This personal narrative is based on a conversation with Philip, a Nigerian who got a scholarship for his undergraduate studies abroad and a student loan to pursue his MBA at MIT, USA. AfterSchoolAfrica has verified his employment and education history. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
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My love for American music culture fueled my passion for studying in America. As a young boy born and raised in Nigeria, I grew up listening to artists like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg and watching videos that displayed the beauty of America; that was all I needed to fall in love with the country.
We didn’t have the luxury of the Internet then, so I knew I needed to put in the work if I wanted to pursue my dreams. I used to go to the United States Information Service office at Marina in Lagos to read books about America and migrating to America. This was the way I could perform research.
I also didn’t have a mentor or a study-abroad counsellor to put me through. So it was quite difficult to get the right guidance. But as time went by, my hard work finally paid off.
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I found out during my research that there were certain exams I could take if I wanted to study in America. I could take the SAT exam here in Nigeria which would enable me to pursue my undergraduate studies and GMAT for MBA. Of course, it wasn’t just about taking the exam, I had to study hard and get good grades to increase my chances.
Funding was also a huge problem for me. Coming from a third-world country and desiring to study in a first-world country meant that I had to put in extra work if I wanted to increase my chances as my parents weren’t exactly rich.
I took the exam and I passed really well and that was the beginning of my success story. Afterwards, I went to research a list of accredited schools and was able to finally make a choice. I took it a step further by applying for a scholarship which I got.
Having a fully funded scholarship meant that the burden of funding my education was lifted. Although I knew that I still had a long way to go, I was excited to start the journey. The young boy who loved Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre and who admired America was soon going to be part of the system.
While I was in school, I was able to shuffle and pick up different jobs so it could help me financially in addition to the scholarship. I was only just a student though, so there was just so much I could do. My student visa only allowed me to work for 20 hours per week.
After my graduation, I worked for a few years before deciding that it was time to pursue my MBA. I have always been passionate about and dedicated to growth. So, when I wanted to pursue my MBA, I chose the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) which is the top school as it stands as number one according to QS world ranking. Being a top-tier school meant that it was highly competitive and I needed the best result to get in.
I was fortunate to pass the cut-off mark and I was offered admission. But the competitive nature of the school wasn’t the only challenge I had to face. I was young, and a fresh graduate who wanted more out of life and who had decided to pursue his master’s degree. This wouldn’t have been a challenge if I had a sponsor, but putting my background into consideration, I knew I needed help with funding if I wanted to complete this next big step in my life.
Even though I had been working since my undergraduate years, there was no way I could fund the bills for my master’s degree without any form of external help. Additionally, due to the competitive nature of the school, I also had to act fast hence the next big decision of my life which I decided to take.
As a Nigerian, there’s a default concern when the subject of a loan is brought up. “Where can I get a loan? How do I pay back?” These are some of the thoughts that ran through your mind. When I started my study abroad journey, I didn’t have access to enough resources so my knowledge wasn’t as vast as it is now. However, I’m grateful I got to meet good people along the way who put me through certain things when I became confused.
I came to learn about the loan option, which was finally what I got to fund my MBA at MIT. When you get a student loan, all you have to do is focus on performing excellently in school so you can get a good-paying job. After your graduation, you can now start paying your loan. You also don’t get to pay everything at once as there are certain percentages (based on the terms given to you) that you must pay monthly over a stipulated number of years.
Moreover, as an international master’s student, you’re still permitted to work in the United States but combining school and work is quite hectic and takes a lot of intentionality to achieve. It’s not easy but it is possible.
The highly competitive nature of MIT contributed to my getting a job at General Electric (GE) after I finished my MBA. At this point, it seemed all my hard work was beginning to pay off and I could also afford to pay my student loan.
Based on my agreement with the loan company, there’s a percentage of my income that goes into the payment of the loan monthly without inconveniencing me in any way.
I don’t have to bother or worry about the repayment as my income can conveniently afford me to pay for the loan. It wasn’t easy at the time I was applying for the loan, but now, as a result of the help the loan offered, I have access to better opportunities and a broader perspective of choices in terms of offers that I could choose from that’ll enable me confidently pay off the loan after some time.
After working in the United States for some time, I deeply desired to return to Nigeria. I had come to America as a young man seeking growth and better opportunities, but over time, I began to miss many things about home, having been away for so long.
Imagine having to pursue your undergraduate degree, work, obtain your master’s degree and work without being with your parents and family. That’s quite a long time away from home.
Looking back, I realize that my longing for home and desire to spend more time with my family in Nigeria felt more like a calling. Shortly after I returned, my mother passed away. I would have been devastated if this had happened while I was still in America. But thankfully, I had already had the chance to travel back and spend time with my family.
I should also add that coming back to Nigeria didn’t affect my loan repayment status. I could still afford my monthly payments. I was able to buy a house in America and rent it out – serving as a passive source of income that helped me make my student loan repayment on time.
Looking back now, the only thing I regret is not having easy access to the right information to aid my journey. Although this cost me a few more years longer than normal, I’m thankful I finally got to live my dream. The young and seemingly clueless boy finally got a work visa to stay in America and work at a prestigious company.
For students considering studying abroad but struggling with funding, there’s a reliable solution:
AfterSchoolAfrica offers loans up to $100,000 to cover your huge educational expenses. One of the key benefits is that you do not have to worry about providing collateral or the repayment while studying. Why? Because payments begin after graduation. Additionally, we provide flexible repayment plans, with terms extending up to 10 years. If you’re ready to start your student loan journey, reach out to us for expert guidance on the process.
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