The United States Consulate General in Lagos has announced plans to host a comprehensive pre-departure orientation programme for Nigerian students who have successfully obtained valid United States student visas, as part of efforts to prepare them for academic, cultural, and social life in the United States.
The orientation programme, which is expected to bring together prospective students from across Nigeria, has been scheduled to hold on Thursday, December Eighteenth, between Nine O’clock in the morning and Two O’clock in the afternoon. The event will take place at the Consulate General premises located at Number Two, Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to information released through an official announcement shared on Monday via the United States Mission in Nigeria social media platform, the programme is open to all Nigerian holders of United States student visas, regardless of their institution or course of study. Interested participants are required to complete an online registration through a form made available on the official United States Mission page.
Okay News reports that the pre-departure orientation is designed to offer first-hand guidance to students as they prepare for their transition from Nigeria to the United States, particularly at a time when international travel, immigration rules, and student welfare issues remain under intense global scrutiny.
A detailed description accompanying the registration form explained that EducationUSA alumni currently studying in different institutions across the United States will play a central role in the orientation. These alumni are expected to share practical experiences and insights to help new students adjust smoothly to academic and social life abroad.
“The pre-departure orientation will prepare you for life as a student in the United States. EducationUSA alumni studying at various United States institutions will share information on all you need to know before you depart for the United States,” the description stated.
Participants will also receive guidance on how to manage cultural differences, adapt to academic expectations, and maintain personal well-being while studying abroad. The orientation will cover topics such as coping with culture shock, avoiding unhealthy weight gain commonly referred to as the Freshman Fifteen, building positive relationships with professors, forming social connections, and securing on-campus employment opportunities.
Additional areas to be addressed include pathways to becoming a resident adviser, applying for Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training, internships, and accessing additional scholarship opportunities. Students will also be guided on how to achieve academic excellence, qualify for the Dean’s List, enroll in honours programmes, and effectively handle issues such as racism and sexual harassment.
The programme will further provide essential travel-related advice, including what to pack, how and when to renew student visas, and strategies for managing mental health, time, and finances while living in the United States.
This initiative comes against the backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement measures reportedly introduced by the administration of President Donald Trump. Reports indicate that more than Eighty-Five Thousand visas have been revoked since January, with over Eight Thousand student visas affected globally due to security and criminal-related concerns, raising anxiety among international students worldwide.
