After hanging up some pictures on the wall and finally folding my clothes in a dresser, I am all moved into my new home.

My flight to Ghana was an interesting one. I almost missed my flight because I was too busy exploring Barcelona- one of my favorite cities in the whole wide world. I was also very tired because I did not end up getting home until almost 6am and I woke up at 8am. On my flight I got my coveted window seat and sat next to a little girl and her mother. Very quickly I realized that I was not going to get much rest on this flight because little Anha was filled with questions and she was fascinated by my laptop and my music. The flight mainly consisted of her sitting on my lap, eating pringles, and a lot of David Bowie and James Blake.

Once I arrived in Accra, I went through security (probably the easiest customs I have gone through), was greeted by extreme humidity, and hopped in a van to my new home. When I arrived to the hostel, I was greeted with a big hug from the lovely Auntie Theresa (that is what she wants to be called). It was probably the highlight of my chaotic day and it made me feel welcome. I walked into my room, met my new roommate, and got my first full night of sleep in a while. It is an incredible feeling to finally have my own bed again.

I really did not have any expectations of Ghana. The only thing that I came in with was the idea that I was going to have to be very open to new things. As someone here said during an orientation lecture:

“We are here, you can’t change us because this is our home. You will be the one who has to adjust.”

I have never been in a place that has required me to adjust my habits so much. There are so many cultural and social differences that I have to constantly remind myself of. They aren’t necessarily bad differences- just differences. For example, just about anything that you do has to be done with your right hand. It is rude to do anything with your left hand. Fashion here is also all over the map. There is not really a set thing people wear, but regardless I feel like whatever I wear will make me stand out. People also really value connection and conversation. It seems like everyone here is like a family- everyone knows everyone and sincerely cares about one another. So when you go anywhere, you are expected to acknowledge everyone in the room, ask them about their day, family, health, etc. and then proceed to ask a question. I got reminded of this frequently as I hiked around campus to different departments to register for my classes. It is actually nice that people want to have conversations and are so kind. The Ghanaian people are some of the friendliest people I have ever met and I am stoked to meet some students in my classes. They are so helpful and will do anything to make you happy and comfortable. They also have some interesting greetings and euphemisms for different things that had me laughing like a five year old in the back of the classroom when I was introduced to them.

School starts on Monday, and the campus is pretty cool. It is also not a traditional campus in the sense that it doesn’t look like a campus you would find in the U.S or in Europe. It is massive in size and I am not entirely sure how I am going to get around once classes start. It is like walking in a small town. Not entirely sure what kind of classes I want to take yet, but I am pretty excited for the opportunity to play on some sports teams while here. Security is a huge concern here. As great as most people are, there are also some bad nuts in the bunch. Crime is unfortunately very common and security is not the best. Our balconies and windows are equipped with barbed wire and steel bars, and we are constantly reminded to lock our doors-even if we only step out for a second to use the bathroom. Having travelled alone for so long, I know what it is like to be cautious of your environment, but this is a whole new level for me. I don’t want to be in a situation that compromises my safety.

Orientation week is still in full swing, but slowly and surely our fearless student guides are starting to leave us to fend for ourselves and we are starting to figure out the swing of things- even dodging cars that drive faster when you try and cross the road. I am curious to see how long it will take me to fully adjust and feel at ease in this new environment. The other kids in my program seem to be adjusting at the same rate as well and they seem pretty stoked to be here. As Theresa said, “It takes someone special to choose Ghana for a study abroad.” I am ready to explore and see what Accra has to offer.

 

Until next time,

-L

P.S. I have not gotten a single bug bite yet. It is a miracle. I have had some encounters with spiders though. Not a fan.

P.P.S. If you want to send me love letters, poems, post cards, bug repellent, hot cheetos, or anything else, my address is: