Lukman is a Ghanaian international student currently living in Manitoba, Canada. In an interview on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide with DJ Nyaami, he opened up about the harsh realities of life abroad, particularly in Canada.
Lukman arrived in Canada in 2023 after completing his education at Juaben Senior High School and later at a college in Koforidua. Encouraged by his uncle in Germany to study abroad, he applied to schools in the UK, US, and eventually gained admission to the University of Winnipeg in Canada.
He arrived in the country with just $1,000, and a woman who assisted him took $700 without returning any change. He stayed with her for a while and later became close with the landlady, helping her with paperwork. Together, they began assisting asylum seekers by finding them places to stay while they waited for government support. On weekends, they would even take them to farms to get free food. However, he noted that some Eritrean tenants became stubborn and refused to pay rent.
Due to various challenges, Lukman moved out to a new apartment that had a high-tech entry system. One night around 3 a.m., he was startled by loud banging on the door, followed by police evacuating him from the premises. Stranded and unemployed, he later found shelter with an Indian man and worked overnight shifts for just $50. Eventually, he got a job at a casino and moved out.
Currently in his final year of studies, Lukman continues to struggle financially. He shares a room with others and pays CAD 750 in rent. His school fees total CAD 15,000, which he pays in installments with support from his grandmother in the U.S.
As the firstborn on his mother’s side, Lukman feels a heavy sense of responsibility. Despite many advising him to seek asylum for easier access to jobs and support, he refused. He warns others about the reality of working in Canada — while people initially advise newcomers not to work too hard, those same people may later accuse them of laziness. He also expressed frustration with how some Ghanaians abroad sabotage each other, unlike Indians who, he says, are more united.
He shared an experience of living with a Ghanaian roommate who left without notice and tried to bring in a replacement without consent, reinforcing Lukman’s belief that many Ghanaians abroad lack honesty.
Currently, Lukman’s entire salary goes into paying his tuition — this year, he’s expected to pay CAD 18,000.
His final advice:
“Don’t add a woman you barely know to your Canada student visa as a dependent. Life here is tough, and she might leave you when things get hard.”
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