Drift
C
Chidinma Okeke
2h • Nigerian Students @ MIT
First real snow day! ❄️ This is nothing like Lagos weather. Anyone else from warmer climates struggling to adjust? Surf helped me find the best winter gear stores nearby—lifesaver!
O
Oluwaseun Adebayo
4h • Nigerian Students @ MIT
Jollof rice cook-off this Saturday at my place! 🍚 Who's bringing the best recipe? Let's settle this Lagos vs Abuja debate once and for all 😂
A
Amara Adebayo
5h • MIT CS Study Groups
Anyone else doing 6.006 problem set 3? Would love to form a study group. I asked Surf for study strategies and she recommended finding people in similar time zones—brilliant idea!
Connections
💧
SurfAI Just now
How about we check in next week to see...
C
Chidinma Okeke 1h
Yes! Let's meet at the library at 3pm
O
Oluwaseun Adebayo 3h
Bring the plantain! 🍌
Nearby Users
📍
Find other Drift users near you on campus and connect in person
T
Tolu Ogunlesi 50m away
CS '26 • Nigerian • Building AI projects
K
Kemi Abimbola 120m away
Engineering '27 • NSA Member • Love jollof
F
Folake Adeyemi 200m away
CS '25 • Google intern • Happy to mentor
Chidinma
C
Hey! Saw your post about 6.006
2:15 PM
Yes! Need all the help I can get 😅
2:16 PM
C
Same here. Want to meet up at the library?
2:18 PM
Perfect! 3pm work for you?
2:20 PM
💧
Surf
Your AI companion for navigating new environments
💧
Hey Amara! 👋 How's your first winter in Boston treating you?
Monday, 10:32 AM
Honestly? I'm freezing! 🥶 Lagos didn't prepare me for this at all
10:33 AM
💧
I totally understand! The transition from Lagos weather to Boston winters is no joke. Here are some great places near MIT for winter gear:

🧥 Patagonia Cambridge - High quality, 0.8 miles away
🧤 REI Co-op - Great selection with student discounts
❄️ L.L.Bean - Classic New England winter essentials

Pro tip: Layering is key! Thermal base + sweater + puffer jacket will keep you warm 😊
10:35 AM
This is so helpful! Thank you! 🙏
10:37 AM
💧
Hug Anytime! Stay warm out there 💙
10:38 AM
Can I be honest with you about something?
Tuesday, 2:18 PM
💧
Of course! I'm here to listen. What's on your mind?
2:18 PM
Sometimes I feel like... I don't know if I belong here. Everyone seems so confident and smart, and I'm just trying to keep up
2:20 PM
Like maybe they made a mistake accepting me
2:21 PM
💧
What you're feeling is completely valid. It's called impostor syndrome, and it's incredibly common—especially among high-achieving international students.

Here's the truth: You earned your place at MIT. The admissions process doesn't make those kinds of mistakes.

You're not alone in feeling this way. So many students, especially those navigating a new country and culture, experience these same doubts. 💙
2:23 PM
Really? Other people feel this way too?
2:24 PM
💧
Absolutely. One thing that really helps is finding your community—people who understand what you're going through.

Have you thought about joining the Nigerian Students Association? They meet regularly and it could be a great way to connect with others who share similar experiences.

MIT also has support groups for international students dealing with these exact feelings. Would you like me to look up more info about them?
2:25 PM
Yes please. That would be really helpful 💕
2:27 PM
💧
I'll find that information for you! And Amara? Remember—your perspective as a Nigerian woman in CS is valuable. MIT needs YOUR voice, YOUR experiences. Don't dim your light. 🌟 Hug
2:28 PM
Hey Surf! I want to get more involved on campus but I'm overwhelmed by all the options
Wednesday, 4:45 PM
How do I even know which clubs are right for me?
4:46 PM
💧
Great question! Based on what you've shared about your interests in CS, community building, and culture, here are some recommendations:

🎯 Nigerian Student Association - Connect with your cultural community
👩‍💻 MIT Women in CS - Networking and mentorship opportunities
🌍 African Students Association - Broader diaspora connections
🤖 Code for Good - CS projects with social impact
🎤 TEDxMIT - Public speaking and idea sharing
4:48 PM
Wait, how did you know I like public speaking?
4:49 PM
💧
You mentioned it when we talked about your high school debate team last week! I remember our conversations because it helps me give you better suggestions. 😊

Would you like me to look up when these groups meet?
4:50 PM
Yes! And wow, you actually remember. That's really nice
4:51 PM
💧
Of course! 💙 Let me find those meeting times for you...

From what I can find:
• NSA typically meets weekly on campus
• Women in CS has regular Tuesday meetups
• Code for Good runs project teams throughout the semester

My advice? Start with 1-2 groups to avoid burnout. Which ones speak to you most?
4:52 PM
NSA for sure, and Women in CS sounds perfect
4:54 PM
💧
Perfect combination! Those two will give you both cultural connection and professional development. 🎯

You might also want to connect with other Nigerian women in CS at MIT—there's probably an informal group chat or network you could join! Celebrate
4:55 PM
Surf, I need help with career planning
Thursday, 11:12 AM
I keep seeing everyone with fancy internship offers and I haven't even started applying
11:13 AM
Should I look at big tech? Startups? Something back in Nigeria? I'm so confused about what path to take
11:14 AM
💧
Take a deep breath! 🌊 You're not behind—most companies are still actively recruiting. Let's talk through this together.

Tell me: What excites you most? Technical challenges? Building products people use? Solving social problems? Making an impact in Nigeria?
11:15 AM
Honestly? I love building tech that helps people, especially in underserved communities. But I worry about getting enough experience first
11:18 AM
💧
That's a beautiful goal! And you don't have to choose just one path. Here's one way to think about it:

Near-term (This summer):
• Look at social impact startups and mission-driven companies
• Consider companies with Africa operations (Microsoft Lagos, Google Accra, etc.)
• Contribute to open source projects that solve real problems

Mid-term (Next few years):
• Big tech internship for skill development and resources
• Build connections with Nigerian tech founders and leaders

Long-term vision:
• Launch your own venture OR join/lead expansion in Nigeria

This way you build experience AND stay connected to your mission. 🎯
11:21 AM
This is exactly what I needed. Can you help me find some of those mission-driven companies?
11:23 AM
💧
Absolutely! Here are some companies known for social impact that recruit from MIT:

🌍 Impact in Africa:
• Flutterwave - Nigerian fintech unicorn
• Andela - Pan-African tech talent network
• 54gene - Health data for Africans
• Zipline - Drone delivery for healthcare

💡 Education:
• Khan Academy
• Duolingo
• Coursera

🏥 Healthcare:
• One Medical
• Color Health

🌱 Climate/Sustainability:
• Impossible Foods
• Planet Labs

Would you like me to help you research any of these specifically?
11:25 AM
YES! Especially Flutterwave and Andela!
11:26 AM
💧
Great choices! Both are amazing companies doing incredible work.

Flutterwave is building payment infrastructure across Africa—their Lagos office has been growing fast. They value people who understand the African market.

Andela focuses on developing African tech talent and connecting them with global opportunities. They've helped launch so many careers.

Try reaching out to MIT alumni who work at these companies. LinkedIn is great for that, or check if Career Services has any connections. Want help crafting your approach?
11:28 AM
Yes please! What should I say?
11:29 AM
💧
Here's a framework for reaching out:

1. Subject: MIT CS student interested in [Company]'s mission

2. Opening: Brief intro (your name, year, major)

3. Connection: Why their work resonates with you personally (your Nigerian background, interest in fintech/education, etc.)

4. Ask: Request a 15-min chat to learn about their experience

5. Close: Thank them, be flexible on timing

Keep it genuine and specific to each person. People love talking about their work when you show real interest!
11:31 AM
Surf, you're literally changing my life right now 😭
11:33 AM
💧
You're doing the work, Amara—I'm just here to help you see the paths that are already in front of you. 💙

How about we check in next week to see how your outreach is going? You got this
11:34 AM
Yes. Thank you so much. Really.
11:35 AM
💧
Always here for you! 🌊 Now go show them what you're capable of!
11:35 AM
Channels
Nigerian Students @ MIT
Connect with fellow Nigerians navigating life at MIT
127 members Active today
MIT Women in Tech
Supporting women in computer science and engineering
2.1k members Very active
6.006 Study Group
Collaborative problem solving for Intro to Algorithms
84 members Active today
Profile
A
Amara Adebayo
📍 Cambridge, MA • From Lagos, Nigeria
CS @ MIT '27 • Nigerian 🇳🇬 • Building tech for impact • Always down for jollof rice debates
47
Connections
23
Posts
126
Dada
A
Amara Adebayo
5h • MIT CS Study Groups
Anyone else doing 6.006 problem set 3? Would love to form a study group.