Benjamin is the Vice President of the Ghanaian Student Union Community in Estonia, also known as the Ghanaians in Estonia Association. Many Ghanaians have moved to Estonia for various reasons—some joined their spouses, others arrived on visit visas, some came to study, and others secured jobs directly. Benjamin himself moved to Estonia for education and has been living there for two years and six months while pursuing his master’s degree.
He completed his undergraduate studies at KNUST in 2018 and then did his national service. During that time, he met the Minister of Food and Agriculture, who was interested in a cocoa plantation project. Initially, Benjamin had no plans of traveling abroad, but circumstances changed. He later took a job at a restaurant, but the pay was unsatisfactory. Realizing that his degree could be a stepping stone to better opportunities, he decided to pursue a master’s degree.
Benjamin first applied to study in the USA but was denied a visa. He then attempted to get a U.S. visa in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire without success. On his third attempt, he traveled to Sierra Leone for the visa interview but was denied again. Stranded, he met a Ghanaian driver familiar with the route and made his way back to Ghana by road, traveling in stages until he finally reached Kumasi and then home.
Understanding that visa approvals depended on the counselor assigned to a case, he remained persistent. While some applicants secured visas, others were denied. A friend who was searching for schools in Europe found one in Estonia and encouraged Benjamin to apply. Initially, he considered the Czech Republic but was required to pay an application fee. Eventually, he opted for Estonia, applying for agribusiness studies. He was also rejected by the Czech Republic school, but since he had applied to Estonia as a backup, he continued with that process.
His friend, who had initially introduced him to the idea, later chose not to proceed and remained in Ghana, but he later regretted not taking the opportunity. Meanwhile, Benjamin secured admission and planned to leave Ghana in 2022. He had applied to multiple programs but eventually developed a keen interest in agribusiness.
Benjamin traveled to Estonia via Abu Dhabi, where he stayed for two weeks before proceeding to Estonia on September 15, 2022. Upon arrival at the airport, he met a Jamaican who assisted him with transportation. The Jamaican even bought him a meal and allowed him to sleep in his car before driving him straight to his university campus.
Upon arrival, Benjamin was allocated a place in the campus dormitory, where he met other Ghanaians. The Nigerian student population was significantly larger, with only two Ghanaians in his class of 12 students, alongside 89 Nigerians and 11 Europeans.
Initially, he searched for a job, but his permit took some time to process. Eventually, he and a Nigerian friend applied for a job together and were successful. They supported each other and shared information about opportunities. At first, they worked in a warehouse, packing vegetables like beets and potatoes. They also participated in a joint program involving students from Lithuania and Slovakia.
One of the main challenges in Estonia is the language barrier, which affects job opportunities. Many Nigerian students who arrived before him were working hard to support their families back home. Over time, Benjamin and his friends transitioned from dishwashing jobs to customer support roles.
During his studies, Benjamin balanced work and academics while completing his thesis in his final semester. The agribusiness sector in Estonia is not as vibrant as in some other countries, so he is exploring other opportunities.
Benjamin currently lives in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, where he believes there are more opportunities. Before relocating, he reached out to Ghanaians living in Estonia for guidance and even visited one person for firsthand insights. There are approximately 100 Ghanaians living in Estonia.
During summer, the Ghanaian community organizes gatherings, playing music and socializing. Benjamin has also traveled to Germany to renew his passport and, with his residency permit, he can travel freely within Europe. He attends church in Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, and Latvia.
The cost of living in Estonia is manageable, but financial stability depends on one’s lifestyle. If married with children, the expenses can be overwhelming. Benjamin currently shares a flat with a Nigerian friend, who recently brought a relative to join him in Estonia.
He acknowledges that Estonia is not a place where one can easily hustle without a structured plan. Those who come without school or job opportunities often struggle because most jobs require knowledge of the local language. His advice to others is that without a proper plan—especially regarding education or work permits—life in Estonia can be very challenging.
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