Japa vs. Japada: The Raw Truth About Moving Abroad and Why Some People Return Home

Ever scrolled through YouTube or TikTok and noticed a wave of videos about Japada…….stories of people who once left Nigeria (Japa) for the “better life” abroad, only to pack up and return home?

These stories are intense, ranging from “Okay, that happened” to heartbreaking accounts of depression, brutal weather, culture shock, and the shadow of racism.

My inbox overflows with questions from people asking, “What’s life in Germany or Europe in general really like after the big move?”

If you’re considering taking that leap or already abroad and feeling the strain, this is for you.

Let’s cut through the noise and talk honestly about the Japada phenomenon.

Wait, What Does “Japada” Even Mean?

For my non-Nigerian readers, here’s a quick breakdown of the slang:

Japa – Is a Nigerian pidgin term of Yoruba origin meaning to emigrate or relocate abroad, often to the UK, Canada. It’s about the exit.
Japada – This is the reverse. It means coming back home after living abroad.

This isn’t about people who were born overseas and are connecting with their roots; it’s about those who left Nigeria seeking greener pastures and are now returning after life on the other side.

The Stories We’re Hearing: From Struggle to Survival

A common thread runs through most Japada stories: unfulfilled expectations and tough realities. Video titles say it all:

This Country Was Not for Me!
I’d Rather Go Back Home Than Die Here!
The European Dream Is a Lie!

These narratives often describe juggling multiple exhausting jobs, battling loneliness, and facing systemic barriers.

It’s easy to think:
“Is everyone out there suffering? Is the dream just a myth?”

But let’s slow down and put things in perspective.

The Uncomfortable Truth: Not Everyone Will Thrive Abroad

Relocation is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Mr. A’s story will never mirror Ms. B’s or Mr. C’s.

Some people Japada because it was always the plan: a master’s degree, a two-year work contract, or just an adventure before returning home. For others, returning feels like defeat, but in reality, it’s simply a personal choice shaped by circumstances.

Your journey depends heavily on two things: why you move and how you move.

Why Your Pathway Matters

Your pathway sets the tone for your experience abroad:

Relocating for Work: You arrive with a job, so financial stress is lighter. The main challenge is integration and settling in.
Relocating for Studies: You’re focused on school but constantly worrying about “what’s next?” and securing work afterward.
Other Routes (Au Pair, Family Reunion, Asylum or just for adventure): Each comes with its realities, challenges, and support structures. Comparing an asylum seeker’s journey to that of a corporate transferee is like comparing apples and strawberries.

Age and personality also play huge roles. A 22-year-old can take bigger risks and recover faster. A 40-year-old with a family? There’s less room for instability and more need for security.

The Biggest Hurdle: Integration

Integration is often where the real battle begins, and where your destination matters most.

An English-speaking Nigerian moving to the UK, US, or Canada dodges the language barrier entirely. Culture shock might still sting, but communication smooths the transition.

But moving to Germany, France, or Sweden without speaking the language? That’s climbing a steep, slippery wall. Learning both language and culture simultaneously can be mentally draining.

Your personality also shapes this experience

Outgoing people naturally build communities faster. Introverts? They need deliberate effort, and it can be exhausting. But whether natural or not, building community is essential. It doesn’t just happen; you have to make it happen.

Debunking the “Africans Are Suffering Abroad” Myth

Let’s set the record straight: Struggle is not exclusive to Africans abroad. It’s a human experience.

Yes, some people face brutal challenges, but many Africans are thriving. They are leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs building fulfilling lives overseas.

The idea that you’ll work three jobs to survive isn’t everyone’s truth.

I’ve been in Germany for over five years, working one full-time job at a time. My side projects, like YouTube and volunteering, are choices, not survival tactics.

Your reality will depend on your profession, qualifications, and most importantly your financial planning.

How to Give Yourself a Fighting Chance (and Avoid an Unplanned Japada)

If you want to thrive abroad, you need more than just a visa. You need a game plan:

Plan. Then Plan Some More.
“I just want to Japa” is not a plan. Ask yourself: Why am I moving? What will I do there? What’s my pathway? Research until you have answers.
Hit the Ground Running.
Arrive and execute. If language is a barrier, learning it becomes priority number one. Procrastination here is dangerous.
Curate Your Circle Carefully.
The first people you meet will shape your outlook. Avoid constant complainers. Surround yourself with positive, ambitious, and well-integrated people.
Stop Comparing Your Chapter 1 to Someone Else’s Chapter 20.
Celebrate others’ wins without feeling behind. Your journey is yours alone.
Don’t Let Racism Define Your Limits.
Acknowledge it, but don’t make it your identity. Walk into every room knowing you belong.
Surviving Is Not the Goal, Thriving Is.
Survival jobs can be stepping stones, but don’t let them become traps. Keep your bigger vision alive.
Keep Ties Back Home.
Relationships and assets back home can be lifelines. Don’t burn bridges or sell everything to fund your move, as you may need that safety net.

So, Is Japada a Failure?

Absolutely not.

Life is about seeking fulfillment, and sometimes that’s abroad, sometimes it’s at home.

What matters most is making decisions free from social media pressure, family expectations, or fear of judgment. Your journey is yours, own it, shape it, and live it unapologetically.

At the end of the day, whether you’re chasing new opportunities across borders or rediscovering home, the goal is the same: to build a life where you can truly thrive, not just survive.