Off and Away

Today is my last full day in the United States. I have my bags packed. I have almost everything ready for the ADVENTURE. I am scared for the jet lag and the culture shock, but I CAN'T WAIT FOR WHAT IT'LL BRING. Stay tuned because by Friday I will be in Accra. Sending my love everywhere and every way.

Farewell!

Less than a WEEK

I will be flying to Ghana in four days! I am so excited, but it still feels like I am not actually GOING TO ACCRA, GHANA! I had a long talk with two of my friends last night trying to visualize and prepare myself for the extreme changes that I will be going through. I will have limited internet access and when I do its very unreliable. I will be taking showers with freezing water and taking a bucket of water and a cup and try to rinse myself. I think I will get frustrated about that at first because I rather just not shower than endure that complicated of a process. I am also fascinated about hand washing my own clothes. As previous students that studied in Ghana told me, I will stop after a month. I am still excited to see what happens with that. I also am worried a bit about malaria. It is scary to think I could get malaria and if I ignore it I COULD DIE! I feel like I will be a bit crazy about that checking up on my self very frequently. One of the things I want to experience SO BADLY is a fully embraced interaction with kids. I want to hang with them, teach them, and for them to teach me. I am ready! I wish I could full prepare myself for this adventure, but I guess that is the beautiful thing about life, you can't prepare yourself. Many people refer to me as a happy go lucky type and I am excited to see how that will be applied to going to Ghana. I am curious how recreating a support system will turn out. I now practically everyone else is on the same boat; they will be wanting to have a support system too. I have also been told that I will have a lot more time than I think I will have. I want to use that time to embrace the culture. I also dream to have a meal in a Ghanaian household, which is apparently few and far between because Ghanaians hold their personal lives close to their hearts.

Goals for going abroad:
* Embrace everything with enjoyment and really understand why I am there, to learn, not to save the world.
* Connect with at least one Ghanaian on a deeper level
* Learn how the education system works in Ghana.
* Learn how the political system works in Ghana.
* Learn what stereotypes I have developed about AFRICA and how most of the DO NOT APPLY TO GHANA.
* 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.
* Learn not to judge situations in Ghana and understand TIA: This is Africa, a completely different world.
* 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.
* How does Cuba compare to Ghana?
* What does education mean to Ghanaians?

I have so many questions. I hope to discover this new world and help me discover myself!

Mailing Address

Just incase you would like to know where to mail any letter to me, which I WOULD LOVE BECAUSE I ADORE LETTERS. They are provided below.

Kelly Rappe; International Student Exchange Program; University of Ghana; Private Mail Bag L4; Legon, Accra; Ghana, WEST AFRICA.

This address should be used for packages and letters only, not for courier mail services (FEDEX, DHL). Courier items need to be sent to the ISEP Office physical address: Kelly Rappe; International Student Exchange Program; Busia Lecture Theater; Annie Jiaggie Road; University of Ghana; Legon, Accra; Ghana, WEST AFRICA.

Shots, Shots, Shots and Packing

I am preparing for Ghana now by getting myself physically ready. I have gotten four shots and who knew that you needed a poli booster to go to Ghana? Crazy! I had a bad reaction to the Yellow fever shot by having a fever, but I seem to have recovered. I have been packing and it seems odd that my material belongings need to fit in a backpack and one to two suitcases for 4 months. I have never considered myself a super materialistic person, but WOW it is challenging. It wouldn't seem as odd if I knew I could get a replacement of practically everything in Ghana, but sadly, I can't. I have four tubes of toothpaste sitting in my suitcase. I won't be able to find replacements in Ghana so I have to stock up now. I've also gotten my malaria pills. There are three types of pills. The CRAZY PILLS, the sun sensitive pills, and the minor side effects pills. The first two type of pill are significantly cheaper than the last one, but fortunately I decided that the CRAZY PILLs were not worth going crazy about. These crazy pill can cause scary dreams, sleep walking, severe depression, and suicide. Preparing for Ghana is so complicated, much more complicated than I thought it was going to be. I have been reading up about Ghanaian culture and the sights to see in Ghana. I am in for a sweet treat. I only got a bit of this while in Cuba, but it seems where ever you go you tend to pride yourself on that place. I will be a walking preacher of Ghanaian culture when I come back. I wondering if that will be a good thing or something that will drive my loved ones crazy? I am also trying to decide how much I am going rely on my support system outside of Ghana. I am always scared that I will get lost in both worlds, not able to find my own identity. Well, many thoughts are going through my head, but I am excited for the adventure ahead of me! yet, a little scared that I do not know ANYONE that is going there.

Beyond the Mysterious Beyond

When I was very little my brother and I used to watch The Land Before Time and there is a song "Beyond the Mysterious Beyond", which I feel is very fitting for my adventure to Accra, Ghana.

I am currently packing, planning, and reading about Ghana (in great detail).
I am not sure what this journey will bring, but I can't wait to see what is Beyond the Mysterious Beyond.

Also, I feel the title of my blog is fitting because it is a whole new world for me to explore.

Before I left Hendrix, from the grueling finals, I asked many Rwanda students what their impressions are of Ghana and any similarities they could prepare me for. I know now that I will have a very plain diet of beans, rice, potatoes, plantains, and bits of other new fruits. I also found out that my left hand should not be used for anything and not saying hi to people when I pass is impolite. I can't wait to test what I know and discover more about the culture and what culture shock is like.

:D
You Tube Video of "Beyond a Mysterious Beyond" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kso7pn67sGg