Finishing Strong

It seems crazy that I have less than three weeks left in Ghana.   Time flew on by so fast.  I can’t really process the fact that I have been here for almost 4 months!  This study abroad experience it hard…because just as you become comfortable with your environment, they pull you out (or you have to pull yourself out).

As I try to motivate myself to keep studying (which is REALLY HARD), I realize, it is almost done.  I am afraid and scared to say good-bye.  These are people I have learned to love and appreciate.  I have adjusted to the culture…I even crave fufu, which I did NOT enjoy in the beginning.

Looking back and understanding whether I met my goals:

Goals for going abroad:

* Embrace everything with enjoyment and really understand why I am there, to learn, not to save the world.

I think I did a fairly good job of doing this.  I tried to embrace every occasion.  When I was sick in the hospital I thought…hey it is a story to tell.  I still have a hard time wanting to save the world though.

* Connect with at least one Ghanaian on a deeper level

I have connected with my roommate on a deeper level.  We have had religious discussions…which is very deep for me!

* Learn how the education system works in Ghana

I have learned how crazy the education system is in Ghana.  It is sad to see kids caned (hit) and getting yelled at…but I also see the beauty and love all around.

* Learn how the political system works in Ghana.

I tried to learn this one…but it is a bit more confusing than I thought. (It is very similar to the USA)

* Learn what stereotypes I have developed about AFRICA and how most of the DO NOT APPLY TO GHANA.

Yes, this is very true.  I thought typical Africa would like up north in Ghana…and it is not all the same!

* Fill my time with people. I am an EXTREME EXTROVERT and people help me discover who I am in the situation and what it means to me.

Yes, I have learned to depend on other people through the thick and thin.  I have cried to various people and learned to support them.

* Learn not to judge situations in Ghana and understand TIA: This is Africa, a completely different world.

This was not easy at first, but no I can comfortably laugh at a situation and understand it is just different here.

* Understand what a third world country and what makes it that way and maybe they are living life better than we are. In Cuba I think their overall well-being, besides being trapped in the country, is happy and a community. Every corner we turned people knew each other and basked in that ideology.

Well…this one I am still working on…it takes years to understand this.

* How does Cuba compare to Ghana?

Similar in livelihood and energy, but different in their approaches to the environment and tourism.

·      What does education mean to Ghanaians?

It is very prized, just like the USA.