Kwabena, a Ghanaian based in Massachusetts, has lived in the U.S. for just a year. In an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show, he shared his journey of moving abroad through teaching.
According to him, teaching created the opportunity for him to relocate. “I applied directly to schools in the U.S., went through interviews with some principals, and completed the necessary processes. Thankfully, I was able to move with my wife and children,” he said.
Kwabena had been a teacher in Ghana for seven years before leaving. Although he studied Environmental Science and once worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), he explained that in Ghana it often takes strong connections to secure jobs. Teaching, therefore, became his means of survival. Over time, he discovered his passion for the profession, which later helped him secure a position in a special school in the U.S.
He highlighted the differences between education in Ghana and the U.S., especially in access to technology. “In Ghana, most kids don’t get access to Chromebooks and laptops. But here in America, almost every child uses a Chromebook,” he noted.
Kwabena advised teachers interested in working abroad to apply directly to schools instead of relying solely on agents. “Most people go through agencies on TikTok and other platforms, but I encourage teachers to also try direct hiring. I applied to about 75 schools—three contacted me, and the very first one that reached out eventually hired me,” he revealed.
He also shared his experience with agency fees, explaining that he paid about $2,850–$3,000 for his visa sponsorship documents (PS2019), which are essential for interviews at the U.S. Embassy. However, he emphasized that this amount is not easy for many teachers in Ghana to raise, considering the low salaries.
“In Ghana, I was earning about GH¢5,000 monthly as a teacher, and even with my wife’s nursing salary, it wasn’t enough. Some teachers get bungalows, but nowadays, they are asked to pay for utilities and accommodation, which adds more pressure. The current education system in Ghana also makes it difficult—students are pushed to the next level regardless of performance, so when you offer extra classes, they don’t take it seriously, leaving teachers with little income,” he explained.
Kwabena pointed out the contrast between expectations of life in America and the reality. “From Ghana, America looks different. When you arrive, it’s also different. People are suffering here too, especially undocumented immigrants. But compared to Ghana, when you work and pay your bills, you can still save,” he said.
With the support of family members already in the U.S., Kwabena was able to settle, rent a house, and later pay back loans. He believes that, despite the challenges, opportunities in the U.S. make it easier to recover financially. “In Ghana, taking a GH¢50,000 loan is tough, but here, with genuine documents, you can save that amount with hard work,” he said.
Kwabena has since tried helping other teachers apply through his school. Out of 18 people he assisted, 14 got interviews, but only one successfully moved abroad. He stressed that teachers should be prepared to cover costs such as visa fees, flight tickets, and rent once they secure a job offer, but emphasized that the agency fee should only be paid after getting an offer.
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