Someone you know has left or is planning to leave. 1,000 Ways To Japa will speak to real people and explore the infinite number of reasons and paths they use to get to Japa
Maria went from being a fairly paid teacher in Nigeria to a well-paid teacher in the US. In this story, she shares exactly how she left Nigeria through a teacher exchange program and how others can do the same.
Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?
I currently live in Texas, USA, and I moved in December 2024.
Congratulations! How exactly did that happen?
I am a special education teacher, and I discovered that there are recruitment agencies that recruit social education teachers in American schools. I applied to a few agencies; some got back to me, others didn’t. Typically, you have to pay a fee to the agencies, but if you’re lucky, the school that wants to hire you might decide to cover the agency fee on your behalf. I was lucky. After my interviews, the school that offered me a position volunteered to pay a portion of the agency fee. That’s the simple summary of how I moved. The school paid a portion of the agency fee, I paid the balance, applied for my visa, and moved.
Now, can I get the detailed explanation of the entire process?
The process can be different depending on the agency. For example, some agencies will ask for IELTS, while others don鈥檛. In my case, I had to do a credential evaluation, which most people do through World Education Services (WES). I used another organisation called because my agency has a discount arrangement with them.聽 After that, I had to do two audio interviews where the agency asked about my years of experience. You need at least two years of work experience to qualify.聽 Once you pass the first rounds, they send your CV to different schools looking for teachers. The schools then review your credentials and may request an interview with you. In my case, I had two video interviews with the school.
After the interviews, the school contacted the agency to inform them that they’d like to hire me. Anyone interested in exploring this relocation route should know that some agencies offer employment assistance for free, but mine wasn鈥檛 one of them. In fact, they require you to pay a yearly fee until your contract ends, and it’s a five-year contract.聽 Once you receive your employment offer, you’ll be sent a form, which you need to apply for your visa. However,聽 getting an employment offer doesn’t guarantee a visa. You can still be denied. I was denied the first time I applied, but got approved on my second attempt. That’s the step-by-step process.聽
ALSO READ: How to Pass the IELTS on Your First Try, According to Band 7.5 Students Who Did It
Which agencies would you recommend?
I recommend , , , and . Global Teachers Exchange is free, but the competition is intense because it鈥檚 free. If you choose an agency that charges, be aware that it can cost as much as $3,500.
Can you give me a more detailed cost breakdown?
I had to take the IELTS exam, which cost about 鈧�185,000 at the time. It’s now about 鈧�280,000. The credential evaluation with WES typically costs about $200, but as I mentioned earlier, my agency uses another organisation that offers a discount, so I paid about $100. Agency fees range from $2000 to $4,000. The visa application costs $185.There鈥檚 also the SEVIS fee, which is about $220. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is like a license you need to move to the US as a teacher. Flight fees vary, and I recommend securing accommodation before arriving.
You’ve spent almost six months in the US. How has your life changed?
I had a soft landing because of my job, but I’m still adjusting to many things. For example, there are very few Nigerians in my area. Thankfully, I was assigned a Kenyan mentor when I moved here. Many Kenyan teachers in my school moved through the same route, so they are the ones I mostly roll with. Financially, it鈥檚 still an adjustment. I moved here with only $1,500. To make things worse, there鈥檚 no public transport in my town, so I’m stuck with Uber until I can afford a car.
That鈥檚 a big change. What’s it like teaching in the US?
It was strange at first. We use the British curriculum in Nigeria, so I had to adapt to the American curriculum. I also had to learn new software for reporting, planning, and paperwork. The teaching itself isn鈥檛 stressful; it鈥檚 the reporting and paperwork that鈥檚 time-consuming. But I’m adjusting. I’m also learning to speak slowly so my white colleagues and students can understand me.
On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in America?
I don’t think I can put a number to it yet, but if I had to, I’d say five. I’m grateful to be here, but I’m not very happy. I don’t have friends yet, there are lots of bills, and I’m still trying to settle in.
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