A US-based Nigerian lady, Miracle Izuchukwu has opened up on how she became a professional pilot in America after leaving Nigeria. She said this while in an interview with BBC Igbo.
According to the young lady when she initially left Nigeria for the US to study she was to study nursing but little did she know that God had other plans for her to become a professional pilot in America.
She stated that her mother had advised her to study nursing as it was the easiest route to become a successful for a woman but to her she had her own dreams of becoming a pilot and flying planes around the world.
In her words: “I never knew I wanted to become a pilot. Everyone was like “No, you can’t do that, women aren’t supposed to fly. “My dad basically told me that if he sees a female pilot flying a plane, he’ll get off that plane.
“I initially came to the United States to pursue nursing as a career because my mum told me that it was a path to follow if I wanted to succeed in the United States. “I didn’t think about becoming a pilot till I met a professional pilot, who basically put the idea into my head to go on a discovery flight. “So I went on a discovery flight and that sealed it for me.“
So when it was time for her to actualize her dreams of becoming a pilot her parents keep the gains this opinion and discourage her in every ways they could. So at the initial point her parents didn’t support her financially to attend flight school.
It cost around 50 million Nigerian Naira ($70,000 to $100,000) to attend flight school. It seened impossible for her to train herself in school. With the Spirit of perseverance she researched ways she could sponsor herself that was when she found out about student loans.
“I will say it took me longer, I started in early 2020, and this is 2022. “The average cost of flight school is $70,000 to $100,000 (over N50m). I didn’t have the means to do it. So every time I get a license, there is this roadblock, I stopped, save up, get some money again, then continue, stopped, just like that. “If I had all the funds available, it would have taken me shorter, say six months. But if you don’t have the funds, it takes longer. I have seen people who it took 10 years.
At the beginning of this whole journey miracle said that her parents discourage her so badly that she was beginning to think that they didn’t have her best interest in heart but as time went on she came to realise that that wasn’t the truth rather they were only concerned about her well-being and safety.
But today, her parents are so proud of her for being such a courageous and brave young lady.
“But right now they are so proud of my achievement. My mum is getting phone calls from everyone in Nigeria. “Right now they are proud, but I feel like I would have really appreciated it if they showed up when I needed them.“
Advising those who want to do something huge or significant, Miracle said: “Perseverance is the word, and that’s the only way I’m here today. Just keep going and everything will pay off.“
We do hope that Miracle’s story inspires you to to not just have big dreams but also back it with up with action and perseverance and never give up until you find yourself where you wish to be.
See Photos
Credit:
Tori, BBC
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