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Alexand Vaculka, Brno University of Technology,

ročník 3

Faculty

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Field of study

Power Engineering

Field of internship

Engineering, Other

Specialization of Internship

Mechanical Engineering

Internship period (from - to)

2.7.2018 - 24.8.2018

Internship duration (weeks)

Transport (means, price)

Plane, Emirates, 740 €, checked baggage 30 kg

Insurance/Insurance company

Kooperativa

Visa/Work permit (yes/no)

yes

Price of Visa

3000 CZK

City of Internship

Ghana, Kumasi

Internship reference number

GH-2018-043

About the country

Location of the place

Kumasi is located in Ashanti Region, 250 km away from capital Accra which is coastal city

City

Kumasi has over 2 million people, Kumasi lies on flat, in a rain forest region, and is the commercial, industrial and cultural capital of Asanteman. Kumasi is alternatively known as "The Garden City" because of its many beautiful species of flowers and plants. It is also called Oseikrom (Osei Tutu's town). Kumasi is described as Ghana’s second city (after Accra).

Surroundings (possible trips, ...)

As i mentioned in previous Kumasi is cultural, industrial and commercial center of Ashanti region, so there are many possibilities to go on trips in city as monuments or social life. Kumasi is near Lake Bosomtwe, there are also rain forests in surrounding.

Employer

I worked in company named Donyma Steel Complex Ltd. Donyma Steel Complex is a manufacturing company located at Dadiesoaba in Kumasi near the IRS Office. Donyma Steel Complex deals basically with steel product in the construction firm namely Roofing Sheets of all kinds and sizes, Binding Wire, Iron Rods, Nails and also Garage and Warehouse Gates.

Work description

I worked in gate section. It included manufacturing (cutting, welding, bending) sheets and common components. After manufacturing part we loaded up gates to lorry and went out from company site to city. In city we were installing gates to public or private buildings.

Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)

My month salary was 200 GHC. In conversion to EUR it makes around 36 €. This salary is sufficient for local conditions it would be hard but possible in Ghana, however for me it was unreal (because of all trips we went around Ghana) usually i spent around 1000 GHC per month.

Language requirements

English is official language in Ghana so there is not problem with language even poor people understand English. However sometimes i couldn't understand well because of their accent. Language requirements for my internship was on level "good" so i guess it is B1.

Accommodation (price, who provided it)

Accommodation was provided by IAESTE of Ghana. It was great because accommodation was free. We lived in hostel all together per four people in one room. Sometimes there was problem with water, water didn't work and if did there was only cold water. Every room had own bathroom, toilet and fan. There were also mosquito nets. In two rooms were TVs.

Social life

Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)

Meeting with other people was great. People from IAESTE had picked up me in airport after I arrived. Then we had trip almost every weekend every time there was something to do so no tediousness. Events organisation was good but sometimes quite expensive. We also participated on International IAESTE Meeting in Kumasi where i met one person from IAESTE of Czech Republic.

Meeting other foreign students

We lived all in one hostel for whole time so we were like family. I have made a lot friends that i am still in contact.

Sport and culture

Time to time we played ping pong or football in hostel. In Kumasi we went to pool site and had pool party. We were also swimming on trips in waterfall or ocean so there were a lot of swimming in Ghana. I played beach football with local guys, they are football country and playing football everywhere. On trip to north board with Burkina Faso we visited a cultural village where kind lady introduced us to Ghanian culture with possibility to buy some souvenirs.

Food, local specialties

I was surprised that food in Ghana was quite good. They eat lot of rice and chicken this is same as in Europe but they have some specialties as Fufu, beans with fried plantains. Fufu is made by mixing and pounding separate equal portions of cassava and green plantain flour thoroughly with water. It's eaten by hand. In Ghana they usually don't use fork and knife only spoon. Knife and fork you only get in restaurant. You can buy fresh fruit on streets. For me mango was best.

Other information

Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic

They bought me a SIM card for 10$ everybody used data for internet because there wasn't any wifi.

Recommendations for students who will go to the same place

Be careful of thieves. Usually people in Ghana when they see you are white always think you are rich an try to get money from as much as they can. In overcrowded places are pickpockets, so be careful of your valuables. And if some people will ask for money don't comply them.

What not to forget with you

Mosquito spray, sunscreen, alcohol from your country to degustation, swim suit

Benefits of the internship

I met great people and made friends that i am still in contact. Every evening during work day we were sitting in room and talking between us, joking. By this way you may improve your communication skills. Next you may meet local people that are kind and know new culture of living in country far from home. It's exciting and adventurous.

Cooperation with IAESTE in the foreign country

IAESTE members lived with us in hostel so we were in day contact with them. They were willing to help you in every situation and every time you asked. We had party with them, they participated on every trip.