From Cape Town to Barcelona, and the One-Year Detour I Didn't See Coming

Let me take you on a journey. Not the kind that starts at the airport, but the kind that begins with a quiet longing.

Grace, growth, and a little sunshine along the way

Long before Europe was even on my mind, I was living in Cape Town, South Africa. Like many people, I had dreams, bigger opportunities, a new environment, something different. But I didn’t have a clear plan. I just knew that someday, somehow, I wanted more.

Then love showed up. My now-husband, who was in Cape Town on a business trip, crossed paths with me, and our connection grew quickly. We started dreaming together of a future in Europe, of a new life built side by side.

Naturally, we explored our options. The first plan? For me to leave Cape Town to join him in Spain. But we hit a major wall. As a Nigerian passport holder, the Spanish embassy in South Africa wouldn’t process my visa. Zero chance. Not even a maybe.

That’s when we had to shift gears completely. I packed up and returned to Nigeria to begin the entire relocation process from scratch. And what we thought would be a few months turned into almost a full year of paperwork, waiting, praying, and hoping.

If you’re someone who’s considering relocation, or even in the middle of it, this post is for you. Because I’ll tell you the parts that Instagram never shows and agents never explain.

Here’s everything I learned so you don’t have to learn the hard way.

Step 1: Nigerian Passport = Do Your Homework

• Check your country’s embassy rules; every country has different rules for non-citizens. Don't assume.

• Start from your home country; if you hold a Nigerian passport, embassies in other countries may not process your application.

• Visit the embassy website of your destination country, and if you can, go there physically for clarity.

• Ask questions, don’t be shy to email or call. Sometimes, what’s not on the website can save you months of stress.

 Step 2: Visa Application is Not for the Weak

• Make a checklist: birth cert, medical, bank statement, international passport, passport photos, police report.

• Have multiple copies, soft and hard, translated if needed.

• You will queue. You will wait. You will feel tired. Be ready.

• Agents can help if you're short on time. But if you have time, save that money. You’ll need it later.

• You’ll need patience, Google Docs, and a printer that works. No joke.

Step 3: Planning the Move

• Plan your budget: flights, visa fees, translations, and legalisation.

• Don’t just move: research your city. Where will you live? How much is rent? What paperwork do they ask for once you land?

• Connect with Nigerians abroad: many have answers you won’t find online.

• Have a soft landing plan: where will you stay first? Do you know anyone there?

• Don’t pack your whole life: some things you can buy there. Save luggage space for things that feel like home.

Step 4: Emotional Rollercoaster is Real

• Visa delay anxiety is real: I had moments where I almost gave up.

• Isolation hits different, especially when you’re in Nigeria, dreaming of Europe.

• Reassure yourself daily; your story may take time, but it’s still unfolding beautifully.

• Watch travel vlogs, write in a journal, and create a relocation folder. It keeps your focus clear.

• Remind yourself why you started, especially when things feel slow or frustrating.

 Life in Barcelona: Worth It, But Still Work

Now that I’m here in Spain, real life begins. Paperwork continues. Integration is still in motion. But I no longer feel like I’m guessing my way through.;

And there’s something beautiful about walking through a new city knowing you didn’t just arrive, you earned it.

I’ve also learned that culture shock isn’t a one-time thing; it shows up when you least expect it. From food tastes to language barriers to how people raise their kids, everything can feel new. And that’s okay.

I’ve come to embrace being the “new girl.” The one who still Googles everything, mixes Spanish with English, and smiles through awkward moments at the supermarket.

Things No One Tells You (But I Will)

• Your visa journey will test your patience. And your data subscription.

• You don’t need to rush to “arrive.” Ease into life.

• Recreate a little piece of Nigeria wherever you are: food, clothes, music.

• Be your own advocate; you’ll meet systems that don’t work for you. Push anyway.

• It’s okay to feel lonely, but stay connected; even a WhatsApp call with your cousin helps.

Small Wins I Celebrate

• Cooking egusi in my Barcelona kitchen (shoutout to Menjar del Món in Hospitalet for my groceries!)

• Partnering with a wellness brand I love and trust. I now get to tell locals about the products, and they’re happy to shop through my link and share their honest, positive reviews.

Want a peek? Here’s my shop, all fresh, all sustainable, and yes, they ship across Europe. 🙌🏾

• Navigating school activities for my child in a language I’m still learning.

• Learning how to find joy in new routines, like walking the quiet Spanish streets.

Final Thoughts (for Anyone Planning to Move)

Relocation isn’t a single act; it’s a process. It’s strategy, setbacks, and small steps. And if you’re in Nigeria now, planning your own big move? Do it prepared, do it informed, and do it with faith.

You’re not just moving. You’re rewriting your story.

And I’m cheering for you.

Drop a comment, ask your questions. This blog is a safe space to learn and grow.