As Ghana continues to cement its place as one of West Africa’s top study destinations, thousands of international students—particularly from across the continent—arrive each year to experience its universities, culture and warm social atmosphere.

But what does life in Ghana actually feel like for newcomers?

Drawing from real student experiences, including a recent viral vlog by Cameroonian student Sephy, here are 10 essential things every international student should know before making the move.

1. The Heat Will Welcome You First

Ghana is warm year-round, and for many first-timers, the heat feels intense—especially in southern cities like Accra and Kumasi. A handheld fan isn’t a luxury; it’s survival equipment.

2. Airport Costs: Budget for the 30-Day Visa Fee

If you’re from an African country, you typically don’t need a visa in advance. But most arrivals must pay around USD 150 for the short-stay entry permit. Factor this into your travel budget.

3. Accommodation for First-Years Is Easier on Campus—but Not Cheap

Most universities, including KNUST, place first-year international students in designated hostels such as Brunei or the International Students Hostel. They’re safe and convenient—but among the most expensive housing options in Ghana.

4. You May Struggle With the Ghanaian Accent at First

Ghanaian English has its own rhythm, directness and slangs. Many lecturers also switch between English and Twi during class. Don’t panic—you adjust faster than you think.

5. Learn to Eat Local: It Saves Money—and Time

Food options are abundant and diverse. Waakye, yam, banku, rice meals and street meals are affordable and student-friendly. Cooking is possible, but demanding courses make it tricky to do daily.

6. Transport Is Surprisingly Smooth

Free campus shuttles, taxis, Bolt, Uber and walkable campuses make movement easy. Most universities also have well-marked roads and late-night transport options.

7. Prepare for a Very Active Social Scene

From hall weeks to club nights, hostel parties, concerts and spontaneous games nights, Ghanaian campus culture is vibrant. Managing your social life is a skill—you can be distracted if you’re not disciplined.

8. Exposure Opportunities Are Real and Abundant

Ghanaian universities partner with international institutions for exchange programs, leadership fellowships, cultural events and internships. Many students graduate with strong CVs because they take advantage of these opportunities.

9. Ghana Is More Expensive Than You Might Expect

The cost of living is one of the biggest shocks. Tuition for international students ranges widely, with science programs like pharmacy, medicine and engineering priced among the highest in West Africa. Add accommodation, food, transport and personal expenses—and it adds up quickly.

10. The Experience Is Rich—But You Must Plan Ahead

Ghana offers safety, warmth, personal growth, cultural immersion and strong academic networks. But success depends on preparation: financial planning, mental readiness and realistic expectations.

Bottom Line

Ghana remains one of the most rewarding African countries to study in, combining academic rigor with cultural richness. For many students, the experience proves transformative—but only if they arrive informed and prepared.

When Sephy, a young Cameroonian student, posted a video titled “My Experience as an International Student in Ghana (KNUST) — Was It Really Worth It?” in 2021, she didn’t expect it to resonate so widely.

But her candid, humorous, and sometimes bracingly honest account still holds true today and has since struck a chord with African students considering Ghana as a study destination.

Her verdict? “It was worth it—but expensive. Very expensive.”

Speaking to her growing YouTube audience, Sephy offers a rare, unfiltered look into what life actually feels like for a first-time international student navigating Ghana’s heat, bureaucracy, culture, food, and campus life at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

A Hot Welcome — Literally

Arriving with her father, Sephy’s first cultural shock wasn’t language or food—it was the weather.

“The heat, the heat, the heat is not your friend,” she laughs, waving a fan at the camera.

She describes the airport arrival process: paying a USD 150 short-term entry fee, settling into a hotel, then boarding the VIP bus to Kumasi the next morning. For her, the journey was both exciting and disorienting—an early hint of the independence that studying abroad would demand.

Accommodation: Convenient but Costly

KNUST automatically places first-year international students in university-run hostels—Brunei or the Girls’ Hostel. The convenience is clear, but the price tag isn’t small.

What cost her about $700 a year is now well above $1,000 due to currency shifts. Still, she advises new students to stay on campus in their first year for safety, structure and easy orientation.

Accents, Language—and a Bit of Teasing

One unexpected struggle was understanding—and being understood.

“If you say picture, they hear pictcha,” she jokes.
“Sometimes in class, the lecturer switches to Twi. Everyone laughs. You just adjust and move on.”

Over time, Sephy says she picked up some local expressions—so much so that her family back home sometimes calls her “the Ghanaian”.

Food: Cheap, Plentiful and Necessary

For a student juggling pharmacy classes, group work, labs and presentations, cooking every day isn’t always realistic. Thankfully, food on and around campus is both cheap and varied.

Yam and stew, waakye on demand, KFC or pizza on cheat days, and fresh produce from the campus market. For Sephy, learning to eat local wasn’t just cultural immersion—it was survival.

Transport: Amazingly Easy

Unlike many African campuses, KNUST offers free campus shuttles, with Bolt and Uber readily available. Sephy calls movement on campus “one thing I never had a problem with.”

Social Life: “Top-tier—If You Know How to Balance Yourself”

Here, Sephy lights up.

“Entertainment? It’s mad. Top-notch.”

From hall weeks to all-night parties, celebrity-filled shows, games nights, and hostel “spin the bottle” scenes, campus life is active every single week. But she stresses discipline, especially for students juggling demanding majors.

Exposure and Personal Growth

For Sephy, this was where KNUST delivered far beyond academics. She became a student leader, interned with Alliance Française, travelled for international programs, and built friendships across Africa.

“I grew academically, spiritually, intellectually, character-wise.”

The Hardest Truth: “Money Doesn’t Come Together”

Her bluntest point is the most sobering.

Ghana’s rising cost of living, combined with international student fees, makes KNUST one of the most expensive educational paths in Africa.

Pharmacy, she notes, costs about $5,500–$6,000 a year—excluding accommodation, food, transport and upkeep. Scholarships exist, but they’re limited and highly competitive.

“If you don’t have money, please think twice. This country is expensive.”

So, Was It Worth It?

Despite the financial strain, Sephy says yes—emphatically.

Her years in Ghana shaped her confidence, broadened her worldview, and built her career-ready skills. She recommends KNUST wholeheartedly—so long as prospective students prepare financially and emotionally before coming.

Her final message to anyone planning to study in Ghana?

“Welcome. Learn ahead of time—and come ready.”

Ghana is rolling out the welcome mat for Black Americans and the broader diaspora — and this time, it’s all about real estate.

Blue Rose Ltd, one of Ghana’s most trusted estate developers, is making a major play for U.S.-based investors by launching a new initiative designed to make buying or building a home in Ghana easier than ever.

The company teamed up with JMK Production LLC USA to host the Ghana–US Real Estate Seminar, a high-energy, investment-focused event set for November 22, 2025, at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Maryland.

Billed as “Dream meets reality,” the six-hour seminar promises to demystify the process of homeownership in Ghana — whether you’re interested in a vacation home, a long-term investment, or a future retirement plan on African soil. The event will run both in-person and virtually, making it accessible to diaspora communities nationwide.

“This is your moment,” Blue Rose CEO Eric Ebo Acquah said at a sendoff event in Accra. “Whether you want to diversify your portfolio or secure your dream getaway home, we’re creating a space where investors and dreamers unite.”

A Booming African Market — And A Diaspora Opening

Ghana’s real estate sector is one of the fastest-growing in Africa, driven by rapid urbanization, a rising middle class, and strong housing demand. Blue Rose says the returns on property investment in Ghana remain attractive compared to global averages, making the market ripe for international buyers.

For the diaspora community — especially Black Americans looking to deepen cultural and economic ties with the continent — the opportunity is twofold: meaningful reconnection and strong financial upside.

Blue Rose, with 37 years of experience, has delivered more than 2,500 homes and earned a reputation for transparent processes, flexible payment plans, and legal credibility — including a major 2025 legal victory in the high-profile Shelter Afrique case. The company says it’s committed to affordability, environmental consciousness, and smooth home-acquisition procedures.

Why This Seminar Matters

The event will showcase new housing developments, break down the buying and building process, and connect potential investors directly with Ghana-based developers — a major advantage for diaspora communities often deterred by bureaucracy, misinformation, or distance.

“This seminar provides a unique opportunity for people in the U.S. to connect with real players in Ghana’s real estate industry,” Acquah said. “We’re turning dreams into reality with pathways for investors, families, and retirees.”

JMK Production LLC USA has launched what organizers describe as “massive publicity,” with early interest from both Ghanaians in the U.S. and non-Ghanaian Black Americans eager to explore Africa’s property market.