10 Shocking Truths Africans Discover After Moving to the UK, Germany, U.S. & Canada in 2025
Introduction: The Dream vs. The Reality
Relocating to countries like the UK, U.S., Germany, or Canada is a dream for many Africans. Whether it’s better education, career opportunities, or a safer environment, the reasons are often deeply personal and valid. But what most people won’t tell you is that life abroad is not automatically easier — it’s different, complex, and often emotionally challenging.
This post is your brutally honest guide. These are the 10 things no one tells you before you pack your bags, sell your car, or quit your job in Nigeria (or elsewhere in Africa) to start a new life in “the abroad.”
1. 🏠 Housing Is Expensive — And Hard to Secure
If you think Lagos rent is high, wait till you try apartment-hunting in London, Toronto, Berlin, or New York.
In many cities, demand far outpaces supply — especially for immigrants.
In Germany, many landlords require:
• A SCHUFA credit report
• A three-month payslip
• Proof of residency
• And yes, sometimes a German guarant
In Canada and the U.S., credit history is king — and as a newcomer, you likely have none.
✅ External Resources:
2. 📉 You Might Feel “Poor” Even with a Good Salary
This is one of the hardest shocks for new migrants:
Earning $3,000/month does NOT feel rich when rent is $1,500, insurance is $400, taxes take 30%, and groceries aren’t cheap.
It’s not uncommon for a migrant to feel they were more financially comfortable back home — at least for the first 1–2 years.
💡Tip: Budget for at least 6–12 months of adaptation, and keep emergency funds aside.
3. 🧾 Legal Documents Are a Maze — Especially for Nigerians
Whether it’s visa renewal, work permits, or applying for permanent residency, immigration systems are paper-heavy, bureaucratic, and emotionally draining.
Common Frustrations:
- Delays from home embassies
- Unrecognized documents (like university degrees)
- Unclear pathways to citizenship
✅ Helpful Resources:
4. 🧠 Mental Health Struggles Are Real
Isolation. Culture shock. Microaggressions. Burnout.
Many African migrants suffer silently because mental health is still a taboo topic.
You may:
- Miss your family deeply
- Struggle with identity (“Am I African or Western now?”)
- Experience racism or “othering” in subtle but painful ways
✅ If you’re feeling this way, you’re not alone. Consider speaking to diaspora mental health networks or trained therapists in your new country.
5. 💸 Banking & Sending Money Back Isn’t Always Easy or Cheap
Remittance is a core part of African migration life. But many don’t realize that not all money transfer apps work well, and foreign bank fees can be outrageous.
🧾 You may face:
- Delays in transferring funds
- Exchange rate losses
- Suspicious account reviews (especially with large transactions)
✅ Read this internal guide:
👉 2025 Relocation Guide: Unexpected Expenses Nigerians Face Living in the UK, Germany & USA
✅ Top Money Transfer Apps for Nigerians Abroad (External):
6. 🌐 Your Nigerian Qualifications Might Not Count
Sad but true: many African degrees, licenses, or work experiences are not recognized or respected in the Western job market.
For example:
- A trained Nigerian pharmacist might need to start from scratch in Canada
- Nigerian lawyers need re-certification in the UK
- IT professionals may be overlooked without “international” certs like AWS, PMP, or Google
💡Solution? Start upskilling before you move.
✅ Online Platforms:
7. 🌍 You’ll Be Shocked How Little Westerners Know About Africa
Expect awkward questions:
- “Do you guys speak English in Nigeria?”
- “Do you have internet there?”
- “Africa is a country, right?”
Be patient — and remember that part of your journey abroad is also one of cultural education.
8. 🛑 Police, Systemic Racism & ID Checks Are Real Risks
While you may feel safer from armed robbery or political instability, there’s a new kind of danger: systemic bias.
For example:
- In Germany, you can be ID-checked simply for “looking foreign”
- In the U.S., police interactions can escalate quickly
- In the UK, Black immigrants face higher deportation risks
📌 Know your rights and always have your documentation on you.
9. 🧾 Taxes, Insurance & Fees Will Shock You
You’ll pay for:
- Health insurance (not free!)
- Rental insurance
- Monthly mobile + internet bills
- Utility bills (sometimes more than rent)
👉 Read this post if you haven’t:
2025 Relocation Guide: Unexpected Expenses Nigerians Face Living in the UK, Germany & USA
✅ Useful Tools:
10. 🧭 Your First Job Abroad May Be “Below” Your Qualifications
You may be:
- A certified engineer doing Uber
- A university lecturer working as a security guard
- An accountant taking dishwashing shifts
This doesn’t mean you’re a failure.
It’s a stage — not the destination. Many Africans rise from “survival jobs” to permanent careers in 2–5 years. Stay humble, hungry, and focused.
🎯 Final Thoughts: Prepare Now, Adapt Quickly
Living abroad is not just about escaping hardship — it’s about learning, adjusting, and thriving in new systems. The earlier you accept the realities, the faster you’ll adapt.
Keep your dreams high, but your eyes open.
📸 Photo Credit : Image generated by OpenAI’s DALL·E, styled by ChatGPT
Comments
Post a Comment
Have something to say? Drop your thoughts below – let’s gist!