VOLUNTEER ABROAD AND MAKE AN IMPACT

I joined the programme with mixed feelings, but my experience quickly became both fulfilling and eye-opening. The team was welcoming, motivated, and clearly proud of the work they do, and I worked really well with the other volunteers, which made the experience productive and enjoyable. I was involved in community outreach, gave presentations, interacted with children at Nkosi’s Haven, and took part in awareness sessions with teenage boys with intellectual disabilities on sensitive topics like child pregnancy, responsibility, consent, and safe behaviour.

I used visual aids, real-life examples, and open discussions to communicate in a respectful and engaging way, and the boys were receptive and asked thoughtful questions. These experiences directly related to my psychology studies and helped me apply developmental psychology and communication strategies in real-world settings. I developed patience, empathy, active listening, and adaptability, and gained confidence working with people from different backgrounds.

Being part of a team committed to making a real difference showed me how even small actions can have a big impact and confirmed my interest in community mental health.

My psychology and mental health placement in Ghana (Senya) was truly the best time of my life. I was able to sit in on multiple counselling sessions and actively participate, including cases involving depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and addiction, which was incredible and so educational. At Ankaful, Nancy and Dr. Ike were amazing, and I also learned a lot during meetings at the rehab centre. Interacting with psychiatric patients helped me gain a real understanding of their lived experience of mental health disorders, which confirmed that clinical psychology is the career path I want to pursue and gave me confidence in my abilities.

Working with the children at Becky’s was life-changing — I built friendships with them, especially through playing football, and they were some of the kindest and happiest children I’ve ever met. The programme was well organised, I felt very safe, and everyone was welcoming. Even with some quieter weeks due to nursing strikes, the experience was surreal, meaningful, and unforgettable.

During my psychology and mental health placement in Ghana, I gained valuable hands-on experience working in hospitals and learning directly from real cases. Based on our experience and where we learned the most, I think focusing more time at Ankaful was especially beneficial, as there was not much to do at Fetteh.

Even so, the opportunity to observe, engage, and understand how mental health care works in a different setting was incredibly meaningful and enhanced both my education and personal interests. Overall, it was a great experience, and I would absolutely encourage others to sign up — if not now, then when? These placements are such a great opportunity to travel the world while enhancing your education; it’s truly the best of both worlds.

I also loved journaling nearly every day and taking so many pictures to document everything I learned. I also think the 10% discount is a great incentive, especially for students who may feel burdened by the price, making this experience more accessible to more people.

Arriving in Ghana was an emotional and eye-opening experience, marked by initial nerves and culture shock that quickly turned into excitement and growth. Once welcomed by the team and settled into the accommodation, it became clear how special the experience would be. Visiting the orphanage was a highlight, with the children greeting us with open arms, love and appreciation, creating an instant sense of belonging and purpose.

The practical experience in hospitals was incredibly valuable. I observed counselling sessions at Kasoa Hospital, participated in counselling and patient engagement at Fetteh Hospital, joined a Narcotics Anonymous meeting at Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, and worked mainly across the rehab, OT and psychology wards. Sitting in on counselling sessions directly related to my studies, while community outreach for Mental Health Awareness Month allowed me to apply my learning in real-world settings.

Beyond clinical work, exploring Ghana and experiencing its strong sense of community was life-changing. This placement deepened my appreciation for different cultures, strengthened my personal growth, and provided meaningful, hands-on experience that I would absolutely recommend to others.