₦airaland Forum

Espice:
Hello house!
Good to see everyone's making progress. Some of us will be graduating this spring. Thank God for the journey so far.
Some of us came to this country not knowing or having anybody here but we thank God for the success we've achieved so far. It has all been a wonderful experience.
I school in New York, the Big Apple! Lol. My people, NY no be joke o. Just like someone said in some other posts here, NY is fu**king over hyped. I wonder what the craze is all about of this NY self. A lot is wrong with this over celebrated state. Anyways that'll be for another day.
I'm just here to encourage those of you that are finding it difficult to survive in this country. Tuition palava, job wahala, accommodation, GA, among others. Please and please, try to find a way to stay as a student and complete your education. The benefits you'll enjoy while still a student and after graduation are way superior than going out of status for the sake of struggling & scouting for residency papers. I'm a witness, son! I have friends who came here, abandoned school and went out of status with the mind of trying to get residency papers. It has not been easy and rosy at all for them. So please, don't go out of status.
And another thing is, please don't forget God in this distractive country. Pray, pray & pray. Never forget those teachings your parent used to give you back in Naija.
For me, I'll be graduating this spring. I came studying in fall '13, got a GA that same semester. Got a scholarship plus another GA in the following semester. Got hired as an intern in NYC. Drive a very good car, Lol. All these, as a student. Although at first, it was not that easy but God made it all easy along the line.
Don't be deceived, even the Americans are not smiling. There are also beggers here. Most of them don't even go to school (college). They are mostly high school graduates.
So count yourself as being lucky to be here studying in the first place, because even the Americans will like and envy you when they know you came all the way here to study.
And as for papers/kpali/GC, bro, that one na small thing. Just put your trust in God and finish your school, there are many legit ways of crossing that bridge.

For the new arrivals, I say welcome to the land of opportunities.
I hail the veterans in the house as well. God's favor for us all.

vickiestephen: I want to share my visa experience yesterday at abuja US embassy. My appointment was for 9.30 but I got there by 8am. Here's the transcript
VO- good morning maam
Me- good morning to you (smiles)
VO- so was this the only school you applied
Me- no. I applied to three other schools
VO- so why this school
Me- this school has a well structured curriculum that fits my career goals and they offered me scholarship
VO- who will sponsor you
Me-my mother
VO- can I have her bank statement
Me- hands it to her. As she was flipping through it I then mentioned I also have her shares statement and certificate here-
VO- can I have a look
Me- hands the shares stamens to her
VO- your visa has been approved and will be ready to pick up in three business days
Me- smiled and said thank you
I was so excited that I couldn't eat all throug yesterday. Thanks to my mother for her unending support, thanks to my boo and love of my life and thanks to all naira landers for your helpful tips and advise. I will be leaving naija on Wednesday

Walspring: Congrats and enjoy your stay in Obamaland....

Idazbawz: Ngofancy
Congratulations..... I have a friend at UB... he's a NLander too...his moniker is castrogee

stevecrun: I left ikeja with my cousin and his wife at about 5.30am to victoria island
We arrived at about 6.20am at the embassy and checked in for my appointment which was slated for 6.30am.I joined the short queue.After all the normal ritual done before the applicant sees the VO,here is my transcript.

Note-i was tensed i nearly had an heartattack,its my first time at the usa embassy. I was praying to be interviewed by the white lady or the young white guy.I finally got the young guy,my number was A046.

VO-How did you know about this school?
Me-I made my research on the internet using Usnews.com,wikipedia,collegeboard.org and the school's website.

VO-Did you not apply to other schools?
Me-I applied to University of Central Arkansas and Texas Southern University

VO-What does SMSU have that these other two do not have?
Me-both TSU and UCA do not offer out of state tuition scholarship but SMSU does cos international students are allowed to pay same fee with those born in Minnesota(he nods)

VO-Why criminal justice and safety studies?
Me-With a bachelor degree in criminal justice and safety studies,i will be able to ascertain the psychology behind crime,and measures that can be taken to limit the rate of crime in our society thereby rehabilitating offenders.
Sir,i believe our present methods in dealing with criminals in Nigeria has not made our society safe rather it has made our problems worse,so with this degree,i will be able to contribute to the security of lives and properties here in Nigeria.(All this while he was looking at me and i maintained eye contact)

VO-Your sponsor?
Me-My mother
VO-What does she do?
She's owns a cement distributing company,which distributes majorly for Elephant cement co.

VO-How many workers work with her?
Me-Sir,she has two branches one in Asaba and warri and has alot of workers

VO-What's your other qualification?
Me-I have an NCE qualification and i did that from 2009-2012 including the compulsory Teaching practice

VO-Why is your mom sponsoring only you to the usa,don't you have other siblings?
Me-Am the first son and i have 3other siblings
My younger sister is in a law school,the third girl is a medical student in one of the Nigerian unis and the last(he cut me off here)
VO-what do you stand to gain?
Am the first and i will be the heir to her business empire including my dad's houses.

VO(nods and says i will have to issue your visa now,you choose isolo,so pick up your visa there,after 3 working days,we contact you through an sms or email.
Hands me my white pickup slip after circling.
I gave him a thumb up and he smiled.

The journey has not been easy only those that know me will attest.
I thank God for his mercies and unending favour.
Walspring,is a good friend and brother,God will make u smile
Gre8ever,your calls and words of encouragement
Graviton
Bimbola,thanks for correcting my mistakes before i headed to the consulate
Slimmy,God will make you smile soon
Teddyrain,not forgetting u bro...your prayer lines helped too.
If ive not mentioned you no vex,my brain full now.

And my mother,without her i won't be here..I love you mom..she's the happiest mom now in the world..

All those who are headed there soon,be steadfast and commit your needs to God.
I cut off with my girlfriend cos of american visa,am sorry babe,cut off sex,cut off drinking.I was closer to God..
More testimonies sha abound here.

Its being a long journey..THANK GOD WE MADE IT TO AMERICA

ngofancy: Will like to meet you there too praise God finally I got the email yesterday aftenoon. Will pick up this morning

Mjseun: Nlanders, just got the mail today that my visa is ready, go collect yours too if you in the same category. Thank you Jesus... I'm going there this morning. so so happy right now. Since last Monday

domex007: Did the machine for printing visa spoil?
If I may ask self, where do they print this visa, is it in the embassy or where?
They are supposed to have like two or three machines for printing visa, just incase one get damaged..

Mjseun: Please when do you guys think sms/email will be sent from dhl or ustraveldocs.com. Ooooo. I agree yesterday and today is public holiday but it was already 5 days last Friday that the us visa was approved.

Anybody whose visa got approved and has gotten any sms/email from ustraveldocs.com?

Really want to lay hold on it.

Thanks