William in Ghana

My story

I went to Ghana for 6 weeks to help out at a football academy. The first time I’d set off alone, without parents or friends. An adventure I had always wanted to do. I had just finished school and then Corona came along, but luckily it was still possible for me to go, so I didn’t need to think about it for long. It was an experience I wouldn’t have wanted to miss and I will never forget it. When I arrived, it really took a lot of getting used to, but looking back I’m so glad I did it and I only have wonderful memories of it. Not just memories, I also made friends for life there. I’m still in touch with some of the boys every day. Not surprising, of course, because for six weeks I lived with two other interns and four Ghanaian boys who were also in the team we coached. The boys in the team were 17/18 years old, plus a few boys of 14, 15 and 16 who were really good at football, which is why they were in the team too. The boys played against other academies in Ghana and the level was good. Several scouts came over from Europe to watch, and some of the boys are making the move to Europe this coming summer. For me it was truly amazing to have been part of this and that I still talk to the boys. Everything in Ghana is different from Holland, you can’t think of anything that’s the same, but that only makes the adventure better. After the six weeks it was time to go, and I was also glad to go home. But I will never forget everything I did there, and I look back on it with a really good feeling!

What advice would you like to give future interns and volunteers?

I want to tell everyone that they really must enjoy it. Wherever you go for your internship, enjoy it while you’re there, because it’s over before you know it.