1. Learn the language: Don't move to a country thinking your English will do it for you, of course, it will be of advantage to you, but certain doors will remain close as long as you don't speak the lingual franca.

2. Stay positive: Always remain positive whilst bearing it in mind that the country is not a utopia. Focus on the major purpose that took you there. Don't get distracted because Emeka has built a house in his village, or Bayo has bought a Lexus, and now lives in Ikoyi. Rather, be positive and always bear it in mind that you migrated for a purpose which you must achieve.

3. Embrace the country: Learn to be at home in the country and take it as a second home, or even your homeland. Be free, explore it, learn about it, and get yourself acclimatised to it.

4. Have a plan B: Don't expect all what you planned back in Nigeria to come into reality. If you planned to be a doctor, also make a plan B to become a caregiver, if the Medical opportunity fails you. If you planned to live in a big block in Chicago, also make a plan B to live in a farm house in Iowa. This way, you wouldn't be caught up between disappointment and failed plans.

5. Look beyond the border of your own community: Don't just be into the Nigerian community alone, instead integrate into other communities in the country. Try joining the Chinese, Indian, Ghanaian etc. This will create more opportunities for you, and before you know it, you will have known China without visiting China, Known India without visiting India etc

6. Take risk: Don't be afraid of taking risks, I'm not asking you to disgrace Nigeria by indulging into crimes. That's crime, and shall never be included in my list. Instead, what I mean is that you shouldn't be afraid of going into business that will change your life positively. Don't be afraid of buying properties and selling them. Don't be afraid of buying cars and sending them to Nigeria to be sold. Don't be afraid of working and studying (if the system permits it).

7. Be involved in volunteering: Learn to volunteer, in a way that is within your capacity. It may be in a community service like cleaning the city, raising funds for kids with diseases, teaching English to immigrants etc

8. Get a mentorship: Get a mentorship from an Organization or trusted person, also be involved in Mentoring people.

9. Be involved in networking: Learn to build networks, in Nigeria it's called connection. Learn to have friends from the school, the places of worship, the grocery store, the law enforcement, the medical center etc. All of these will go a long way in helping you.

10. Avoid crime: Avoid crime!

11, When you get there (Aboard) don't cut ties with your paddies at home calling them Local.
12, Don't always furnish the pple at home with wrong information, inorder to discourage them not to come, tell them as it is.
13, On getting there, they always tend to tell us the negative aspect of life over there, thereby leaving the positive aspect out of it.

samwash:
11, When you get there (Aboard) don't cut ties with your paddies at home calling them Local.
12, Don't always furnish the pple at home with wrong information, inorder to discourage them not to come, tell them as it is.
13, On getting there, they always tend to tell us the negative aspect of life over there, thereby leaving the positive aspect out of it.

Thanks for this!

Nice one. Food for thought.