A Nigerian woman living in Canada has urged families to regularly check on relatives who have relocated abroad, saying many immigrants quietly battle loneliness and emotional stress that people back home rarely see.
Sharing her experience in a video, the woman said she was unprepared for how isolated daily life would feel after moving to Canada.
“So this is how abroad is. Nobody really told us or explained to us that this is how it would be,” she said.
Describing one of her recent outings, she said the quiet streets left her questioning whether she would eventually adjust to life in the country.
“It was only Sunday and I was going to church, but I didn’t see anybody on the road. Sometimes I ask myself, ‘Am I really going to cope in this country?’”
The woman said her experience had changed the way she viewed people living overseas and encouraged families to be more intentional about keeping in touch with loved ones abroad.
“If you have brothers or sisters living abroad, try to call them. Know how they’re doing because it’s not easy at all.”
She explained that many migrants keep their struggles to themselves, allowing relatives back home to assume they are living comfortably.
“Nobody knows what we are facing. People think we’re enjoying, but we’re not.”
Ending her message, she appealed for understanding, saying emotional support from family can make a significant difference to people trying to build a life in another country.
“We are not enjoying. We are suffering. Only God will help us.”
