Have all those Year of Return videos in Ghana been making you jealous? Don’t be! A move to Africa is more doable than you probably think. That’s because there are several ways which you can live in Africa for a year or more.

Despite the vastness of our planet, the veil between the seven continents is thinner than ever. Today there are tons of opportunities within your reach to live and work on the African continent. With a little planning and preparation, you can make your live in Africa for a year dream a reality. Read on for our tips on how to live in Africa for a year.

But first, why should you live in Africa for a year?

Maybe a better question is: Why wouldn’t you want to live in Africa for a year? Between the economic developments that are happening all over the continent to the booming entertainment and tourism industries, Africa is the place to be. And you can’t forget about the rich culture and community that is unmatchable. Need some more convincing? Did you hear that this year’s Year of Return festivities have brought in $1.9 billion dollars to Ghana this year? The tourism dollars speak for themselves!

How to live in Africa for a year (or more)

So you’ve decided that a move to Africa for at least a year is your next step. Now you just need a game plan for making this dream come true. Here’s what you can do.

1. Join the Peace Corps.

Is living in Africa for one year not epic enough for you? Why not live in African culture for two years then! If you join the Peace Corps, you can live in the African country of your choice for a minimum of two years. As a Peace Corps volunteer, you will be assigned a volunteer placement in business development, health, education or another sector. During your orientation, you’ll also have extensive language lessons to help you with your cultural immersion. By the time your service is done, your two years will have helped you make personal and professional connections that could help you stay in-country even longer.

The perks of joining the Peace Corps don’t end there. When you’re done, you’ll receive more than $10,000 from Peace Corps and sometimes a leg up on US government jobs. #Winning

2. Volunteer with any of the other 128764926 million volunteer work in Africa organisations out there.

There are so many volunteer work in Africa organisations out there. That means a higher chance of you moving to Africa and more opportunities to find a meaningful project to match your interests. There are volunteer work in Africa projects on just about every corner of the continent in everything from youth mentor-ship to wildlife conservation.

Need some help narrowing down your best volunteer work in Africa program options? Some of our favorite volunteer abroad directories are GoAbroad.com and GoOverseas.com. Between their program reviews and categorised lists of organisations, you’ll be sure to find the best program for you. Head over to those sites and they’ll help you wind your list down to your top programs.

3. Get an international fellowship.

What’s a fellowship you ask? Idealist.org defines a fellowship as, “a short-term, competitive, paid opportunity to do something exceptional.” Fellowships are funded opportunities for you to study something that you’re passionate about in another country. That’s right. You can get paid to study what you love! So imagine studying African spirituality in Nigeria or maternal healthcare in South Africa. The fields of study for fellowships are endless.

There are plenty of fellowship opportunities in Africa just waiting to be scooped up! That means you can get paid to spend a year in Africa doing meaningful work. The Fulbright is one of the more well known fellowships in the U.S., but there are thousands available to those who do a little digging. Don’t assume that fellowships are only for graduate and PHD students either. There are actually many opportunities for undergraduates and working professionals as well.

4. Study abroad.

Are you in college or grad school and thinking about how to move to Africa after school? If you study abroad in Africa, you don’t have to wait. Arrange a meeting with your college counselor and they’ll help you choose an African university and start the study abroad in Africa application process. This doesn’t have to be a once-off opportunity. As long as you don’t get too overwhelmed, you can study abroad in two or three different countries while in school. By the time you’re finished, you’ll have lived in Africa for a year or more.

5. Do a gap year.

Did you just graduate from high school or college and are feeling unsure about your next steps? Or maybe you’re an older professional in need of a career break to rejuvenate? Then consider doing a gap year in Africa to help you figure things out.

A gap year is travel that can help you uncover your true passions and get clarity on your future. Through stimulating and meaningful experiences in Africa you can return home with stronger direction on what you want to do with the rest of your life.

You can do a gap year in Africa volunteering or working or simply sightseeing around the continent. So how do you fund gap year in Africa excursions? You could work and save up the travel money, ask local companies if they’d be willing to sponsor you, or even hold a fundraiser with family and friends to raise the cash. Wondering about how to work around immigration requirements while in Africa? Gap in two or three African countries for a few months at a time. When your tourist visa expires hop on to the next spot.

6. Get hired.

If you’re really intent on moving to Africa for a year, then start job hunting. Keep in mind that jobs across the continent can be scarce. So you’ll have to be crafty about your approach. Take a few trips down to the continent first and meet people in your field. Ask them about the job outlook in the country and who's hiring expats. Follow classifieds sections in local newspapers to find out what industries are hiring the most. You could also enlist the help of an organisation like MoveMeBack.com which connects overseas talent with on the ground African professional needs.

It is possible to live in Africa for a year!

Don’t fall victim to the idea that just because Africa is “far” that it’s impossible to live there. There are plenty of other expats who took a leap and are living on the continent right now. Half the battle is about mindset. You’ve now seen that with some research and strategising, you can make a long term move to the Motherland. So decide which route is the most feasible for you. Then start planning your move to Africa. You’ll be manifesting your dream in no time.

#YesYouCan: How to Live in Africa for a Year (or more)