Daniel Payne

I wanted to travel, but doing so with a purpose. Combining the opportunity to undertake a physiotherapy placement plus experiencing a completely new culture was too good an opportunity to miss out on. 

Ghana has been a country I’ve wanted to visit for a long time. Every Ghanaian I’ve met in the UK has always been so lovely, positive and funny. This inspired me to book my placement in Takorard. 

The biggest difference between seeing physio practised in Ghana and at home was the lack of focus on pain as a driver for guiding a patient's treatment. The focus was mainly on the problem the patient came in with and not alleviating pain, at least not in the short term. 

There were so many benefits to undertaking a placement overseas. I learned how people have far fewer resources compared to those in the UK or the West in general. And understanding the socioeconomic challenges and the impact this has on the health of the nation was eye-opening. 

Having a family of friends has made the experience. I went overseas on my own, but having to live on my own or in a home share would have been nervewracking and, I have no doubt, challenging. 

Being able to talk and discuss experiences with my housemates was invaluable. Sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly is so important and cathartic when navigating your time spent here. 

Travelling at the weekend with my housemates was great fun. Visiting Kakum National Park and doing the rainforest canopy walk after spending a night in a treehouse was beautiful. 

I deliberated for a long time about whether to embark on this journey, especially as I was coming along, the best decision I ever made.