Daniel is a Ghanaian professional teacher who traveled to the United Kingdom to pursue a master’s degree. Like many others, he believed the UK represented greener pastures. However, just two months after arriving, he made the bold decision to return to Ghana—a choice that surprised many but made complete sense to him.
In an interview with DJ Nyami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show, Daniel shared his experience and the reality he encountered abroad. According to him, many people see the UK as a land of opportunity, but once they arrive, they realize that the grass is not greener—just different.
Daniel has been a professional teacher for 16 years and has also been involved in poultry farming for 11 years. Poultry farming is his side hustle, but it provides strong financial security back home in Ghana. Before traveling, his life in Ghana was already stable—he had a job, a business, and a place to live.
When Daniel arrived in the UK, he realized that studying abroad is not as simple as many people assume. Most students who travel to study do not plan to return immediately. For someone with a family, the family reunion process alone can take between three to five years. This reality made him reflect deeply on his priorities.
He explained that even if he earned about £2,000 per month, after rent, taxes, and other deductions, the remaining income did not compare favorably with what he was already making in Ghana through his job and side businesses. After attending lectures for just two to three weeks, Daniel sat back and assessed his situation.
“I already had a professional job waiting for me in Ghana, a place to sleep, and a stable income,” he said. “It made more sense to return.”
Daniel decided to withdraw from the program. He contacted the Ghana High Commission in the UK and was advised that he could formally withdraw and receive a refund of his tuition fees. After spending three weeks in the program, he officially withdrew. His university informed him that the refund process would take about two weeks and that the Home Office would give him three months to exit the country.
Instead of waiting, Daniel bought a ticket and returned to Ghana the following week. He arrived home before the tuition refund came through. When the refund eventually arrived, he used the money wisely—adding it to his savings and buying a car. His teaching job resumed immediately, his poultry business continued, and life stabilized quickly.
Daniel noted that many Ghanaians in the UK wish they could return home but are trapped by the system. Some took loans, accumulated debts, or left Ghana without anything to fall back on, forcing them to remain abroad even when life becomes unbearable.
While in the UK, Daniel also worked briefly in Glasgow, doing jobs he described as “dirty work”—tasks he would never do back home, especially on his own farm. He explained that in the search for greener pastures, many migrants are forced to do difficult and degrading jobs before their status changes.
Daniel received his UK visa in January and had returned to Ghana by February. Although he still had one-and-a-half years on his student visa and an additional three-and-a-half years post-graduation stay, he chose peace and stability over uncertainty.
His wife and four children were in Ghana during this time. He admitted that if they had been with him in the UK, he might have stayed and endured the hardship. But since they were home, returning was the better choice.
Daniel emphasized an important truth: many people in Ghana are better off than some people living abroad, even if it doesn’t look that way on social media.
After returning, he briefly missed London and even considered going back. However, after receiving proper advice, he let go of that desire. Today, he is content in Ghana.
“Poultry farming is my side hustle, but it gives me job security,” he said.
Although Daniel loves the environment and lifestyle in London and dreams of relocating there one day with his entire family, he is clear about one thing: if that is not possible, he is better off in Ghana, where his businesses earn more and his life is stable.
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