The Nigerian experience is physical, emotional, and sometimes international. No one knows it better than our features on #TheAbroadLife, a series where we detail and explore Nigerian experiences while living abroad.
Busayo was among the many Nigerians affected by Trump’s tough immigration policies during his first term. After five long years of waiting in Nigeria, she finally moved to the US. In this episode of Abroad Life, she shares how she did something she never imagined to become a US citizen in just two years, and is now fully enjoying the benefits of her new life.
Where do you live now, and when did you relocate from Nigeria?
I live in Pennsylvania, United States (US). I moved here in May 2023.
What inspired you to relocate?
My mum was already living in the US, so moving abroad became part of my plans too. It took five years to get my visa because of Trump, but it finally happened for me.
What was your life like in Nigeria?
When I was in Nigeria, people assumed I was privileged because I had a parent abroad, but in reality, I was struggling.
I ran a laundromat business to survive at university. After university, I went to film school, and when I was done with that, I couldn’t figure out what to do with my life. Eventually, I started rendering video editing services, making about ₦30,000 per video. I couldn’t get a proper job because I hadn’t finished my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the time. The jobs available for serving corps members ranged from ₦50,000 to ₦80,000 monthly. The money from my editing gigs had made me used to certain things, and I wanted to maintain the lifestyle, so I couldn’t take those jobs. I went back and forth often, trying to figure out how to make money. Thankfully, things are much better here.
What did moving to the US feel like for you?
When my mum told me I finally had an interview date, I was so happy. I had been waiting for five whole years. America is a land of opportunities, so I couldn’t think of a better way to start my life.
How much of your life has changed now?
I came in as a green cardholder, but I had to work as a front desk attendant because my university transcripts weren’t ready. I kept that job for three months until the transcript finally arrived, and I applied to work in a school as a teacher. I got the job, but I quit after some time because I found teaching really exhausting.
What made it exhausting?
My accent and my upbringing made things harder than they should have been. The kids were nice to an extent, but because teachers are not allowed to discipline students here, it was necessary for me to let go of certain things and adjust if I really wanted to be able to teach here, I couldn’t really do it at that point. So I quit and picked up video editing again. I did that for three months, but somehow, I missed the teaching environment, so I applied for an administrative job at the school where I worked before. I was offered a data instruction specialist job instead, and loved it because I have a degree in mathematics.
I will be applying for a federal government job soon because it’s good money. , I couldn’t even dream of this a few months ago because federal jobs are for citizens, and I only had a 10-year green card. Seeing how long it’d take for someone like me to become a citizen (five years) I did something I would have never guessed that I would ever do.
What did you do?
I joined the military as a member of the National Guard. I only work on weekends, but I’m on active duty orders right now, so I live on base. I’ll return to the teaching job after I’m done here and then apply for the federal job since I’m now a citizen.
What’s it like working in the military?
For context, I’m in the Air Force, so it’s much better than being in the Army. I’m the only Nigerian in my unit, but it’s been amazing regardless.
I used to be shy, but since I joined the Air Force, I’ve become a lot more social. Being in the military has brought me out of my shell and also opened me up to different opportunities. A great example is the 6% credit interest I was offered (instead of 10% or 15%), now that I’m trying to change my car. I also get a 25% discount on anything whenever I go to the supermarket.
The military also opens you up to meeting people who will become more than friends to you, and I’ve benefited from that, but the biggest benefit of all has been getting my citizenship. I’ve been in the US for just two years, and I’m already a citizen.
Did you find any of the military activities challenging at first?
Boot camp was really hard. There was a lot of yelling, and I didn’t know what I was supposed to do. I was mad at myself for the first two weeks; I kept wondering why I signed up for the military instead of waiting to get my citizenship in three years, like other people. We also didn’t have our phones with us, so I was only allowed to communicate with my mum through letters.
The story changed for the better when I started making friends. I met a nice lady from the Ivory Coast with whom I immediately bonded. We were the only Africans in my dorm, so it was easy.
Another challenging part of the boot camp was practising using firearms. It was overwhelming at first, but I’ve found my feet.
Good for you. Is it everybody who joins the military that becomes an automatic citizen?
Yes and no. If you have a green card, you can join the military, but you might not get your citizenship at boot camp if you fail your interview or have incomplete documents. The night I received my boot camp assignment, they asked if anyone wanted to become a U.S. citizen, and I wanted to. I didn’t pay a dime for this because they started the citizenship process for free, but when my mom was processing hers, she paid around $1,000 or more. How did you feel when you became a citizen?
It was so surreal. I didn’t know how to act because I was supposed to wait three more years before getting citizenship. I was happy I took that bold step and signed up for the military.
On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in your new country?
Ten isn’t even going to top it. Try 1000/10 because I’m so happy here.
Do you want to share your Abroad Life story? Please reach out to me here. For new episodes of Abroad Life, check in every Friday at 12 PM (WAT).
