LOS → GDL → LDN: The Next Chapter ✈️
Exactly a year ago today, on the 31st of May 2021, I arrived at the Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport in Guadalajara, Mexico, after travelling for over 40 hours from Lagos, Nigeria. I decided to relocate to Mexico after joining Wizeline remotely in September 2020. And today, 31st of May 2022, I arrived at the London Heathrow Airport to start a new life, again. Let's explore the journey so far.
Living in Mexico for a year was simply incredible. I got the opportunity to immerse myself in a brand new culture, explore the country's deep history, make so many amazing new friends, try lots of delicious food, grow personally and professionally, and of course, learn tons of lessons along the way.
Working in Mexico meant I was in the same time zone as most of my colleagues at work, allowing me to form deeper relationships and connect better with my team.
Some members of the Wizeline Marketing Team in Mexico
The move to Mexico remains one of the boldest decisions I've ever made. I never imagined moving to a non-English speaking country where I had no friends or family. From getting sick in my first week to navigating being 6/7 hours behind my friends and family back home, living in Guadalajara definitely had its challenges. But I also think these challenges forced me to grow in many ways.
Mexico gave me the chance to travel and explore amazing beaches, museums, and historical sites. Between the quaint beaches in La Manzanilla, to the colorful town of Guanajuato, the amazing coast in Los Cabos, the beautiful sunsets in Puerto Vallarta, the incredible history in Mexico City, the spectacular cenotes in Cancun, the breathtaking views from the Faro in Mazatlan, and the awe-inspiring Lake Chapala, Mexico undoubtedly had a lot to offer me. Travelling this awesome country has expanded my horizons in so many ways, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity.
I'm thankful to my friends - old and new, for helping me adjust to my unknown reality and making sure I made the most of my time in Mexico. From my friends who visited me from different parts of the world to those I met here, who were there for me when I was ill or had issues communicating in Spanish, this last year would have been impossible without you.
In December 2021, I visited London after seven years to spend the holidays with my friends and family. The one-year mark for my time in Mexico was fast approaching in May 2022, but I still hadn't decided if I wanted to remain in Mexico or move somewhere else.
After spending time eating Nigerian food, connecting with my family and friends, exploring the captivating London city, and thinking about the best move for my career, I reached a decision. The UK is Europe's leading startup nation and top 3 globally, attracting £14.2bn in venture capital funding in the first half of 2021. The UK is also home to some of the world's most innovative tech startups, demonstrating enormous promise for talent like myself to accelerate our careers.
Once I returned home, I did some research on the best way to relocate to the UK and decided to apply for the UK Global Talent Visa, enabling leaders or potential leaders in various fields to live and work in the UK for up to 5 years with minimal restrictions. For my field: digital technology, I had to first apply for an endorsement from Technation before applying for the visa. Seventeen documents later, I received my endorsement and, subsequently, my Global Talent Visa.
I'm enthusiastic about starting the next chapter of my life and career in London, contributing to the continued growth of the UK tech ecosystem. At the same time, I'm super excited about the world of possibilities relocating opens up. I'm closer to my friends and family in Nigeria, and can continue to travel and explore the world. In the next couple of months, I'll focus on settling in and potentially sharing some more exciting updates on my life and career. Stay tuned!
