Digital creator and speaker, Eric Gugua, has shared his experience of schooling abroad, saying it made him feel that being born in Nigeria comes with what he described as a generational curse.
Eric Gugua Shares His Experience Abroad
Gugua recalled his experience while studying for his master’s degree abroad, where he had friends from Monaco, Canada, America, Germany and Greece.
He said a professor once mentioned a blockchain conference that would take place in London the following week and told the students he hoped to see them there. 
Gugua said he already knew that he could not attend the conference because of the visa requirements attached to his Nigerian passport.
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‘Everybody in the Hall Does Not Need a Visa’
Gugua explained that while his classmates from other countries could plan to attend the conference without the same visa process, he would have needed to begin his application months earlier.
He said:
“When I was doing my masters abroad. I have friends from Monaco, Canada from America, Germany even Greek. There is a blockchain conference happening in London and the professor is talking to all of us he said I hope you are going to be there. I hope I’ll see you there but I know I’m not going anywhere because the event is happening next week. Everybody in the hall does not need to apply for a visa to be in London next week except me.”
He added that as a Nigerian, he would have to submit his passport months in advance and provide several documents, including documents connected to his place of birth.
Gugua Speaks on Privilege
Gugua said his experience also made him realise that some people may not understand the privilege they have because they do not face the same restrictions. He said:
“If I try to explain this experience to some people they can’t relate. Priviledge is even something we can’t see.”
His comments highlight his frustration with the difference in international travel experiences between Nigerians and people from countries whose citizens can travel to certain destinations with fewer visa restrictions.
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