Many Ghanaian university students dream of travelling to America, Europe, Asia and other parts of the world to continue their education. A lot of students think it is easy living and schooling outside Ghana, but the truth is, it is nowhere near easy. Aiki Show’s interviews with some Ghanaian students abroad has revealed that living and schooling abroad can be academically rewarding, but it can also be quite challenging, even frustrating!
The number of Ghanaian students enrolled in degree programs outside Ghana shot up from 8,964 in 2012 to 12,559 in 2017. America and China are the top two destinations for Ghanaian students seeking to study abroad, but Ghanaian students are schooling in many parts of the world. More than 6,500 Ghanaian students are studying in China, this makes Ghana the country with the highest number of African students studying in China. Ghana is also the third-largest sender of students from Africa to the United States of America.
Why and how the trend of student exodus is growing begs the question. It could be anything from ceasing a travel opportunity to pursuing the adventure higher education abroad brings. There is so much to write about why graduates travel abroad, but this article shall focus on their experiences abroad. It highlights the difficulties students face in settling into a new environment, the unspoken creed of combining school and work, the inevitable cultural shifts and the big dilemma of the final homecoming.
Settling into a new environment
Settling-in is the first hurdle for all international students. According to Jeannette, a Ghanaian student studying for her second master’s degree and PhD at Ohio University, some international students are on scholarship, but she isn't. She admits that life in Ohio has been a little rough for her financially as her family pays her fees of about $25,000. Settling into a different country full of strangers and no familiar face is quite difficult especially if you are an introvert, She said. “Going into a different country means different ways of doing things and that isn’t easy, but once you find your feet, you will settle in nicely.”
With luck on his side, Kwaku (not his real name) on the other hand had colleagues from Ghana who already lived in Australia, this gave him a much different settling-in experience. He had the warmth and familiar faces he could depend on the first few weeks of moving to Western Australia. Besides the challenge of settling in, many students studying abroad are compelled by circumstances to combine school with work.
The unspoken Creed of Combining School and work
There is no such thing as just schooling and living outside Ghana, there is the element of work included no matter your scholarship package. Some international students work two jobs and barely make enough for the month.
Jeannette makes approximately 90 dollars every month working two jobs in Ohio and it is barely enough to pay 650 dollars as rent every single month. She works two jobs to support the high cost of living in the United States of America and to relieve the stress on her family to pay her tuition. To make sure she doesn’t lag with school work, every free time she has is spent at the seven floored library in the university studying and researching. She has no time to waste because she usually gets back home from work late in the night.
For Kwaku, his scholarship package guarantees him a 100% payment of fees, an amount of 1,000 dollars every fortnight and insurance for his stay in Australia. As expected, 1,000 dollars is not enough to suffice living expenses hence, the need to work. Kwaku works with Uber eat to support the 1000 dollars given him every fortnight.
He is studying at the Edith Cowan University because of the lack of funds to continue his education here in Ghana, thus, his scholarship was an opportunity he needed to grab if he wanted to move up the ladder of higher education – and he did. There is no such thing as lectures PhD students at Edith Cowan University. According to Kwaku, PhD students either go to the office, sit by their desks and computers to study or meet their supervisors concerning their thesis. With this extra free time, he works and studies mostly at home but goes to the office as and when it is needed.
The Inevitable Cultural Shift
Like Jeannette mentioned, it is a different country with different ways of doing things hence, the need to adjust. A change of environment, a more independent society, a less concerned society when it comes to community and a much more expensive way of living awaits one in the outside world. As weird as this may sound, it isn't all that gloomy. Better facilities and resources, a much smaller class size, a more improved model of teaching, better internet, and exposure to a different view of the world awaits you in other countries.
Amongst the many challenges like financial adjustments, pseudo racism, expensive rent and largely an expensive style of living, international students struggle with getting used to the new country, knowing its language use its systems and the dos and don’ts of the country. For instance, Jeannette talks about the fact that students in Ohio are not as invested in friendships as Ghanaian students are. This makes settling and socializing quite difficult for international students.
On his part, Kwaku expressed concern about the language and word differences in Australia. “When I mention the words garden eggs and groundnut, you as a Ghanaian will know what I mean but they [Australians] would not. They would expect you to use the words eggplants and peanut respectively.” It was difficult to adjust in the beginning but he is used to the system after living in the country for two years. When eventually international students learn the ropes and complete their studies, they find it difficult to find stable and high paying jobs in their host country.
Finding viable employment in host country
It is important to enjoy the fruit of your labour, it is why one must acquire a job with a good salary after studying and putting in his or her best after spending more than four years in tertiary institutions. According to Kwaku, gaining employment as an international student in Western Australia after education is not easy. However, international students who studied courses in IT, engineering and other sciences courses find it a bit easier.
Jeannette on the other hand describes getting a job after attaining a master’s degree in America as “difficult” because things aren’t as “rosy” outside Ghana as we make it seem.
The big dilemma of final homecoming
The experiences gained, the knowledge attained, the different culture, the new ways of doing things and living coupled with the adventures embarked on may be tempting enough to keep a few international students from coming back home to their families.
Jeannette, for now, believes coming home after her education is best for her because she has a few things to focus on. This, however, is not her final decision, she believes her stance could change due to some circumstances. Kwaku says or the other hand likes to keep his options wide open. He believes in opportunities: “I have a lot of plans but they depend on the opportunities available. I can go anywhere my skill is needed”, he said.
Final word
When asked for advice freshly graduated degree holders and other tertiary students, Jeannette said, “Coming outside Ghana for studies is a good plan. It exposes you to the world however, you need to be willing to be studious, psyche yourself up and most of all be sure of your funding”
Kwaku just like Jeannette believes it is a good plan because it helps one explore. He advises that students focus more on a Master’s degree in research because “that is where the funding is.”
Some perks come with being an international student however, as much as these perks exist, there will be demerits. For students in Ghana who dream of furthering their education outside the country, consider what you stand to benefit and lose, figure out your finances and do what will be best for you keeping in mind the need to be back in Ghana to contribute to the nation’s development in your way with the knowledge you acquired in another country.
Very informative. I now have some clarification as to what happens overseas..