My Journey of Migration

Migration is more than just moving from one place to another. It’s about leaving behind everything familiar and stepping into the unknown. It’s a mix of excitement, fear, and hope all at once. For millions of people like me, migration is a deeply personal journey with challenges, opportunities, and the hope of finding a new sense of belonging.

When I moved to Germany from Nigeria, it wasn’t my first time travelling. I’d been fortunate to visit other parts of the world, but this time was different. It wasn’t just a trip or a short stay. This was me starting a new chapter.

At first, it felt like an adventure. I was excited to explore, learn, and build a life in a new country. But soon, I realized that migration isn’t just about packing your bags and learning a new language. It’s about much more. Figuring out where you fit and navigating a new way of life.

The numbers tell one part of the story. The UN reported that over 280 million people lived outside their country of origin in 2020. That’s a huge number of families, students, workers, and refugees, each with their own stories. Migration is often driven by economic opportunities, political instability, or climate change, but behind these statistics are people. Real people like me who leave home, hoping for something better.

When I arrived in Germany, everything felt new and exciting. But soon, reality set in. Learning the language was tough (and still is!), but the hardest part was feeling like I truly belonged. There were times I felt like no matter how hard I tried to integrate, I’d always be seen as an outsider. It wasn’t always what people said, but sometimes what they didn’t say that made me feel out of place.

Then there’s the media. Reading articles about migration often left me disheartened. Immigrants are often portrayed as problems to solve or numbers to count. Rarely do these stories talk about the people… their hopes, dreams, and contributions.

I know from my own research how much power the media has in shaping how people see immigrants. In Germany and other parts of Europe, far-right narratives often frame migration as a threat to national identity or security. But those stories miss the truth. They miss people like me who want to contribute, learn, and be part of the community.

Migration is about so much more than changing addresses. It’s about changing perspectives. It’s about learning to appreciate the differences between us and finding common ground. Yes, there are struggles… moments of doubt, loneliness, and feeling like you don’t belong. But there are also moments of connection, joy, and growth.

This journey isn’t just mine. It’s shared by millions of people around the world. Migration is often talked about as a political issue, but at its heart, it’s about people. It’s about the risks we take, the decisions we make, and the hope that keeps us moving forward.

For me, migration has been about more than finding a new home. It’s about finding myself and realizing that while borders may divide us, our shared humanity connects us all.