A

I didn't read your epistle, but all I can is that it's not advisable for someone with a good paying job in Nigeria to travel out.

Nice story


Life's a process. Just like a bicycle. To maintain balance, we keep moving. Its just a phase. Good luck with your tedious journey up the ladder of success

Anyone smart enough should know not to travel to a far away country without having enough money to cater for his/her needs for up to at least 4months and also have a big chance in securing a good job.

You could always join the french foreign legion

Op you were just not smart...life is not always about book o, e good make person get sense join.

@op, so is it better to get a work permit to France if one is not financially stable?

It is no brainer not to go to a country where you can’t speak the language. Having said that even when you do speak the language life will be tough initially. I have friends in France who are doing well now and just like you they did not initially speak the language. The problem for you, I think, is trying to do too many things at once i.e. studying, learning the language and working all at the same time. I’m sure things will get better if you don’t give up. If anything, it's always a major plus if you can speak 2 major languages. Good luck.

Moral lesson of the thread: When going to a foreign land, ensure you have money.

Please don't mind some of these bad belle people in this thread. Your story is inspiring and that of real struggle. You have persevered and triumphed. We all know the only reason you took the chance was because of the state of Nigeria and its educational system. Your advanced degree from France is far far more legitimate and substantial than anything you could have gotten from a Nigerian School.

My advice is that you stay back in France and continue to work while you should also start applying for Express Entry to get to Canada and become a permanent resident. Nigeria is going to the dogs. You don't want to come back here and get trapped. Goodluck.

No man, you need to be a MAN... everything is not about BOOK.... Network!!!!

at 26 with a MSc from France, you ain't doing bad. You know what's good for you. Do it.

Londonboyrep:
It is no brainer not to go to a country where you can’t speak the language. Having said that even when you do speak the language life will be tough initially. I have friends in France who are doing well now and just like you they did not initially speak the language. The problem for you, I think, is trying to do too many things at once i.e. studying, learning the language and working all at the same time. I’m sure things will get better if you don’t give up. If anything, it's always a major plus if you can speak 2 major languages. Good luck.

You people "misuse this doing well". I'm in Hamburg earning over €1800 a month. To many others, it may be doing well. To me, it's not. Considering my expertise, the kind of job I'm doing, lifestyle I'm used to in Nigeria and elsewhere and many others.

Your friends may not be as highly educated as this individual, may not be as skilled as this individual or they may not have bigger goals as this individual or are very contented in doing blue-collar jobs. They can also be in a better position professionally but I think doing well should be dependent on individual indicators. I know so many people in Nigeria would die to earn the €1800 that is making me a bit depressed same as many who would consider such an offer shameful . So doing well is relative to every individual and should not be used in general terms.

electromagnito, I can relate to your experience. I also finished from a French University technically as part of a Joint program though but my grades are in the French system also.Yes, I spoke French up to B1 level and I had to run with my tails from France. So many things against you PROFESSIONALLY as a Black African coupled with the covert racism in that place. But I have to disagree with you, it is very very hard to get a professional job after study but not impossible.

Also, I want to congratulate you on ending up with a grade point of 12+ considering how bad French grading is. You hit the minimum for PhD studies across the world but I still think you have an edge when it comes to doing a paid PhD in France. With a strong Undergraduate CGPA, you have more than enough chances in places like the US, Canada, Switzerland and the UK where the undergraduate grades also play an important role in the PhD process. But please, my advice is for you to write GRE and apply to US schools for PhD. Most of the funded positions will be closing by end of December / Early January. Run from Europe as far as you can if you're better than blue-collar jobs.

P. S. If you need a change of environment for now, you can consider the Netherlands Orientation Visa (check if your university is eligible). It costs €171 euros and does not require any proof of funds.

I know what I mean by doing well. I have visited them and see how they live and you are absolutely wrong by saying they do blue collar jobs cos they don't. They mostly work in IT just like myself. Of course €1800 is a very low wage, very low. If you google the average wage of an IT contractor you'd know what I mean. And sorry to say but you sound more intelligent than someone who should be on such a low wage. In fact, I put it to you that you are definitely on a blue-collar job with such a role but just because you are doesn't mean others are. Gone are the days when as an African all you can aspire to be is a Postal delivery men and factory workers.
https://www.jobserve.com/gb/en/JobListing.aspx?shid=AEDE0963B02F37BC1F

ShyWhale:


You people "misuse this doing well". I'm in Hamburg earning over €1800 a month. To many others, it may be doing well. To me, it's not. Considering my expertise, lifestyle I'm used to in Nigeria and elsewhere and many others.

Your friends may not be as highly educated as this individual, may not be as skilled as this individual or they may not have bigger goals as this individual or are very contented in doing blue-collar jobs. They can also be in a better position professionally but I think doing well should be dependent on individual indicators. I know so many people in Nigeria would die to earn the €1800 that is making me a bit depressed. So doing well is relative to every individual and should not be used in general terms.

electromagnito, I can relate to your experience. I also finished from a French University technically as part of a Joint program though but my grades are in the French system also.Yes, I spoke French up to B1 level and I had to run with my tails from France. So many things against you PROFESSIONALLY as a Black African coupled with the covert racism in that place. But I have to disagree with you, it is very very hard to get a professional job after study but not impossible.

Also, I want to congratulate you on ending up with a grade point of 12+ considering how bad French grading is. You hit the minimum for PhD studies across the world but I still think you have an edge when it comes to doing a paid PhD in France. With a strong Undergraduate CGPA, you have more than enough chances in places like the US, Canada, Switzerland and the UK where the undergraduate grades also play an important role in the PhD process. But please, my advice is for you to write GRE and apply to US schools for PhD. Most of the funded positions will be closing by end of December / Early January. Run from Europe as far as you can if you're better than blue-collar jobs.

Londonboyrep:
I know what I mean by doing well. I have visited them and see how they live and you are absolutely wrong by saying they do blue collar jobs cos they don't. They mostly work in IT just like myself. Of course €1800 is a very low wage, very low. If you google the average wage of an IT contractor you'd know what I mean. And sorry to say but you sound more intelligent than someone who should be on such a low wage. In fact, I put it to you that you are definitely on a blue-collar job with such a role but just because you are doesn't mean others are. Gone are the days when as an African all you can aspire to be is a Postal delivery men and factory workers.
https://www.jobserve.com/gb/en/JobListing.aspx?shid=AEDE0963B02F37BC1F

You actually missed the point of my post. Now read my post again where I said they could be better professionally but it depends on individual indicators. An IT (New Oil) contractor with 5 years experience cannot be compared to a Fresh chemistry graduate.

And No, €1800 Netto is not a very low wage in Germany. That's the average Net pay of a Nurse in Germany. In comparison, those on minimum full-time wage is €1100 a month. The average salary in Germany is €2300 Netto and around €1900 Net in UK.

ShyWhale:


You actually missed the point of my post. Now read my post again where I said they could be better professionally but it depends on individual indicators. An IT (New Oil) contractor with 5 years experience cannot be compared to a Fresh chemistry graduate.

And No, €1800 Netto is not a very low wage in Germany. That's the average Net pay of a Nurse in Germany. In comparison, those on minimum full-time wage is €1100 a month. The average salary in Germany is €2300 Netto and around €1900 Net in UK.

Fam you just quoted yourself that the average wage in Germany is €2300 but you earn €1800 yet you are saying it's not low? Anything below average is low and anything above average is high as I understand it. Anyway thats, not my point, my point is my guys I'm referring to do not earn average salaries and they are doing well. Click on the link I posted earlier as an IT contractor you can easily earn up to £600 in a single day. Of course it takes time and experience to achieve this.

Londonboyrep:
Fam you just quoted yourself that the average wage in Germany is €2300 but you earn €1800 yet you are saying it's not low? Anything below average is low and anything above average is high as I understand it. Anyway thats, not my point, my point is my guys I'm referring to do not earn average salaries and they are doing well. Click on the link I posted earlier as an IT contractor you can easily earn up to £600 in a single day. Of course it takes time and experience to achieve this.

Someone needs to teach you Business and Economics and sorry, that person is not me.

Here is a UK government Intelligence Officer earning a lot less
than €1800 euro net monthly in a country where people earn over €670 daily.

https://www.indeed.co.uk/#df86d580c9a62dd5

ShyWhale:


You people "misuse this doing well". I'm in Hamburg earning over €1800 a month. To many others, it may be doing well. To me, it's not. Considering my expertise, the kind of job I'm doing, lifestyle I'm used to in Nigeria and elsewhere and many others.

Your friends may not be as highly educated as this individual, may not be as skilled as this individual or they may not have bigger goals as this individual or are very contented in doing blue-collar jobs. They can also be in a better position professionally but I think doing well should be dependent on individual indicators. I know so many people in Nigeria would die to earn the €1800 that is making me a bit depressed same as many who would consider such an offer shameful . So doing well is relative to every individual and should not be used in general terms.

electromagnito, I can relate to your experience. I also finished from a French University technically as part of a Joint program though but my grades are in the French system also.Yes, I spoke French up to B1 level and I had to run with my tails from France. So many things against you PROFESSIONALLY as a Black African coupled with the covert racism in that place. But I have to disagree with you, it is very very hard to get a professional job after study but not impossible.

Also, I want to congratulate you on ending up with a grade point of 12+ considering how bad French grading is. You hit the minimum for PhD studies across the world but I still think you have an edge when it comes to doing a paid PhD in France. With a strong Undergraduate CGPA, you have more than enough chances in places like the US, Canada, Switzerland and the UK where the undergraduate grades also play an important role in the PhD process. But please, my advice is for you to write GRE and apply to US schools for PhD. Most of the funded positions will be closing by end of December / Early January. Run from Europe as far as you can if you're better than blue-collar jobs.

P. S. If you need a change of environment for now, you can consider the Netherlands Orientation Visa (check if your university is eligible). It costs €171 euros and does not require any proof of funds.

Thanks bro, you got it exactly... get a 12(PhD grade) in france is like going to heaven... but we pull through and thanks for your advise, i will work towards that.

ShyWhale:


Someone needs to teach you Business and Economics and sorry, that person is not me.

Here is a UK government Intelligence Officer earning a lot less
than €1800 euro net monthly in a country where people earn over €670 daily.

https://www.indeed.co.uk/#df86d580c9a62dd5

I don't care what an intelligence officer earns because it's not my field. I am telling you in my field only someone on entry-level (no experience/apprenticeship) and possibly without a degree will earn as low as you currently earn. There's no need to be rude and sarcastic. In this country I am in there are plenty of IT personals, people working in Healthcare that make a very good living. I don't know about Germany but I'm only quoting what you said i.e you earn less than the average wage there. Take your frustration elsewhere or go back home if you can't hustle like everyone else.

You're not doing too bad. With your Masters you can apply to PhD programs in the US or Canada.

ShyWhale:


You people "misuse this doing well". I'm in Hamburg earning over €1800 a month. To many others, it may be doing well. To me, it's not. Considering my expertise, the kind of job I'm doing, lifestyle I'm used to in Nigeria and elsewhere and many others.

Your friends may not be as highly educated as this individual, may not be as skilled as this individual or they may not have bigger goals as this individual or are very contented in doing blue-collar jobs. They can also be in a better position professionally but I think doing well should be dependent on individual indicators. I know so many people in Nigeria would die to earn the €1800 that is making me a bit depressed same as many who would consider such an offer shameful . So doing well is relative to every individual and should not be used in general terms.

electromagnito, I can relate to your experience. I also finished from a French University technically as part of a Joint program though but my grades are in the French system also.Yes, I spoke French up to B1 level and I had to run with my tails from France. So many things against you PROFESSIONALLY as a Black African coupled with the covert racism in that place. But I have to disagree with you, it is very very hard to get a professional job after study but not impossible.

Also, I want to congratulate you on ending up with a grade point of 12+ considering how bad French grading is. You hit the minimum for PhD studies across the world but I still think you have an edge when it comes to doing a paid PhD in France. With a strong Undergraduate CGPA, you have more than enough chances in places like the US, Canada, Switzerland and the UK where the undergraduate grades also play an important role in the PhD process. But please, my advice is for you to write GRE and apply to US schools for PhD. Most of the funded positions will be closing by end of December / Early January. Run from Europe as far as you can if you're better than blue-collar jobs.

P. S. If you need a change of environment for now, you can consider the Netherlands Orientation Visa (check if your university is eligible). It costs €171 euros and does not require any proof of funds.

Great piece of advice

electromagnito:
I have always wanted to study abroad, i graduated from a state university in Nigeria with a Nice CGPA studying Physics and Electronics, after i finished my services in 2016 i got a Job as a supervisor in an electrical company for a two month project after this project i got my admission letter from France to study so i needed to work to save up, i got a contract job at first bank..now let start the story... it has been 2years now, i feel i should share my experience, well 2years ago i was here, got admitted to france to study theoretical physics Msc. at Universite de Cergy Pontoise 20km away from central paris, i dont know if i made a mistake going to france or i should have stayed in Nigeria, when i traveled to france september 17th 2017, without little or no help. I traveled with just 750 euros, this was money i had saved up from working, because i had no one to help me. When i got to france, i went straight to my university where i paid the inscription fee of 246 euros and also registered for french class for 210 euros, the money left with me was about 480euros, i had no place to stay because i was too late to get the CROUS, i started asking myself some question on how to survive in this harsh environment i cant speak the language, so i had to stay with a course mate for somedays, i was attending lectures and thinking of what next at the same time, my brain was unstable. I finally met a Nigerian who said i can share his place but i have to pay half the rent, i told him i have just 480 with me, i will pay you 400 for 2 month and if i get a job before then i will move, by december when it was very cold, i didnt getr a job and i couldnt pay the house rent, the Nigeria guy drove me out and i almost felt like giving up plus i was till going to school in all those harsh condition, then a close friend of mine yannick who happens to be french told me he was going to talk to his mom for me since i have helped him in programming exam and he scored 16/20. So his mum accepted me and i stayed with them throughout december then i got a night job in January, so i pleaded with my friend parent that they should give me just january to move out, Note i was working all night and still go to school, Feburary 2018 i left to my own rented appartment, now life was getting better but at the stake of my education, i was able to pull through the first year having a overall grade for M1 at 11.8/20 i felt bad knowing my result in Nigeria was a way better graduating with 4.43 CGPA. Because of my love for school i decided not to give up and registered for M2, most of my professor didnt like me though because they knew i was working overnight and i was still passing their exams despite not been stable, in france the hardest master is theoretical physics trust me. M2 started and i knew this was last chance of improving my grade so i could get a phD since that was my goal before i traveled abroad, M2 was still indifferent from M1 hate from professor plus i still had to work all night to pay my bills, my house rent was 300euros per month and i still support my family in Nigeria with any amount i have. after the first session of M2 i had 11.3/20, i was not too happy because my best friend in class got 14/20, although he got a phd now in lyon, so i went insearch of internship known as stage for my masters thesis, i got a good place at ESPCI CNRS paris, so i was going to my stage and still working at night. I finished my stage this month september 2019 and also defended my Master thesis on 6th of this month. at the end of the day i graduated with an aggregated of 12.5/20. I couldnt get a Phd cause most Phd proposal are taken since i finish late, presently now, i am seraching for a phd and also thinking of coming back home since i am just 26yrs old, i have option of changing my status and be working during the night but this is not a job one can do forever, now i dont know what next for me, although i applied to phd programme in other country but no news. my advise if you dont speak french dont go to france, it is useless, after you finish, you wont get a job.

Please can you link me with a very good and affordable agent here in Nigeria.

Whatever you do


DON'T COME BACK TO NIGERIA


You will so so regret it.

Now I am looking for a way to.run back out

You did well

And your advice is well taken

Please can anyone kindly help with any legit agent here in Lagos

tensazangetsu20:
You could always join the french foreign legion

bad advice

electromagnito:
I have always wanted to study abroad, i graduated from a state university in Nigeria with a Nice CGPA studying Physics and Electronics, after i finished my services in 2016 i got a Job as a supervisor in an electrical company for a two month project after this project i got my admission letter from France to study so i needed to work to save up, i got a contract job at first bank..now let start the story... it has been 2years now, i feel i should share my experience, well 2years ago i was here, got admitted to france to study theoretical physics Msc. at Universite de Cergy Pontoise 20km away from central paris, i dont know if i made a mistake going to france or i should have stayed in Nigeria, when i traveled to france september 17th 2017, without little or no help. I traveled with just 750 euros, this was money i had saved up from working, because i had no one to help me. When i got to france, i went straight to my university where i paid the inscription fee of 246 euros and also registered for french class for 210 euros, the money left with me was about 480euros, i had no place to stay because i was too late to get the CROUS, i started asking myself some question on how to survive in this harsh environment i cant speak the language, so i had to stay with a course mate for somedays, i was attending lectures and thinking of what next at the same time, my brain was unstable. I finally met a Nigerian who said i can share his place but i have to pay half the rent, i told him i have just 480 with me, i will pay you 400 for 2 month and if i get a job before then i will move, by december when it was very cold, i didnt getr a job and i couldnt pay the house rent, the Nigeria guy drove me out and i almost felt like giving up plus i was till going to school in all those harsh condition, then a close friend of mine yannick who happens to be french told me he was going to talk to his mom for me since i have helped him in programming exam and he scored 16/20. So his mum accepted me and i stayed with them throughout december then i got a night job in January, so i pleaded with my friend parent that they should give me just january to move out, Note i was working all night and still go to school, Feburary 2018 i left to my own rented appartment, now life was getting better but at the stake of my education, i was able to pull through the first year having a overall grade for M1 at 11.8/20 i felt bad knowing my result in Nigeria was a way better graduating with 4.43 CGPA. Because of my love for school i decided not to give up and registered for M2, most of my professor didnt like me though because they knew i was working overnight and i was still passing their exams despite not been stable, in france the hardest master is theoretical physics trust me. M2 started and i knew this was last chance of improving my grade so i could get a phD since that was my goal before i traveled abroad, M2 was still indifferent from M1 hate from professor plus i still had to work all night to pay my bills, my house rent was 300euros per month and i still support my family in Nigeria with any amount i have. after the first session of M2 i had 11.3/20, i was not too happy because my best friend in class got 14/20, although he got a phd now in lyon, so i went insearch of internship known as stage for my masters thesis, i got a good place at ESPCI CNRS paris, so i was going to my stage and still working at night. I finished my stage this month september 2019 and also defended my Master thesis on 6th of this month. at the end of the day i graduated with an aggregated of 12.5/20. I couldnt get a Phd cause most Phd proposal are taken since i finish late, presently now, i am seraching for a phd and also thinking of coming back home since i am just 26yrs old, i have option of changing my status and be working during the night but this is not a job one can do forever, now i dont know what next for me, although i applied to phd programme in other country but no news. my advise if you dont speak french dont go to france, it is useless, after you finish, you wont get a job.

Well,

I can understand your issue anyway. I just finished my study in France as well. Though, I went to a grande ecole with a full schorlaship covering tuition and living expenses. I did my internship at TechnipFMC. The fact is that French people are so glued with their language.Despite that our documentation is in English including slides, and any other documents, they still prefer to speak French .

I came to Nigeria for a brief holiday, and I will be coming back by October ending. I am still positive that there are better opportunity there, even though u don't speak the language.

If you want, u can reach me on bukkyakangbe@gmail.com. We can get connected .

DexterousOne:
Whatever you do


DON'T COME BACK TO NIGERIA


You will so so regret it.

Now I am looking for a way to.run back out

You did well

And your advice is well taken

Good advice, I will never advice you to come back to this Nigeria bro. You are still very young, stay back and hustle for a while, if u like u can cross over to Canada.

I came in to Nigeria 31st of August with d hope that at least If I get a good job I can stay back at least for a while since my wife and child are in Nigeria. It seems there is no hope here.

Infact, I had to rethink about my decision. People are really suffering here. Aside, so many people depend on u, and u cant sit back and do nothing.

Stay back bro

electromagnito:


Thanks bro, you got it exactly... get a 12(PhD grade) in france is like going to heaven... but we pull through and thanks for your advise, i will work towards that.

Yeah, I might be interested in this Visa too, let me check

Stay back bro and I pray Almighty Allah will lead you through the tough time.

electromagnito:
I have always wanted to study abroad, i graduated from a state university in Nigeria with a Nice CGPA studying Physics and Electronics, after i finished my services in 2016 i got a Job as a supervisor in an electrical company for a two month project after this project i got my admission letter from France to study so i needed to work to save up, i got a contract job at first bank..now let start the story... it has been 2years now, i feel i should share my experience, well 2years ago i was here, got admitted to france to study theoretical physics Msc. at Universite de Cergy Pontoise 20km away from central paris, i dont know if i made a mistake going to france or i should have stayed in Nigeria, when i traveled to france september 17th 2017, without little or no help. I traveled with just 750 euros, this was money i had saved up from working, because i had no one to help me. When i got to france, i went straight to my university where i paid the inscription fee of 246 euros and also registered for french class for 210 euros, the money left with me was about 480euros, i had no place to stay because i was too late to get the CROUS, i started asking myself some question on how to survive in this harsh environment i cant speak the language, so i had to stay with a course mate for somedays, i was attending lectures and thinking of what next at the same time, my brain was unstable. I finally met a Nigerian who said i can share his place but i have to pay half the rent, i told him i have just 480 with me, i will pay you 400 for 2 month and if i get a job before then i will move, by december when it was very cold, i didnt getr a job and i couldnt pay the house rent, the Nigeria guy drove me out and i almost felt like giving up plus i was till going to school in all those harsh condition, then a close friend of mine yannick who happens to be french told me he was going to talk to his mom for me since i have helped him in programming exam and he scored 16/20. So his mum accepted me and i stayed with them throughout december then i got a night job in January, so i pleaded with my friend parent that they should give me just january to move out, Note i was working all night and still go to school, Feburary 2018 i left to my own rented appartment, now life was getting better but at the stake of my education, i was able to pull through the first year having a overall grade for M1 at 11.8/20 i felt bad knowing my result in Nigeria was a way better graduating with 4.43 CGPA. Because of my love for school i decided not to give up and registered for M2, most of my professor didnt like me though because they knew i was working overnight and i was still passing their exams despite not been stable, in france the hardest master is theoretical physics trust me. M2 started and i knew this was last chance of improving my grade so i could get a phD since that was my goal before i traveled abroad, M2 was still indifferent from M1 hate from professor plus i still had to work all night to pay my bills, my house rent was 300euros per month and i still support my family in Nigeria with any amount i have. after the first session of M2 i had 11.3/20, i was not too happy because my best friend in class got 14/20, although he got a phd now in lyon, so i went insearch of internship known as stage for my masters thesis, i got a good place at ESPCI CNRS paris, so i was going to my stage and still working at night. I finished my stage this month september 2019 and also defended my Master thesis on 6th of this month. at the end of the day i graduated with an aggregated of 12.5/20. I couldnt get a Phd cause most Phd proposal are taken since i finish late, presently now, i am seraching for a phd and also thinking of coming back home since i am just 26yrs old, i have option of changing my status and be working during the night but this is not a job one can do forever, now i dont know what next for me, although i applied to phd programme in other country but no news. my advise if you dont speak french dont go to france, it is useless, after you finish, you wont get a job.

Become a Foreign Legionnaire and get your citizenship in 3 years. I personally know one guy who did it. During the France v Croatia World Cup Final, he did not allow the whole viewing centre rest....flashing his dark blue passport up and down and celebrating wildly whenever France scored.

stagger:


Become a Foreign Legionnaire and get your citizenship in 3 years. I personally know one guy who did it. During the France v Croatia World Cup Final, he did not allow the whole viewing centre rest....flashing his dark blue passport up and down and celebrating wildly whenever France scored.

France does not have a dark blue passport
Well at least not ordinary passport
It's burgundy

I have always come back to read this thread year upon year before and after getting to France and I better understand what Electro talked about.

Electromagnito, you went through A LOT. How can you spend so much on French class and you didn't get CROUS? I just can't imagine being penniless in such a harsh place.

Something people don't talk about in Nairaland is the low wages in France compared to other top European countries like UK and Germany. At €9.50/hour (€760/month), you have more than simple financial management responsibilities on your hands. 20 hours/week in combination with studies, your body will shake. That is even if you find a 20 hours/week job in which case, you barely have anything to save after removing rent, food, phone bills and sending something back home. People earning 600k/month in Nigeria are living more comfortably than many in France.

I try not to discourage Nigerians from thinking of migrating to France but think deeply about it. Make it a second option if you can. Too many migrants, and the far right are fighting back. Policies are being changed and turning unfavourable. African kids who are raised in-country (Primary to tertiary) and speak French like their mother tongue are having to look for greener opportunities in UK and Canada.

Every person has their priorities as well but learning French solely to get a job in France is not a top of priority in my opinion. You can gain fluency enough to communicate (which can be tasking) but can you learn up to a professional level in 2 years? Like I said, it depends on the person.