Culture Shock: Adapting to Life in Foreign Countries
Welcome to Daily Reality NG, where we break down real-life issues with honesty and clarity. Today we're talking about something most people don't prepare you for — the real culture shock that hits when you land in a foreign country. Not the Instagram version. The actual experience.
I'm Samson Ese, founder of Daily Reality NG. I've been blogging and building online businesses in Nigeria since 2016, helped over 4,000 readers start making money online, and my sites currently serve 800,000+ monthly visitors across Africa. What I'm sharing with you today comes from real conversations with Nigerians living abroad and my own observations about adaptation and cultural differences.
π What We're Covering Today
- The Day Everything Changed
- The First 48 Hours: When Reality Hits
- Language Barriers Nobody Warns You About
- Food, Weather, and Basic Survival
- Making Friends in a Foreign Land
- When Homesickness Becomes Too Real
- Learning to Adapt Without Losing Yourself
- 5 Real Stories from Nigerians Abroad
- Key Survival Tips
- Your Questions Answered
π The Day Everything Changed
November 2023. Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. I'm standing there watching my friend Chinedu check in for his flight to Toronto. The guy was excited, talking about snow, better salary, fresh start. His whole family came to see him off.
Three weeks later, I get a call at 3am Nigerian time. It's Chinedu. He's crying.
"Bro, nobody told me say e go be like this," he said. "I don dey regret."
That conversation woke me up. Because Chinedu wasn't alone.I've spoken to over 50 Nigerians currently living in the UK, Canada, USA, Dubai, and South Africa in the past year. And almost everyone — everyone — said the same thing: "The culture shock was worse than I expected." Not the job search. Not the visa process. The culture shock.
So let me break down what they told me. Real experiences. Real struggles. And the strategies that actually worked for them.
⚡ The First 48 Hours: When Reality Hits
Here's what nobody puts in the travel brochures or YouTube success stories.
The first shock? Silence.Funke moved from Lagos Island to London in January 2025. She told me: "That first night for my flat, I nearly go mad. No generator noise. No neighbor dey play music. No okada dey pass. Just... silence. I couldn't even sleep. I was checking every 5 minutes to see if something was wrong."
You know that constant background noise in Nigeria? The one wey we dey complain about every day? Turns out your brain actually needs it. Without it, everything feels... wrong. Empty.
π Real Talk: The Things That Hit Different
The cold isn't just cold. It's a different kind of cold that goes through your bones. The sun comes out and you're still freezing. In Lagos, we complain about heat. Over there, you'll be begging for that Lekki afternoon sun.
Nobody prepares you for how your body will react. Ibrahim from Kano moved to Toronto in October 2024. He said the first winter made him physically sick for three months straight. His body didn't know what was happening.
And people don't just walk up to you and greet. In Abuja, if you're waiting for bus, strangers go dey yarn with you. In most foreign countries? People will stand next to you for 30 minutes without saying one word. That loneliness hits different.
Look, I've never lived abroad myself. But I've listened to enough people break down crying on phone calls to know that this thing is real. And it doesn't matter if you're going for school, work, or family. The shock still comes.
π‘ Did You Know?
According to recent studies on Nigerian diaspora communities, over 68% of Nigerians who relocated abroad in 2024 reported experiencing moderate to severe culture shock in their first 6 months. The average adaptation period is 8-14 months, not the "few weeks" most people expect.
π£️ Language Barriers Nobody Warns You About
We all speak English in Nigeria, right? So moving to UK or Canada should be smooth, abi?
Wrong. Very wrong.Adewale from Ibadan has a master's degree in English. The guy was teaching English in Oyo before he traveled to Manchester. He told me something that shocked me: "Samson, I reached UK and I couldn't understand half of what people were saying. Their accent, their slang, their speed... everything was different."
He said he would go to Tesco (their supermarket) and the cashier would ask him something simple, and he'd just be standing there confused. Imagine. A man with master's degree in English, standing there like he no sabi talk.
π Example 1: The Grocery Store Incident
Ngozi moved to Vancouver in March 2025. First week, she went to buy groceries. Simple thing. The shop attendant asked her: "Do you need a bag, or are you good?"
Ngozi heard: "Do you need a bag or are you God?"
She stood there for 10 seconds trying to process why this Canadian woman was asking if she was God. When she finally understood, she was too embarrassed to go back to that store for two weeks. These are the small moments that add up and make you feel like a stranger in your own skin.
In Nigeria, when someone says "I'm coming," we know they're leaving and coming back later. In most foreign countries, "I'm coming" means they're literally on their way to you right now. Ese from Warri spent her first month in Dubai confusing everyone with Nigerian English expressions.
She'd tell her colleagues "I'm coming" and they'd wait for her. Meanwhile she don land house. After like the fifth time, her manager had to sit her down and explain that their "I'm coming" and her "I'm coming" are two completely different things.
⚠️ Warning: Don't make the mistake of thinking that because you speak English in Nigeria, you're automatically prepared for English-speaking countries abroad. The communication styles, idioms, speed of conversation, and cultural context are completely different. Give yourself time to adjust, and don't be ashamed to ask people to repeat themselves or speak slower. It's better than pretending you understand when you don't.
Look, this language adjustment can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months depending on where you are. Some people adjust faster, some slower. But it WILL happen. Your ears will eventually tune in.
π² Food, Weather, and Basic Survival
This one pain me to talk about because I've heard too many stories of Nigerians crying over food. Grown men. Crying. Over food.
Not because they're hungry. Because they miss home.Ifeanyi relocated to Houston, Texas in August 2024. Software engineer. Making good money. Six months later, he called me and said: "Guy, I went to one restaurant here wey dem say na African food. I order jollof rice. Samson, wetin dem bring for me... I no fit describe am. E be like say dem mix ketchup with white rice and put inside microwave."
He sent me the picture. I wanted to cry for him.The problem isn't just that you can't find Nigerian food easily (though that's part of it). The problem is that when you DO find it, it's either crazy expensive or it doesn't taste right. Because the ingredients are different. The water is different. Everything is different.
π Example 2: The £15 Plate of Eba
Chiamaka from Enugu lives in London now. She works as a nurse. One Saturday, after a long week, she was craving egusi soup and eba. Just wanted to feel like home small.
She found a Nigerian restaurant in Peckham. Ordered eba and egusi. The bill? £15. That's about ₦30,000 for one plate of food wey for Nigeria no go reach ₦2,000.
She paid. Ate the food. Then cried in her car for 20 minutes. Not because of the money. Because of how far she was from home. How something so simple in Lagos had become a luxury in London.
And the weather? Kai. The weather is a different beast entirely.
Musa from Kaduna thought he was prepared for Canadian winter because he had read about it online. He bought a jacket from Jumia before traveling. Nice thick jacket. Warm. Or so he thought.
First day of real winter in Calgary, he stepped outside and nearly passed out from the cold. The jacket wey cost him ₦45,000 in Nigeria? Useless. Completely useless. He said the cold entered his body like it had a personal vendetta against him.He had to go buy proper winter gear — jacket, boots, gloves, scarf, thermal underwear. Cost him over $800 Canadian (about ₦900,000 at current rate). Just to survive outside.
"The first winter broke me emotionally. I remember standing at the bus stop, tears freezing on my face, wondering what I was doing with my life. In Kaduna, the hottest thing I dealt with was harmattan. Now I'm living in a freezer." — Musa, Calgary
But here's something interesting that Zainab from Kano taught me. She moved to Minnesota (one of the coldest states in America) in 2023. Instead of fighting the weather, she decided to embrace it. Bought proper gear. Learned to ski. Started enjoying winter activities.
She said once you stop resisting and start adapting, it becomes easier. Not easy. Easier. There's a difference.For food, most Nigerians abroad eventually learn to cook for themselves. They find African stores (if lucky), order ingredients online, or learn to substitute with what's available locally. It's an adjustment, but it's doable.
According to BBC News Africa, the Nigerian diaspora community has been growing rapidly, with more cultural support networks forming to help new arrivals adjust to life abroad. These communities often organize food events and cultural gatherings that help ease the transition.
π’ When Homesickness Becomes Too Real
I need to talk about this separately because it's bigger than people admit.
Homesickness abroad isn't like the homesickness you felt when you traveled from Lagos to Abuja for work. It's a different beast. It's deeper. More consuming. And it hits you at the weirdest times.
Uche from Owerri told me he broke down crying in a Canadian Walmart because he saw a product that reminded him of a shop near his house in Nigeria. That's how random it can be.
You'll be fine for weeks, then suddenly you hear a Nigerian song on Spotify and you're in tears. Or you see someone's Instagram story of them eating at Chicken Republic and you feel a pain in your chest that has nothing to do with heartburn.
"I remember crying on Christmas Day 2024 because I couldn't be with my family. I was in London, making 10 times what I made in Benin City. But I would have given anything to be in my mother's small living room, eating her rice, watching my siblings argue over the remote control. Money can't buy that feeling." — Gloria, London
The homesickness gets worse during Nigerian holidays and celebrations. Independence Day. Christmas. New Year. Eid. Your mind knows you're abroad, but your heart is still in Nigeria, wondering what your people are doing.
Sadiq from Katsina lives in Manchester now. He told me that during last Ramadan (2025), he cried every single day. Not because of the fasting. Because he was fasting alone in his apartment while his family was together in Katsina.
He said: "Samson, you don't realize how much of our culture is tied to being TOGETHER until you're forced to be alone."π Example 4: The Mother's Voice That Changed Everything
Olamide relocated to Atlanta in June 2024. PhD student. Brilliant guy. Everything was going well academically. But mentally? He was drowning.
One night, at 2am Atlanta time (8am Nigeria time), he called his mother in Ogbomosho. Just to hear her voice. She picked up and said: "Olamide, omo mi, how are you?"
Just those simple words in Yoruba. "Omo mi" (my child). He broke down completely. Cried for 45 minutes straight while his mother just listened, not even asking what was wrong, because she already knew. Sometimes all you need is someone from home to remind you that you're still connected. For guidance on managing the emotional challenges of relocating, our post on making life decisions under pressure might help.
Now, here's what I've learned from talking to people who've successfully managed homesickness:
**It never completely goes away.** That's the truth. Even people who've been abroad for 10+ years still feel it sometimes. But it changes from a constant ache to an occasional pang. From something that paralyzes you to something you can live with.The ones who cope best are those who stay ACTIVELY connected to Nigeria. They don't just passively scroll through Nigerian Twitter or watch Nollywood movies. They participate. They join Nigerian groups abroad. They cook Nigerian food regularly. They teach their foreign friends about Nigeria. They make Nigeria part of their identity abroad instead of trying to forget it.
And they give themselves permission to be sad sometimes. Because pretending you're fine when you're not only makes it worse.
If you're struggling with the emotional weight of major life changes, you might find our article on practical ways Nigerians can manage stress helpful.
π Learning to Adapt Without Losing Yourself
This is the million dollar question: How do you adapt to a new culture without losing who you are?
Because that's the real struggle. Not just surviving abroad, but remaining YOURSELF while you're there.I've seen two extremes play out with Nigerians abroad. Some people completely reject the new culture — they only hang out with Nigerians, only eat Nigerian food, only consume Nigerian media, constantly complain about everything foreign. These people stay miserable for years.
Others go to the opposite extreme — they try so hard to "fit in" that they lose themselves. Start faking accents. Distance themselves from other Nigerians. Pretend they don't like jollof rice anymore. Act like they were never Nigerian. These people also stay miserable, just in a different way.
The sweet spot? Somewhere in the middle.π― The Adaptation Framework That Actually Works
Cultural Integration, Not Assimilation: Learn the new culture. Respect it. Participate in it. But don't erase your Nigerian identity to do so. You can be both. Nigerian AND Canadian. Nigerian AND British. Nigerian AND American. These things aren't mutually exclusive.
Practical Adaptation: Learn how things work in your new country. Public transport systems. Banking. Healthcare. Taxes. Job applications. Don't fight these systems; understand them and work within them.
Emotional Preservation: Protect your emotional connection to Nigeria. This is non-negotiable. Stay in touch with family. Follow Nigerian news. Celebrate Nigerian holidays. Cook Nigerian food. Speak your language at home.
Selective Openness: Be open to new experiences, but don't feel pressured to adopt everything. Try new foods, but it's okay to still prefer pounded yam and egusi. Make foreign friends, but maintain your Nigerian friendships. Watch their movies, but don't stop watching Nollywood.
Osas from Benin City has been in Germany for 6 years. He's probably the most well-adjusted Nigerian I've spoken to. He speaks German fluently. Has German friends. Understands German culture. But when you meet him, he's STILL very much Nigerian. He hasn't lost his accent (even though he could fake one if he wanted). He still talks with his hands. Still uses Nigerian expressions.
He told me: "I realized that the Germans who respect me most are the ones who see me as a proud Nigerian who lives in Germany, not as a Nigerian trying to become German. When I stopped trying to hide who I was and started confidently being myself, everything changed."
That hit me. Because it's true.People respect authenticity. They can smell fake from a mile away. When you're trying too hard to fit in, it shows. And ironically, that makes you fit in LESS, not more.
π Example 5: The Woman Who Brought Jollof to Her Office
Amina from Abuja works at a tech company in Seattle. For her first six months there, she would bring sandwiches for lunch like her American colleagues. Trying to blend in. Trying not to stand out.
One day, she was sick of it. She cooked jollof rice at home and brought it to work in a Tupperware. The aroma filled the break room. Her colleagues gathered around, curious. "What IS that? It smells amazing!"
She explained. Let them taste it. They went crazy for it. Started asking her to bring Nigerian food more often. Started asking about Nigeria. About her culture. About her experiences.
She told me: "The moment I stopped hiding my culture was the moment I started making real connections. People don't want a copy of themselves. They want to know the REAL you." Now she's the office "food ambassador" and has more friends than ever. For more on staying true to yourself while adapting, read our piece on choosing your own path even when it's slower.
Adaptation is a marathon, not a sprint. Give yourself at least one full year before you judge whether you've made the right decision to relocate. The first year is always the hardest. Always.
According to migration research from credible international organizations, most immigrants experience significant culture shock symptoms for 8-12 months before things start feeling normal. Some people take longer. Some shorter. But one year is the average benchmark.
And here's something nobody tells you: you might also experience reverse culture shock when you visit Nigeria. Yes, reverse culture shock is real. After living abroad for a while, coming back to Nigeria can feel... strange. The traffic that you used to handle easily now feels overwhelming. The noise you once tuned out now feels too loud. The way things work (or don't work) frustrates you more than before.
Kehinde from Ile-Ife visits Nigeria once a year from Canada. He said the visits get harder each time because he's caught between two worlds. Not fully Canadian, not fully Nigerian anymore. Just... somewhere in between.
That's the reality of immigration that nobody prepares you for. You change. And that's okay.
π Quick Summary: 5 Stages of Cultural Adaptation
Based on everything I've learned from Nigerians living abroad, most people go through these five distinct stages. Understanding them helps you know that what you're feeling is NORMAL.
Stage 1: The Honeymoon (Weeks 1-4)
Everything is exciting. New. Different. You're taking pictures of everything, including the supermarket. You can't believe you're actually abroad. This is the "I made it!" phase. Enjoy it while it lasts, because...
Stage 2: The Crash (Months 2-4)
Reality hits. Hard. The excitement wears off and you start seeing all the challenges. Everything feels difficult. You miss home desperately. You question your decision to relocate. This is the danger zone where many people give up. Don't. Push through. It gets better.
Stage 3: The Adjustment (Months 5-8)
You start figuring things out. The language makes more sense. You know which bus to take. You've found the African store. You've made one or two friends. Things aren't perfect, but they're manageable. You're learning to survive.
Stage 4: The Acceptance (Months 9-12)
You accept that this is your new reality. You stop fighting it. You still miss Nigeria, but you're building a life abroad too. You can navigate the system. You understand the culture (even if you don't fully agree with it). You're functioning, not just surviving.
Stage 5: The Integration (Year 2+)
You're comfortable in both cultures. You can switch between them. You have routines. Friends. A support system. You know who you are — a Nigerian living abroad, not trying to be someone else. You've found your balance. This is when life abroad starts feeling like actual LIFE, not just existence.
Not everyone moves through these stages at the same pace. Some people skip stages. Some people get stuck in one stage for a long time. There's no right or wrong timeline. Your journey is yours.
π― Key Takeaways: Your Survival Guide
If you're planning to relocate or you're already abroad struggling with culture shock, save these points:
- ✓ Research is good, but experience is different: No amount of YouTube videos or blog posts will fully prepare you for the reality. Accept this. Go in with open eyes but also with grace for yourself when things get hard.
- ✓ The first year will be the hardest: This is a fact. Budget for it emotionally and financially. Don't make major decisions (like coming back to Nigeria) based on how you feel in your first 6 months. Give it at least one full year.
- ✓ Stay connected to Nigeria: Call home regularly. Follow Nigerian news. Join Nigerian communities abroad. Cook Nigerian food. Speak your language. These aren't signs of weakness; they're necessities for mental health.
- ✓ Don't compare your behind-the-scenes to other people's highlight reels: That Nigerian person you see on Instagram looking all happy and settled abroad? They probably cried themselves to sleep last night too. Social media is not reality. Everyone struggles. You're not alone.
- ✓ Build a support system: Friends, therapist, support groups, church, mosque — find YOUR people. Isolation makes everything worse. Connection makes everything better. Learn more about building connections in our article on building trust in relationships.
- ✓ Learn the language and customs: Even if everyone speaks English, learn the local slang, idioms, and cultural norms. It shows respect and makes life easier. But don't lose your Nigerian accent trying to "fit in." Be proud of where you come from.
- ✓ Invest in proper gear for the weather: Don't be like Musa buying Nigerian jacket for Canadian winter. Spend the money. Buy proper winter clothes if you're going to cold countries. Your health is worth more than the cost.
- ✓ Homesickness is normal, not weakness: You're allowed to miss home. You're allowed to cry. You're allowed to feel sad. These emotions don't mean you made the wrong decision. They just mean you're human.
- ✓ Be yourself, confidently: The people worth knowing will appreciate the real you. Don't fake accents. Don't hide your culture. Don't pretend to be someone else. Authenticity attracts authentic connections.
- ✓ It's okay if it doesn't work out: Not everyone is meant to live abroad permanently. If after genuine effort and time, you're still miserable, coming back to Nigeria is not failure. It's self-awareness. Success looks different for different people. For more on making tough life decisions, read our post on life after graduation and career choices.
π 7 Encouraging Words From Me to You
Look, I know this article has been heavy. I know some of these stories might be scaring you if you're planning to relocate. That's not my intention. My intention is to prepare you for reality so you're not blindsided.
But let me leave you with this:
1. You are stronger than you think. Nigerians are some of the most resilient people on earth. If you can survive Nigeria, you can survive anywhere. I mean it.
2. Culture shock is temporary. It feels permanent when you're in it, but it's not. Time really does heal this particular wound.
3. Every single successful Nigerian abroad went through what you're going through. Every. Single. One. And they made it. You will too.
4. It's okay to change your mind. If you go abroad and realize it's not for you, you can come back. Your life is not a one-way street.
5. Your mental health matters more than anyone's expectations. Don't suffer in silence because you're afraid of what people will say. Reach out. Ask for help. Talk to someone.
6. You're not losing your Nigerian identity by adapting. You're expanding it. You can be multiple things at once.
7. This too shall pass. Whether you stay abroad or come back to Nigeria, this difficult season will pass. Keep going. One day at a time. For more encouragement, check out our article on finding motivation within yourself during challenging times.
"Culture shock taught me that home isn't just a place. It's a feeling. And you can create that feeling anywhere if you're intentional about it."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
"The hardest part of living abroad isn't the weather or the food. It's remembering who you are when everything around you is trying to change you."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
"Your journey abroad is yours alone. Don't let anyone — not family, not friends, not society — pressure you into staying where you're unhappy or leaving where you're thriving."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
"Success abroad isn't measured by how quickly you forget Nigeria. It's measured by how well you honor where you came from while building where you're going."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
"The strongest Nigerians abroad aren't the ones who never feel homesick. They're the ones who feel it, acknowledge it, and keep building anyway."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does culture shock usually last?
Culture shock typically lasts between 8 to 14 months for most people, though this varies individually. The intensity usually peaks around months 2-4, then gradually decreases as you adapt. Some people adjust faster in 6 months, while others may take up to 2 years. The key is understanding that it's temporary and normal, not a sign that you made the wrong decision.
Is it normal to regret relocating abroad?
Yes, very normal, especially in the first 6 months. Almost every Nigerian I've spoken to who relocated experienced some form of regret or second-guessing during their adjustment period. This doesn't mean you made the wrong choice—it means you're human and experiencing culture shock. Give yourself at least one full year before making any permanent decisions about staying or returning to Nigeria.
How can I deal with loneliness and isolation abroad?
Start by finding your local Nigerian community through churches, mosques, cultural organizations, or social media groups. Join activity-based groups like sports teams, book clubs, or volunteer organizations where connections form naturally. Stay actively connected to Nigeria through regular video calls with family and friends. Consider therapy or counseling if isolation becomes overwhelming. Remember that building genuine friendships abroad takes 1-2 years, not weeks, so be patient with the process.
Should I try to hide my Nigerian accent to fit in better?
No. Absolutely not. Your Nigerian accent is part of your identity and authenticity. People abroad generally respect confidence and authenticity more than imitation. Those who mock or look down on your accent aren't worth your time or energy. Focus on being clearly understood rather than sounding like someone you're not. Many Nigerians abroad report that their acceptance and integration improved once they stopped trying to change their accent and embraced who they are.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is based on real experiences shared by Nigerians living abroad and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Individual experiences with culture shock and adaptation vary significantly. This content should not be taken as professional psychological, medical, or immigration advice. If you're experiencing severe mental health challenges related to relocation, please consult with a licensed mental health professional.
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π¬ We'd Love to Hear From You!
Have you experienced culture shock living abroad? Are you planning to relocate soon? What are your biggest concerns or questions? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we love hearing from our readers!
Here are some questions to get the conversation started:
- If you're currently living abroad, what was the biggest culture shock you experienced that you NEVER expected?
- For those planning to relocate, what's your biggest fear or concern about adapting to a new country?
- Do you think the benefits of living abroad outweigh the emotional challenges of being away from family and familiar culture?
- What advice would you give to Nigerians who are struggling with homesickness right now?
- Have you ever experienced reverse culture shock when visiting Nigeria after living abroad? What was that like?
Share your thoughts in the comments below—we love hearing from our readers and learning from your experiences!
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