the-cladding-crisis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_cladding_crisis

https://www.itv.com/news/london/2021-09-08/grenfells-external-cladding-should-have-been-checked-by-risk-assessors

Tynnah:



I know of Glasgow Caledonian university-8 installmental payment

Cjaylawson:
Abeg say nobody dey go Leeds Beckett for here I av not see a single soul talking about lbu here way happened

Simran94:


I have a business that I do, gadget importation. I use my personal account for transactions that run in half a million naira to millions of naira every month. I don’t have a CAC though or a Business account, that’s the issue.
My sister is taking care of all expenses though but the issue is using my personal account for my statement of account

Simran94
post=111413953:


I have a business that I do, gadget importation. I use my personal account for transactions that run in half a million naira to millions of naira every month. I don’t have a CAC though or a Business account, that’s the issue.
My sister is taking care of all expenses though but the issue is using my personal account for my statement of account

Susdiv:
Good day everybody. Please, can the main applicant and spouse leave behind their two Kids and travel to the UK then one of come back later (like six months time) to carry the two Kids?

What are the chances of the children getting the visa when their parents is already in the UK?

PS. The parents are considering this options because of finance.

Thanks as I wait your responses

AlphaUno:



Covid vacs isn't compulsory.
All Covid protocols have been relaxed since 18th March.

Read further here
https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/before-you-leave-for-the-uk

Mosimileoluwa12:
Did anybody apply for January intake at Sheffield Hallam? If yes, please I'd like to know if you've been offered admission yet.

Bubblesirene:
Please is anyone going to Coventry university this May? or does anyone know of any Coventry chat group? Kindly link me up. Thank you.

Olaife2310:
I have Usvi visa and I don't know anybody there

duchess90:
Hello,

Don't be in a hurry to put in application without tidying your end. Again, regardless of who sponsors or invites you the Home office will also look into your personal situation and confirm you have strong ties and that you are not flight risks and will return at the end of your visit.

I had advised earlier to post this in the visit visa section so you can get more advise

At the moment, you have an unregistered business, and have personal account with unexplained funds. That is a recipe for disaster.

I will advise you go to the thread, learn alot about what you need to do and give yourself time to get it right. It is better than getting a refusal.

Cheers

AlphaUno:



If your importation biz is what you intend to fill in as your occupation, biz acct is needed.

In the absence of a biz acct, your personal account should suffice but filling in importation biz with it, is a call for concern.

SPDAZZY:


Don't be anxious, if you meet their requirements, you will certainly scale through.

For a Russell group school, they are worth the time.

Start date is May, research is on machine translation. DM?

dave0450:
Quick one please can I use WAEC print out for application coz there is a mistake on dob on my WAEC certificate.

Mannymanny:

How much discount were u given?
How long did it take too

SPDAZZY:


I used this from Iferewaju as guide when I was uploading documents:

Docs for main applicant (11yrs study gap)
POF, Bsc cert, IELTS, IOM Tb cert, Passport data page

Docs for spouse (1 canada refusal declared last year)
Marriage cert, affidavit for wedding and change of name, newspaper change of name, POF (same as hubby), IOM Tb cert, Picmix of hubby and wife, passport data page

Docs for Child dependent (same for both of them)
Birth cert, Letter of consent signed by both parents, IOM certificate, passport data page, POF (same as main applicant)

After self upload, you just need to go to TLS with your printed checklist, photocopy of passport data page, first page of your visa application form and passport

However, if you chose assisted service, you go with originals and photocopies of everything listed.

Bnaira77:
Good morning brothers and sisters, how do I fill form A based on paying deposit on the portal.

What are the options in the trade system portal I need to fill to complete the transaction.

aysticksz:
I have a conditional offer and I’ve submitted all required documents. Pls send me a mail. Let’s link up

Ayowolebami:


This was a beautiful and insightful read but please the link to the rest of your ITK is not working biko could you check to confirm it’s correct? I would hate to miss anything out of freebie from your wealth of knowledge come experience and yea..... you missed “theHRguy” moniker from your list of ancestors not to miss their posts

jerry0071:

Sheffield is a huge city. Job opportunities there are overwhelming.

bali233:
So I heard most banks dont give PTA in cash anymore. They put it in a card for you. My question now is how can one get pounds now with this new development? pls people that got PTA what bank did you use and did you get cash?

Details2dot:


I used Access bank for my PTA and I got paid in Cash ....Gbp 2,900.