Someone you know has left or is planning to leave. 1,000 Ways To Japa will speak to real people and explore the infinite number of reasons and paths they use to get to Japa.
In this edition of 1k Ways to Japa, Fiona (26) breaks down the exact steps that got her into two UK universities and how anyone can write a winning SOP using the STAR method. She also shared the financial discipline, application secrets, and culture shocks she has experienced in the UK so far.
When did you japa?
I relocated to Manchester, United Kingdom, in September 2024.
Congratulations. Why did you choose to relocate?
I’m currently doing a Masters programme in Digital Marketing. It was a big decision because I’m sponsoring myself. I didn’t get a scholarship, but I got a discount from my school.
That’s interesting. What was it like gaining admission into a UK university?
When I got my first degree in 2019, I knew I would do my masters in the UK. After my NYSC, I got a job that paid reasonably well; the job gave me valuable years of experience that helped me get another job with a company based in Canada. I was with that company for a few years, and my goal was to save enough to be able to pay for my master’s. In 2023, I hit my savings goal and applied to two universities in the UK. I got into both universities, allowing me to choose where to go.
How did you save up for your master’s with a 9-5 job?
It was a foreign job, so I earned more than the average Nigerian. I’m single and child-free, so I didn’t have overwhelming responsibilities. I was also great at living below my means. Even though I could afford a car, I chose not to buy one. I also tried to keep my house rent as low as possible. The key to saving for such a big goal is to be as frugal as possible.
Let’s talk more about your application process. Why do you think you got into the two universities you applied to?
I’d say my grades contributed to it. I also had a great statement of purpose. Writing a great statement is probably the most important about any application, that’s why I like to help as many people as I can through the process.
Do you have any tips for writing a statement of purpose?
First, don’t write a generic statement of purpose, and don’t think of using ChatGPT either. UK universities value personal experiences. Some universities ask questions like, “What inspired you to apply for this program?” You should keep that question in mind when you’re writing a statement of purpose. It’s your story, so you have the opportunity to make it as enjoyable as possible. You want the people reviewing your application to say, “What more is there to this person?”
One easy way to write the perfect statement of purpose is to use the STAR approach. S stands for Situation, T stands for Task, A is Action, and R is the result. The STAR approach will quickly help you add structure to your statement. The Situation in STAR is whatever inspired you to apply for the course you’re studying. It’s always better when your “Situation” is something that directly affects a good number of people. For example, if you’re applying for a digital marketing course, your “Situation” could be – “In Nigeria, women make up only 22% of the workforce in the tech space. The statistics didn’t bother me until I joined company XYZ and noticed that the women-to-men ratio was 2:15.” It’s always good to start strong with a catchy hook and relevant data.
Smart. How do you use the other alphabet in this context?
Okay. So, the next step is to flow into the task the situation inspired you to take up. If we’re sticking to the example I used earlier, the task could be – “The disturbing lack of inclusivity inspired me to figure out why Nigerian women are still underrepresented in the tech space”. The Action in STAR is whatever you decide to do to address the situation, and the “Result” is what you achieved. Don’t shy away from using numbers to paint a proper picture.
That’s solid. Can you walk me through your visa application process?
Before applying for the visa, you’ll need a certificate of academic sponsorship, which you should be able to request from your school after filling out some forms and presenting certain documents.
You can apply for your visa online by filling out a form. You pay the visa application charge and your health insurance when you fill it out. You’ll also need to submit some documents to the embassy, and if everything goes well, you should receive an email telling you your visa is ready.
Thank you. How has life been since you moved to the UK?
I’ve not been here for that long, but I’ve had to adjust a lot. My bills here are on a monthly basis, and I never imagined what it would be like to pay rent monthly. The UK weather can also be questionable sometimes, and it has caused me seasonal depression.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve experienced in the UK?
The way people smoke in this country is crazy. You can see a mom and her daughter sharing a cigarette. If you’re smoking in Nigeria, you’re going to hide it from your mommy and daddy, but not here. Another interesting thing is that this country has so many old people. Some of them even have scooters.
On a scale of one to 10. How happy would you say you are in the UK?
Seven. I’ve always wanted to do this, so I’m basically living my dream right now. I just arrived, but I am optimistic that the future is much better.
Want to to share your japa story? Please reach out to me here.
