Say hi to Tiffany Afia. A recent graduate from University of Kent, born in London, and has a big love for travelling.

Rather than then falling into the dilemma of finding a job or further study after university, she decided to start a new life somewhere with familiar-ish surroundings. Thousands of miles away.

https://instagram.com/p/BLO8I59h4yX/

Me: so Tiffany, it’s almost been six months since you did the move to here, in Ghana. What made you decide to do this straight after graduating?

Tiffany: I thought I would never have the opportunity to do so. When you graduate you have an open window to choose your next steps. I wanted to be at one with my culture.
When you’re a second generation immigrant you kind of have your own culture.

I wanted to learn and know more about my culture, and over the past 6 months I have. So so much. I had to re-learn everything, and really humbled myself.

https://instagram.com/p/BJaMeTeBHEc/

Me: did you plan the big move well in advance or was it more impulsive?

Tiffany: oh not at all; I planned this trip well in advance; a year in advance! I like to plan a lot and don’t really do last minute things like that. This was a big thing for me moving though; leaving my immediate family, close friends and familiar surroundings.

Me: when travelling and especially when staying in Ghana, 3 important things certainly spring to mind; accommodation and hosting, travel, and money. How did you sustain yourself for all 3?

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Tiffany: I’ve been living in two places in Ghana, Accra and Dormaa. Dormaa is where the school I work at is, so I’ve spent a majority of my time there. My grandma cooks for me, and so does the school I work for, so I’m always covered for food really.
I’ve got family also in Accra who are very welcoming and know the best places to go to which definitely comes in handy when in the buzzing capital being Accra.
Travel-wise, I love taking the tro tro. Taking taxis and having little money would be a struggle as taxi drivers will look at you and charge what they want, whereas a single tro tro bus fare is the same for everyone and never more than 2 cedis (40 British pence!) in Dormaa I can easily live on 100 cedis a week (£20)

Photo cred and what it’s like on a tro tro in Ghana: https://notoverly.wordpress.com/tag/bus/

I live by myself in my family house.

However, In Dormaa I actually drive my mum’s car! It’s a very quiet and peaceful town so it’s easy getting around.

With money, the biggest security is knowing my parents are always able to sustain me, even though they aren’t with me right now. Huge safety blanket!

Hannah: how was your parents’ reaction to you moving? Were they worried?

Tiffany: not in the slightest! They were ecstatic about the fact that I wanted to work full time at the school that they both run, based in Dormaa. My dad thanks me all the time for the help I’ve been doing in the school because it is not easy at all working so many hours looking after several little children all be time!
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Hannah: what advice would you give to someone planning to do a big move?

 

Tiffany: Be as prepared as you can be, and think about the worst case scenario. Once you think about that nothing will shake you. Make sure you are secure with money, accommodation, travel etc. And make sure you have insurance!

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Tiffany blogs about her thoughts and travels, check them out here:
http://tiffanyafiawrites.com