The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is a rich mix of cultures, welcoming students from across the globe. For international first-year students, this journey is a blend of new adventures as they share their experiences of adapting to campus life.

Audrey’s resilience

During her childhood, Audrey Che Eyen Larissa witnessed people suffering from many different diseases in her community in Cameroon. Unfortunately, her father was one of them and eventually succumbed to liver cancer.

Driven by a desire to combat the toll of diseases in her community, an advanced degree in Pharmaceutics became non-negotiable for her.

"I wrote it down in 2015 to pursue drug discovery," she revealed.

She subsequently applied and was admitted to pursue an MPhil degree in Pharmaceutics at KNUST. As she settled into her new environment, her excitement only grew. Determined to take it all in, she spent her first days moving around campus, asking questions, and discovering every detail for herself."

“I was expecting to see a university that has everything in it, and that is exactly what I met. We don’t have universities like this in my country,” she said.

One of the biggest shifts for her was adapting to KNUST’s problem-based learning system.

“I’m ready to adapt; passion overrules everything. I have mentors in the field who have done the same programme, and they are helping me out. I have also made Ghanaian friends who are showing me around,” she stated.

Glory finds community

For Glory Julien Manana, a first-year BSc. Computer Science student from the Republic of Congo and a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, he was met with the shock of the University’s diversity, something he hadn’t anticipated.

“I did not know how diverse the University is in terms of international students and inclusion. I saw a lot of people from different countries, which made me feel comfortable. Being surrounded by a community of fellow African students made me feel at home,” he said.

Having previously studied in Nigeria as an international student, Glory was familiar with the challenges and rewards of adapting to a new academic environment. Yet, KNUST presented an entirely different experience.

“I miss my parents, family, and friends, but I came here for a purpose. When I focus on that purpose, it reminds me that being far from my family is not in vain.

I was also surprised by the infrastructure. Where I come from, we don’t see universities like this, so well organised,” he said.

Tamaramieye gradually adapts

Tamaramieye Ayamasaowei, a first-year Bsc. Human Biology Nigerian student's decision to study at KNUST was influenced by a recommendation from a family friend who attends the University.

"She said so much about KNUST, about the good lecturers and the quality of academics. She told me that if I graduate from here, I’ll become a great doctor," Tamaramieye explains.

Stepping into a new country and school could have been intimidating, but Tamaramieye’s first experience at KNUST was nothing short of heartwarming.

"When I first got here, I was welcomed at the airport by a team from the school. The first faces I saw were friendly ones," she recalls.

She admits that adapting to the academic structure at KNUST has been a challenge.

"The academics here are a bit different and more difficult than what I faced back home, but I’m learning more and getting used to it," she shares.

To overcome this challenge, Tamaramieye plans to join a study group with her classmates. She believes that collaboration and shared learning will help her overcome the hurdles of adjusting to a new academic system.

Story by Abena Agyeiwaa Brefo (URO) | Photos by Isaac Kwaku Duah (URO)