HOW PREVIOUS CAREER REJECTION IN DIASPORA MADE ME QUESTION MY INTELLIGENCE

As a current researcher with a research institute in the university of Bayreuth, Germany. I decided to migrate to access a more quality education, build a career and settle in a more conducive environment.

In this interview I will highlight my steps and struggles through transitioning into this new phase of my career.

What made you decide to migrate?

‘My decision to migrate was to access a more quality education, build a career and settle in a more conducive environment.’

Are you abroad for school, scholarship, family, just relocated or personal reasons?

“Travelled abroad for school- master’s degree to be precise.”

 kindly explain how you started from finding a school to applications and other details. kindly shed brief info for others that want to follow suit so they can learn.

“I was thrilled by the prospect of getting a quality tuition-free education in Germany. In this view, I set to work and searched (daad.de) for universities that offer programs in environmental sciences. I found the MSc program in Global Change Ecology at the University of Bayreuth. This was really appealing, and I further made an application to the school. I was invited for a short interview a couple of months later. This went well, and an admission letter was issued the following week. Afterwards, I booked an appointment with the German embassy in my home country and got an interview appointment with the embassy. I got my visa like four weeks after the interview and the rest is …”

How long did it take before the whole process became a success?

“The school application process started around May 2016 and Got my visa in the middle of November 2016. So… the whole process took around 7 months”

Finding a career path here in the diaspora?

“The goal is to settle and have a career here.”

 How smooth was the journey?

“It sure wasn’t a smooth ride. It was a great moment when I earned my degree. Thinking about the struggles I went through to achieve the success was something worth reflecting on”

What are the challenges?

“The biggest was the language barrier, it made it hard to get a student job at first and to also socialize and network. Working and studying as a student was tedious and having to also take language classes. In addition to these made it feel like I had the responsibilities of the whole world on my shoulders.”

How does it feel to finally get a yes after rejections (if any), either for schooling or relocation, or finding a job in the diaspora, or settling down?

“After the many rejections, getting a positive response to one of the numerous job applications that was kept in brought an excitement that was really overwhelming. It gave the feeling that- “I am still intelligent after all”.

The previous rejections made me question my intelligence at some point during my job search, however, it also revived my confidence.”

How do you think people in your similar situation can deal with rejection?

“Based on my experience, I know for a fact that no matter the amount of rejected applications, there would be a positive response later. Try to learn from the mistakes from previous applications, improve on them and send out more applications. Never give up- no amount of application is too many. Also talk to the people that are close to you, for encouragement and mental support”

What would you say to that person planning to give up on their scholarship/funding dream or career growth right now?

“Widen your horizon, you’ll discover there are lots of scholarship/funding out there that you never knew existed and trust that, there are ones that your profile fits as the best candidate for the funding”

How do you like it so far abroad compared to the past?

“Initially when I first came, it was difficult to integrate due to the culture shock: Languages, behavior and food and the cold weather. But now, I have integrated well into the system and even love cycling in winter! I appreciate more the organized system here compared to where I came from and the social benefits and access to affordable health care system”

Brief info on how people looking to migrate for schooling or relocation can put in great application?

“As a student assistant during my studies, I had the opportunity of working with the admission committee and the most important factor considered for admission is the motivation letter. Having a strong motivation letter either as part of a document or as an email to potential supervisors could land you that admission easily. Try to build a strong motivation letter stating why you want to study the program and why you chose that institution. Also, highlight your experience and skills that you hope to apply during the program. Your training needs and expected challenges during the program and what you aim to achieve at the …”

“Blending into the community abroad, how did you overcome the cultural difference?

In Germany, it is hard to socialize if you do not understand the language, so I tried my best to learn the language fast and engage in extra curricula activities firstly amongst my classmates and later, the locals. These activities include joining a soccer and cycling club. From there, I was able to meet new people and was invited to dinners and parties. This made it easy for me to integrate, however might be a different experience in countries with no language barrier”

How to deal with loneliness/mental health issue.

“The easiest way to deal with loneliness abroad is to engage in available social activities instead of keeping to yourself. If you notice any mental health issues, talk to people around you, seek the help of a therapist immediately. Do not try to solve your problems all by yourself!”

Final words of encouragement.

‘As you are trying to make a living for yourself abroad, please know that “all of us will eat breakfast. it is just that the time everyone will eat their own differs”. In other words, lines would fall in pleasant places in due time after settling down in diaspora. Just that people’s timing are different, ensure you sit tight and let your eyes remain focused on the goal!”

Theo