It seems like just yesterday I was preparing for Ghana, not knowing what to expect. Now, I am gathering a list of the last things I want to do before I go...what is happening? I created a support system, people I can turn to here, and then everything is taken away. I have opened my heart and received beautiful love in return.
Looking back on my semester (which is something I never do, I am very future oriented), I have realized how much I have grown and learned from this study abroad experience. Besides choosing to go to Hendrix for college, this has been the best decision of my life. I have learned to deal with pain and sorrow, but also build myself back up and experience more. I have traveled to four different countries, seen 9 of 10 regions in Ghana, and met so many amazing people along the way.
I would like to thank the ISEPers. I have had so many great nights of playing cards and eating dinners. If I did not have that as a part of my daily life...i would have probably gone a bit insane...SERIOUSLY!
I would also like to thank my core travel buddies: Katie, Emma, Avery, and Lisa for giving me the support and inspiration to see what is out there. I managed to travel almost every weekend, when I was not sick and that is a great accomplishment. Thank you Katie and Emma for dealing with me through the thick and thin...it seemed like just yesterday we met at the airport...and now we are preparing to go home (some sooner than others...cough cough Katie is leaving in 3 days). But really, thank you for helping me through the semester. Our "creative" dinners and long tro-tro rides will stick with me for life! I can't wait for our safari one day!
I want to also thank Mawuvio's Outreach Program (MOP) and specifically Kwame and Renee for giving me the confidence to teach. MOP was perfect right before I student teach...I did not have the full confidence before and now I truly do. So many of the kids changed my life...thank you.
Ben, Daniel, and Kulwavi: the three musketeers, these three boys gave me light and life looking into teens. I never thought I could work with teens on an educational level. I was always so scared that they would over shadow my teaching, but they showed me I could...maybe one day I will.
Primary One: this is the class I got to know the best. These are first graders and their undying love showed me how affection and love can exist in the classroom. I will miss each one because they made the classroom environment amazing!
Kg and kg 1: these little kiddos truly showed me that teaching kindergarden can be amazing (I have always been afraid of teaching that age, and now I am not)
Thank you MOP! I will never forget you. These kids and all the adventures will always stick with me...from the field day I ran, to Abrui two times, to every day in the classroom.
Thank you Ghana for showing me how to love and hate you all in one. It is indeed the ying-yang! At times I wanted to punch Ghana for all of my troubles and at times I wanted to cry from happiness. I have learned to embrace my emotions...which is not easy for me...and except that sadness is an important part of my development.
FIELD DAY
This last week I ran a field day at MOP. This field day was initially just an inspiration, but turned out to be a REAL dream come true.
We divided up the boys and girls into 4 different groups and then we had some events:
Short sprint
Long sprint
Long distance run
Long jump
Softball Throw
All of these events the kids took seriously!
I had 7 volunteers come and help with the day. They all enjoyed themselves and understood why I was so passionate about MOP in the end.
What is my plan for the next two weeks?
Well, I have a final tomorrow to study for...and then a 7 day break, which I hope to do a bit of traveling...then I have two more finals...and then I have 4 days to hit everything on my bucket list and I'm off.
I am scared and excited. I don't want to leave all of the friendships I have created, but I can't wait for some American food, family, and fun!
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