Essential things you must have before you japa

People don tire for Nigeria. 

Any forward-thinking Nigerian youth is desperately seeking for means to japa.

But there are some essentials you must have before you japa if you want peace of mind.

1. Get a passport 

The first step to making plans to leave Nigeria is to have a valid passport. 

Japa issue aside, an international passport is one of the essential documents a global citizen must have, whether they have travel plans or not.

Start applying for your passport well ahead of your travel, especially if you require visas from foreign embassies.

Though the passport application procedure is typically very straightforward, occasionally, administrative issues arise and make the entire process take much longer than expected.

2. Get the right visas

People are denied entry to countries daily because they lack the necessary visas; in such cases, you are not even permitted to leave the airport.

This “small mistake” could cost you thousands of dollars because you’ll have to depart the country immediately on the next available flight.

To avoid such misfortune, research and find out about the visa requirements for your destination country and ensure you have it.

3. Accommodation

You don’t want to land in a foreign land and sleep on the streets.

That is why having a friend, relative or acquaintance in your destination country is advisable. The person will pick you up from the airport and make sure you have a place to lay your head and eat good food till you find your bearings.

However, if you don’t have anyone or you are just touring, it is wise to pre-book at least one night’s accommodation in a hotel or motel.

4. Viable credit and debit cards

Travelling abroad is a big move, especially if you plan to stay for an extended period. Therefore, getting your finances straight is paramount.

Call your bank and credit card companies to let them know where you’ll be before you leave for your travel; if they discover foreign charges without knowing you’re travelling, they may freeze your cards, which may be quite inconvenient if you’re at a store or trying to pay for a meal. 

A wiser option would be to have a foreign bank account and credit/debit cards to enable you to carry out your financial transactions smoothly.

Also, find out the exchange rate and know how much things generally cost in your destination country so that you get some sense of how much you will spend. 

5. Means of livelihood

It is wise to have a viable means of livelihood in the destination country, especially if you’ll be staying for long.

For those travelling through the scholarship route, you may not need to worry much about earning a living to support yourself, especially if it is fully funded.

But for those who are going there to settle or who have partial scholarships, it is expedient to have a means of livelihood.

You could be a professional, a skilled artisan, a technician, or a business person; just ensure you have the competencies to thrive in your destination country.

6. Comfortable clothing

There’s nothing as inconvenient as packing the wrong clothes for harsh weather.

There are stories of people packing sweaters and cardigans for a snow-falling country, only to find out that their clothing was almost useless for the weather they meet there.

It is important to know the weather peculiarity of your target country, the type of clothes they wear for different weather conditions, the cost of the clothes and where you can buy them; this knowledge will help you plan your wardrobe and pack the right clothes.  

7. Adaptable Devices

In this tech age and knowledge economy, it will be a misfortune not to have the right electronic devices with the right capacity for your target country.

You don’t want to be unable to do your work because your laptop cannot carry the electric current of your target country.

To avoid such problems, find out the electric capacity of your target country and check if your devices can adapt. You can also buy adapters to enable you to carry on with your life and work smoothly.

8. Have a budget.

This is especially useful if you plan to stay for a lengthy period. Check out the cost of living in the country you want to go to and calculate your monthly expenses for things like accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment. If you are on a personal tour, estimate how much you will spend on lodging, restaurants, excursions, sightseeing, etc.

In any case, be prudent about the costs and bring more cash than you anticipate needing. Be ready for any unforeseen events and emergencies that may occur.

9. Get a travel insurance

Before you travel, try to get travel insurance; that is a smart way to protect your trip, and your money is to purchase travel insurance unless your study or work package covers your insurance.  

If not, consider buying a short-term insurance policy covering your health, accidents, loss or mishap while abroad. 

Remember, you are not in your home country where you might have friends and families step in for you; you are a long way from home. So, It’s good to over-prepare.

10. Get vaccinated and have a mini medical kit

First, you need to go for a thorough medical checkup to ensure that you are in good health. After that, get your COVID-19 shot. You could require particular vaccinations or pills as a preventative measure against various diseases, depending on where you’re going.

Make sure you have enough of any prescription medications you typically take to last the duration of your trip to avoid running out while you’re away from home. Also, it’s a good idea to bring non-prescription medications (such aspirin etc.) that might not be simple to find, especially if you’re travelling to a remote location.

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