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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Travel / General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 (809512 Views)
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Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by stoicism: 4:39pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
olenime: Did u not read a guys post saying going to the USA for studies is a battle field ? |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by Nobody: 4:45pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
stoicism: Lol, I bow to the guy. Technically, their system was designed for us to come there, study without working and go back to Naija after studies. The decision to enter street, make money, remain after school and try to live there permanently na our own and we must be prepared to endure whatever comes with it. I laughed when I saw language. Boys go enter Atlanta, after 6 months dem go dey speak like Yankee people una go dey laugh say dem dey form, na part of adaptation. I get one babe for cali. When she wants to talk to American friends, she go switch to American accent, when she call us for gidi... na pidgin straight. My point is: u have to understand their way of life and endure till u get it right. See boys dey complain when my dawgs for Yankee dey talk everyday as white girls dey enjoy the African mamba. 4 Likes |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by LUCAS99: 4:55pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
sureb0y: Easier said than done. Hopefully when you arrive you will understand how the system is structured. From my observation only a very few people make it. Many more end up with just maybe a greencard and a United states passport to boast of after spending 10 years to 20 years abroad and only live paycheck to paycheck and are even ashamed to go back home. 6 Likes |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by landuseact: 5:27pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
LUCAS99: I respectfully disagree with what you said here. only a very few people make it? that depends on your definition of make it. There are quite a number of Nigerians here who are middle income earners and even few that are high income earners. How is that different from the reality on ground in Nigeria? Like sureboy rightfully said the system was not structured for foreigners to necessarily wait behind after education but we choose to take advantage of that (I will be guilty of this too in some months). It's all about information and strategy, whoever lives 10-20yrs living from paycheck to paycheck here would most likely have lived that same way if he/she was in Naija. 12 Likes |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by LUCAS99: 5:41pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
landuseact: My definition of "Make it" most likely will be different from your definition of make it. Having maybe $5000-$10000 saved up incase of emergence, maybe 2-3 fairly used cars and maybe a home if you can afford one. The reality on ground is that most people live paycheck to paycheck and barely have savings.I might be a lot bit straightforward but that's the truth based on my encounters and observation. You said is all about "information and strategy". What kind of "information and strategy" are you talking about if I may ask. Can you state the "information and strategy" so that everyone of us can benefit from it. 2 Likes |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by OjaP: 6:00pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
@ Life in America. Sufferings to some may mean enjoyment to others. Enjoyment to some may mean sufferings to others. Apparently, everything in or about life is relative. Everyone is correct about their views about America. 2 Likes |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by cosxzbay: 6:23pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
biikeys:His points are valid. Maybe you will not understand till you experience it, especially if you have high hopes...the social capital here is fairly difficult to build in a short term, but with time most immigrants show significant social-economic difference when compare to their home country. 1 Like |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by Nobody: 6:37pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
Mystiqme:Thanks. |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by cosxzbay: 6:38pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
LUCAS99:I think you are generalizing at this point . You need to identify your audience - student migrating to U.S.via F1 and not random immigrants.. Statistically, having a U.S. degree + greencard or work authorisation permits increases your social-economic status. Yet, this may not be the same for non U.S. degree immigrants. 2 Likes |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by olafey2: 6:49pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
Please is there anyone leaving naija this week. |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by ahahnow: 8:26pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
Good day House, I have just received an acceptance email from the University of Oxford, without any scholarship. how do I fund my schooling? |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by olenime(m): 8:32pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
ahahnow: |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by don4ye: 8:37pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
ahahnow: Gan gan.... |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by don4ye: 8:37pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
@sureboy reply my email bro |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by imperiouxx(m): 8:51pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
sureb0y: That's the norm in US. The person doesnt form any yankee of any kind. If you speak to Americans the kind of English we speak at home that we called British English..... I'm sorry, you will have to put interpreter beside you. Your previous post, though I don't know the origin but it gives lot of information clearly. Probably who complained is new, it may not always be nice for a newcomer but at last, it worth being here. US is a blend of sweet and sour. And truly, some people don't make it here. 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by Nobody: 9:14pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
MrMann1:What about black market? I gato make some money menh. |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by obiaguna(m): 9:41pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
That lucas boy is very funny. So you think coming to Nigeria automatically translates to you having $10000 in savings. Lol body go tell you. Come sha. |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by biikeys(m): 9:42pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
cosxzbay: you think so? States are structured to be self-sufficient and their own entities..having their own laws and way of life. If you don't go around, you'll be tempted to make several assumptions based on that. For example..someone who has lived all his life in LA would think spending hours in traffic is the norm everywhere. My point is.. don't make generalizations based on just what you see around you. This applies to about everything in America. 1 Like |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by obiaguna(m): 9:48pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
Did anybody here actually resign his or her job and then proceeded to apply to study/work in the states without having a sponsor. Been procrastinating on this ish for a long time. The thoughts of actually preparing for GRE just makes me weak. Can somebody just motivate me at least lol. I tend to get discouraged along the way and just give up mentally. I intend studying data analytics so I can have a career in fintech. |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by Nobody: 10:04pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
obiaguna:I did same but I do have sponsors anyway. What you need to do is to sit well for the GRE and apply to safe schools where you are sure of getting funding. If you have friends, uncles, aunties or any family friend that can help you with a statement of account then I think you would be fine. Data analytics is a good program and I intend working in that field as well. Are you a comp science major or math? But try and save money for your ticket and at least your first two to three months rent. 3 Likes |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by MsNas(f): 10:04pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
@Topic: Like I always say, America is what you make it out to be. Some people chose to see a glass half full, while some prefer to see it as half empty. It is what you make it to be. I know some of the issues I am gonna raise is over-flogged... but irrespective. I am gonna use myself as an example, therefore I will refer to myself a lot in this post. 1. Nobody said its easy. This is the same reasons why I tell people I know (on and off NL) to remove their rose colored glasses before entering America. Trust me, you will have it very very rough at the beginning. Make up your mind to start from the barest bottom of the food chain here and don't expect to be living the high life 1-2 years after getting here. I got here with no funding, cos I had conditional offer as I was switching from a Physics undergrad major to an IT graduate major. I was not supposed to get funding until I did my prerequisite courses and that should take me 1 and a half years. I paid my first semester fees no hassles, but because I knew getting funding for the next semester is gonna make my educational pursuits easier, I got good grades, pressed my graduate advisor, and while that one ran me around in circles, I pressed the graduate school. Point is I never gave up, I eventually got funding (almost 100% and I had just completed 1/4 of my prerequisite course) and my life became simpler. All these while, I never longed to buy a car (my friends were buying), never longed for vacations to Puerto Rico (people around me were going), I was simply focused on getting up the food chain. I have survived on $500 a month before (housing, bills, and to do fine girl o ). Be prepared to manage for at least the duration of your grad school or education. I rarely ate out when I was in Arkansas and when I do, its $8 Chinese takeout. The people there know me and my friends. Lmao. Anybody who knows me on this thread knows I am an advocate of "Bring plenty food from Nigeria". The food I brought saved me most of the time cos I barely spent $70 on groceries every month. I never used to eat at fancy restaurants then, unless I go visit my Oga at the top . I learned how to live within my means. I learned to hunt for bargains and sales. I learnt how to look good but not live beyond my means and run into credit card debt. Where to buy a Micheal Kors coat that retails for $350 for $70 brand new, where to shop for the cheapest groceries, how to cut my utility bills and not have too much to pay at the end of the month, where to buy designer apparel for 1/10 of the original retail price. I learned and learned and those practices got me through the days when I have little or nothing and is also helping me with my savings. 2. I know this has been said before, but I would repeat it. People in certain majors have it easy, but they certainly don't get things handed to them on a platter of gold. This is no fiction, but I applied to more than 150 jobs before landing one. I would mention some monikers at this point ..... people like vivvysparkles, FideliaJohn and co that I came here with had it tough, but they eventually got great paying jobs with superb benefits after months of looking hard. They didn't relent and they were rewarded. even if you are not majoring in the so called hot majors, make yourself employable. I have seen some Nigerians on F-1 visa applying to jobs here with the Nigerian style of resume (date or birth, state of origin, religion. etc) Who does that? Which employer will take a second look at those kind of resumes? 3. Don't be stuck in your comfort zone. Most people that I know here went to school in one state and got jobs in another state. They looked for jobs outside of the state they studied in. They didn't get too comfortable. Do not concentrate your job search in one state and do not be afraid of change. Change might be what you need to get what you want. 4. Prepare to cry, prepare to be frustrated but prepare not to give up. I have been frustrated and angry after I kept getting reject upon rejects from jobs I applied to, I had wanted to give up but I could not afford to. One tip I always give to people is "Until you get what you want, you can afford to give up" When I was applying to those jobs, I would get as much as 8 "We are sorry" emails in a day. At some point, I even got angry and decided to stop applying. But I came here to win, I came here to survive and that is exactly what I am gonna do. 5. Ask for opinions. Ask people who know more than you and they can give you pointers. No man is an island of their own and some people know way more than we do. One of the things I am most grateful to is having someone who always was ready to go the extra mile for me with advise, counselling, resume help, interview pointers.... anything! You name it. Find someone to be your sounding board. Someone to bounce ideas off of and you will gain a lot. I never knew one could have a full time job(not internship), be a full time F-1 student, hold a full time graduate assistantship and not even be in the same state your school is located. I am doing that right now and I wouldn't be able to do that if I had not sought advice from people who knew better than me and could offer concrete advises on the way to go. 6. I saw someone complaining about racism. Lmao. You must be joking. We are NIGERIANS!. Racism is a small thing compared to tribalism and we are the grandmasters of tribalism. I went to school in the bible belt of Southern US (google it) where racism is at its peak, but I refuse to be daunted. I don't even think I pay any mind to it. There has been issues where people have been racist to me, I simply call them out on it, refused to acknowledge it or simply cannot be bothered. Who cares? I have other things to think of than to be thinking of racism. Someone even complained about the cold, lmao. We call one of my friends masquerade because of the way she dresses in the winter. Bundle up oga or madam, you're complaining about cold, people in Naija are complaining about excess heat. Be content. 7. Pray like never before. You sure do need it. Prayers bring good luck and we sure do need that to survive in America. If I tell you the story of one of my friends who also happens to be a Nairalander, you will marvel at the glory of the Almighty!! The person is doing so great now, you will not believe that's his/her story. Prayers have saved me many times. 8. Set realistic goals for yourself and don't "look face" so to speak. When I came here, I walk everywhere I went, my school city had no public transport and I had no car. What would I do? Make good use of my God given car aka my legs! If you see me walking around in the crazy Arkansas sleet, snow or rain, you will pity me. I even used that to keep my weight in check. Lol. I had friends who had cars, bought cars months after we entered America. I know people that got cars from car dealers and were paying monthly, but I am not here to keep up with the Jones, I won't put myself in financial distress just so I could belong. Let the people at home know your condition, don't pretend. If you pretend to be rich and having a ball in America, they will keep asking you for stuff and how many people you wan explain to for Nigeria that all those your Facebook pictures is just packaging? Infact, I deleted more than 400 people off my Facebook when I moved here. I don't need unnecessary stress or demands in my life One problem with Nigerians is that they expect to enter America and magically things will start to fall into place. Wrong. even natural born citizens have it worse. You can't walk if you don't crawl. You have to fight double or even triple hard to get your foot in the door and trust me, you will forget the days o. Also, cultivate the habit of saving, even if it's $50 a month while a student. That way, it will be easy to save and not get caught up with the good life after you graduate, get a job and start earning them big bucks. That way, you won't end up like those people who have spent decades in the USofA with nothing to show for it. If you are lucky to have trusted people in Nigeria, invest some of those savings back home, real estate is easy money in Nigeria. I'd even advise on taking advantage of the current naira/dollar price in Nigeria and invest back home. $1K will fecth you nothing less than 300K in Naija right now, think about it. You will have something to fall back on if at all there is need to relocate after a while. I bless the day I decided to quit my job and made the decision to move here, my life is much better, if I had stayed back in Nigeria, I will also be in the same rat race. I am not a millionaire neither do I have a fat bank account but my quality of life is much better. I was in Nigeria in December and I saw things first hand. If you don't have someone to get you in the door in Nigeria, OYO is your case. How many people are making it big and hammering millions on a day to day basis back home? Less than 5%. Majority are living paycheck to paycheck, and that's the fact. If you don't have someone to give you a job, or give you a contract, 80% are gonna end up with a job that pays less than 150K a month. That's even if you get the job sef. I graduated college in 2009 and I know a lot of my former classmates who are working extremely low paying jobs or even with no jobs at all. Sorry for the long epistle. 61 Likes 9 Shares |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by dicapino: 10:09pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
You guys are making me scared of going to the US. But on the other hand, you guys have to look at it from the perspective of an individual whose got nothing going for him/her here in Nigeria. I don't want to seem maudlin, but I graduated in 2012 good result, finished service 2014. I got this job- an Indian job where I get a meager pay which I can't use to start anything. Okay now with the plummetting Nigerian economy I lost my job early this month. I applied for jobs...good jobs...chevron and Co ....even smaller coys...no luck.....dragnet; workforce and the likes. I know nothing is free dere. I was told no free lunch in Yankee yu pay for everything. But someone can't sit down here looking at the ceiling. Nothing is here presently. I am hoping education would open my way to a better life in the US. 4 Likes 1 Share |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by obiaguna(m): 10:11pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
slimmy2005: I'm neither but I studied finance and I'm currently working in finance. I'm working with a giant start up in Nigeria (but my salary no giant at all)lol. So I developed interest in data analytics/business analytics as accounting/finance is too mundane for me. I already subscribed to Arizona state University and they actually stated that there were opportunities for funding but I haven't emailed the school to know if I qualify(I don't know if that's the right way to go about it). I finished with a 3.4/5 cgpa. What do you think? |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by MrMann1(m): 10:14pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
DeeTus: Well I thought I gave you parallel market... Well official rate is 199/200 naira, while black market is 320 1 Like |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by Nobody: 10:15pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
obiaguna:Your GPA after conversion should not anything lower that 3.0/4.0. Try and apply to more than one school. University of Tennessee, Georgia Tech and North Carolina state university does that as well |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by obiaguna(m): 10:35pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
slimmy2005: Thanks boss. I would look up those schools and stay motivated. I promise to update you regularly as I already have you on my BBM. |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by landuseact: 10:49pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
obiaguna: Your profile is somewhat close to mine. I moved from Economics to Management Information System. Take the GRE exam, prepare hard and set a score target for yourself. I don't know what you are using to prepare but if you can also get the GRE prep exam from the website that really helps because it simulates the real online exam experience (timing etc). Your cgpa is even ok, mine wasn't even close. Like Slimmy said look for safe schools for funding. If you get high GRE scores trust me nobody will even need to motivate you further. I remember when I took my GMAT, I was so sad till I saw my scores on the screen. I was grinning like a village idiot. |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by obiaguna(m): 11:01pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
landuseact: Hi Chief. Thanks for reaching out. Are you currently studying in the US? Is the GRE prep stuff something I can download and save on my system so I can access it from time to time. I was thinking my GPA was really low cos someone up there didn't get funding with his first class GPA so pardon my fears. I also intend drawing up a comprehensive reading plan and strictly adhere to it. Thanks for reaching out again. I appreciate. |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by landuseact: 11:07pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
obiaguna: Yes I am. Yes its intended for you to download and access offline. But it chops data to download initially but once you get it you are good to go here's the link www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/?WT.ac=grehome_greprepare_c_150213. it's the powerprep 2.2 version. it's from the official gre website so no mago mago |
Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 8 by obiaguna(m): 11:19pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
landuseact: Alright. Would get it when I get to work tomorrow. Would send you a pm now sef. Thanks. |
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