Stay Connected with Family and Friends While Abroad

Traveling abroad can be exciting. This is because you will experience new sights, cultures, and foods to try. Yet, nothing beats the joy of staying connected with family and friends back home.

Staying connected is non-negotiable, whether it’s your mum calling to check if you’ve eaten, your friends demanding photos of your adventures, or that one cousin trying to “gist” you about the latest drama.

Here, I will guide you on bridging the distance and keeping your Nigerian connections strong, even when you are thousands of miles away.

How to Stay Connected with Family and Friends

Below are tips you can borrow to stay in touch with everyone:

1. Master the Art of Video Calls: Show Face, Not Just Voice

For Nigerians, a simple phone call rarely cuts it. This is because seeing each other’s faces is what truly counts. Thankfully, technology makes it easier than ever.

• Use Free Apps: WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Meet, and FaceTime are lifesavers. They are free and easy to use, as long as you have Wi-Fi or data.
• Time Zones Matter: Don’t call at 3 a.m. Nigerian time unless it is an emergency. Use apps like Time Zone Converter to coordinate better.
• Show Them Around: During video calls, take them on a virtual tour of your new surroundings – including your apartment, the city streets, or a fancy restaurant.

Pro Tip: Don’t just wait for them to call you. Schedule regular catch-ups, especially with close family members.

2. Share Your Adventures on Social Media

For Nigerians back home, your social media updates are like a travelogue they eagerly follow.

• Photos and Videos: Post snapshots of where you are, what you are eating, and who you’re meeting. Nigerians love visuals!
• Stories Over Posts: Instagram and WhatsApp Stories are perfect for giving quick updates without overloading your feed.
• Engage: Respond to comments, answer questions, and share fun captions. Keep the vibe interactive.

Pro Tip: Avoid overdoing it. Nobody wants to feel like they’re watching a travel documentary on loop.

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3. Set Up Group Chats for Real-Time Gist

What is a Nigerian family or friends group without endless messages? Create or join group chats to keep everyone in the loop.

• Family Updates: Use WhatsApp or Telegram to share quick updates like where you’ve visited or how you are doing.
• Friendship Gists: Have a separate group for your closest friends to dish out the fun details – like how you got lost or tried an exotic dish.
• Limit the Broadcast: Don’t spam the group with 50 photos in one go; send highlights instead.

Pro Tip: Mute notifications when needed – Nigerian group chats can pop off at any time!

4. Send Postcards or Care Packages: Old-School Love

There is something special about receiving something tangible from a loved one abroad.

• Postcards: Send a handwritten note with scenic views from your location. It’s simple, affordable, and heartfelt.
• Souvenirs: If you are visiting multiple places, buy small gifts like keychains, magnets, or T-shirts to bring back home.
• Shipping Goodies: Use courier services to send special items, but confirm customs restrictions beforehand.

Pro Tip: Surprise them. It is always fun to hear, “You didn’t tell me you were sending this!”

5. Join the Nigerian Diaspora Community

Living abroad doesn’t mean leaving Nigerian culture behind. Joining local Nigerian communities can help you feel connected and give you plenty of gists to share back home.

• Cultural Events: Attend Nigerian Independence Day parties or other events to stay in touch with home vibes.
• Social Groups: Look for Nigerian groups on platforms like Facebook or Meetup.
• Church or Mosque: Religious gatherings often double as hubs for the Nigerian community abroad.

Pro Tip: Use these connections to learn about sending money or parcels back home efficiently.

6. Keep the Conversations Flowing: Don’t Be a Stranger

The distance shouldn’t turn you into an occasional caller.

• Regular Check-Ins: Even if it is a quick “How are you?” message, let them know you are thinking of them.
• Share Random Moments: Send funny videos, memes, or quick texts about your day. Nigerians love banter!
• Ask About Home: Keep the conversation balanced. Ask how everyone is doing, and listen to updates about Nigeria.

Pro Tip: Avoid letting time differences become an excuse – schedule a few minutes for regular updates.

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7. Stay Nigerian Wherever You Are

Sometimes, the best way to stay connected is to keep Nigerian traditions alive wherever you are.

• Cook Nigerian Meals: Share your attempts at cooking jollof rice or egusi soup abroad. Bonus points if you can find authentic ingredients!
• Play Nigerian Music: Send them clips of you dancing to Burna Boy, Davido, or Tiwa Savage abroad. It is sure to spark a laugh.
• Celebrate Nigerian Holidays: Let them know you still observe Nigerian holidays, even in another time zone.

Pro Tip: Your family will love seeing how you’re blending Nigerian culture with your new environment.

8. Be Transparent About Challenges

Being abroad isn’t always rosy, and it is okay to share your struggles with those back home.

• Talk Openly: If you are feeling homesick, overwhelmed, or stressed, let your loved ones know.
• Stay Encouraged: Nigerians are pros at offering words of wisdom and encouragement to keep you going.
• Celebrate Wins: From small victories like finding cheap groceries to big milestones like getting a promotion, share your successes too.

Pro Tip: Don’t bottle it up. Talking helps, and your family will appreciate your openness.

9. Use Money Transfer Apps for a Little “Love”

For Nigerians, staying connected sometimes means sending something back home—after all, you’re now “our person abroad.”

• Send Funds: Use apps like WorldRemit, Remitly, or Western Union to send money home quickly.
• Celebrate Special Occasions: Birthdays, weddings, and naming ceremonies don’t stop because you’re away. A little contribution goes a long way.

Pro Tip: Budget for these “requests” before traveling so you are not caught off guard.

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10. Plan Visits and Homecomings

Finally, nothing beats physical connection.

• Plan: Let them know when you will be visiting next and how long you will stay.
• Host Gatherings: Organize a small get-together to share stories and reconnect.
• Bring Stories: Return home with tales of your travels. It is your chance to inspire others.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to call everyone you missed while abroad. Nigerians value those little extra efforts.

To stay connected with family and friends while abroad isn’t just about Wi-Fi or time zones. It also includes showing love, sharing joy, and keeping the ties that matter strong. As a Nigerian traveler, you already know how to sprinkle that special Naija magic wherever you go. So, no matter how far you travel, remember: your people back home are just a call, a text, or a parcel away! Safe travels!