Profile: Raphael Adu-Gyamfi
What attracted you to the University of Reading?
I needed an university that offers courses in tropical agriculture and I found Reading University the most suitable for the cocoa study I wanted to do. Reading is among the best rated in the UK. I had five colleagues in my place of work in Ghana studying at Reading because of its specialization in tropical agriculture. There were a lot of tropical plant species I had read about but I had the rare opportunity to see it for the first time at Reading.
What have you enjoyed most about living in Reading itself?
A Ghanaian will never feel homesick at Reading. There are many Ghanaians working and studying in Reading. Ghanaian food like banku, cooyam, yam, plantain, fufu and what have you can be obtained in Afro-Carribean shops dotted around the university. Can you imagine what is sold in a Ghanaian shop called Asarfo Market?
What difficulties have you experienced during your time at Reading?
I came to Reading on Getfund scholarship (Ghana government) and there was an occasion that disbursement delayed. The summer term has ended and I had not paid my rent for the term. I needed to stay in the Hall during the summer vacation too. After explaining the problem to an Administrative Assistant at my faculty I was allowed to stay in the Hall till I received my funding.
Have you got any advice for future students?
Never feel nervous that you are going to be lonely here. Apart from the presence of Ghanaian students the halls have internet facilities that will enable you to listen to news and newspaper reviews on FM radios in Ghana. Living here is like being in your room in Ghana. What I admire about University of Reading is how they manage the environment. When I return to Ghana I hope I will replicate the environmental management I have observed here in my place of work, an university.
What are you planning to do when you finish your course?
I was a lecturer in an university in Ghana and needed to upgrade myself in my field of specialization. On completion I am returning to Ghana to make the skills and knowledge I am acquiring here available to my prospective students.
