It's only been a week!?

Tomb of Kwame Nkrumah

Hey everyone!
It's crazy to think that I have been in Ghana for over a week now, we have done and seen so much and I can't wait to see what else is going to happen on this trip! On Monday we moved into the international student hostel and sat through more orientation at the university. It was great to finally be on campus and start adjusting to life in Ghana. The dorms are pretty nice and right outside is the night market where you can buy anything from spaghetti to towels to fruit. For dinner Monday night we went to the Bush Canteen, which is another little market place where you can get your hair braided or clothes made. I tried fufu with groundnut soup, which was interesting. Fufu is basically a dough made from cassava and you break of little pieces to scoop up the soup with. I decided next time I try it, I'd like a smaller bit of fufu and hotter soup with meat and veggies in it. I also had jollof, which is a red spicy rice.

Jollof

The next day, Tuesday, we had more orientation with the university and we were told about the process of registering for courses. The process is slightly complicated and really disorganized, basically you have to go around to each department and check for which classes are being taught and by who and at what time. Sometimes times or professors aren't listed so you have to go back. Other times nothing is posted and when you talk to the office, they tell you it will be up Monday, which is the first day of classes. This is what I experienced with the geography department. The whole process has been a great way to tour the campus, but it does make you wonder if there is a simpler process. After finding your classes, you then register online. So far, I'm registered for four classes. Two poli sci, one history, and one geography along with the required Twi (language) course and my internship. I did find out that I’ll be interning at WiLDAF which is an organization called Women in Law and Development in Africa. The organization works with women to increase their political and economic justice through advocacy and addressing common issues in society. I’m super excited to start it!! Tuesday and Wednesday we toured the campus and looked for courses. On Wednesday afternoon we got to watch the Ghanaian football game at a local bar! It was great to relax and experience the culture.

Thursday, I spent time updating emails. For all wondering, my wiscmail account is really hard to access here, so I will mostly be using my gmail account. At night, we decided to take advantage of Ghanaian nightlife. So after asking around for recommendations, we decided to go to a local bar called Jerry’s. We enjoyed some prime Don Simon sangria (Ghanaian’s finest) that comes in giant juice boxes before we left and then we successfully found a taxi. Jerry’s turned out to be a great little neighborhood bar, so we got some Star beers, which are huge and sat down to enjoy the night. After sitting for awhile a guy walked up to us and started speaking French. I was super pumped to use my skills and learned that he was from Togo and worked at a restaurant. After awhile though he proved to be like most Ghanaian men and started asking us to go out dancing or something about paying for his immigration. One cultural fact about Ghana is it is very common for men to propose right on the spot to foreign women. I don’t know if they’re actually serious, but we have yet to experience an actual proposal. Needless to say, after this guy from Togo bought us more drinks (which we sent back) and gizzard kabobs (also didn’t eat) we figured it was time to go. Our wonderful cab driver had waited for us the whole time and drove us back to campus.

Friday night was the official welcome dinner at a restaurant called Chez Afrique. It was delicious food and there was a live band, which was fun to dance to. Our whole program got up and danced for awhile after dinner. We then got word of a pool party that was being held by some friends of our Upal (a Ghanaian student that works with CIEE). It was quite the experience to get to the house, but when we finally arrived it turned out to be in a really wealthy Ghanaian neighborhood. Free drinks, a huge house and pool, security at the door. It was all a little bizarre, but a night to remember. Everyone was super nice and welcoming and it was a great way to spend the first Friday night of our program.

Saturday, we decided to conquer the local transportation system of Trotros on our own and go to the beach. It was a little hectic and confusing but we made it there, and it was a great day for the beach. I got to wade into the Atlantic and enjoy the sun. Our way back was a little more difficult and we ended up going the opposite way for some time, but we eventually made it back to campus just as it was starting to downpour. We got drenched running back to our dorm, literally the wettest I’ve ever been, but it was fun and we made it! Saturday night we just chilled in the dorm because the power went out from the storm.

This Sunday we took a tour of Accra, which was really fun and saw the tomb and museum of Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana.

Tomorrow is the first day of classes and I can’t wait to start them.

Miss you all!

Love,

Audrey 

Finally in Ghana: First few days

After over about 18 hours of flying, I’m finally in Ghana!! It’s so far just been orientations and getting acclimated, but I’m really happy to be here and to finally be experiencing everything! My first impressions, was HOT. It’s really really hot and humid here and I expect to be sweating every day. After successfully arriving in the Ghanaian airport, making it through the long line of immigration and finding my bags, I arrived at the hotel where our orientation is being held and after waiting for about 3 or 4 hours for some simple food, I finally got to sleep in a bed! Moral of the story, things in Ghana take a lot longer in the US so patience is key.

The next day, we had orientation and then took taxis to the mall. Interestingly, the mall is really similar to malls in the US. Driving in Ghana is insane and there seem to be no rules for the road. But, we survived. You also have to be prepared to bargain with the driver on the price, because it’s very common  for them to overcharge, especially to foreigners. But, I got a prepaid phone at the mall, and the service is relatively cheap! I also exchanged some money and used the atm. After a nap and some dinner, a group of us stayed out by the pool and drank some local Ghanaian beer (Star beer) and listened to a band. It was great!

Today, we experienced our first public transportation called the trotro. Picture an old passenger van that will drive you anywhere in Ghana and it is usually packed with people. We also toured the campus, which is HUGE! After more orientation, we had a dance workshop which was amazing, and we learned traditional Ghanaian dances. The professor was so cool and really encouraged us to give back to society!

Tomorrow, we move into the dorms and have orientation at the school. So far, everyone on my program is super nice and friendly. Ghanaians are also the most friendly and hospitable people! The food is really good too, lots of rice and fried plantains, which taste a little like sweet potatoes. That’s all for now, because internet is kinda off and on! Miss you all!!

Love, Audrey

Going. Going. Ghana...

It's finally the day! I managed to pack everything into my bags, which was actually pretty easy because I didn't have to pack a lot of jeans, coats, or anything for cold weather. In fact, I've realized how much of a temperature change I'm going to experience because it was snowing and under 20 degrees in MN and in Ghana the average temperature is about 90. I said my goodbyes to everyone and I cant even explain how ready I am for this adventure to begin.
As I'm waiting to board my flight, I'm actually experiencing a rather luxurious trip: there are iPads everywhere for people to use and a high class restaurant and bar, which you can order food on your iPad and have it delivered directly to you. It's really quite something. I am grateful for the free Internet and games, but I can't help but feel like I'm at the complete opposite end of the spectrum as to what ill actually experience in Ghana. I'm really happy everything went smoothly through security and I got here early enough. I'm just waiting to navigate my way through Amsterdam and hope all my luggage turns up with me in Ghana. Can't wait for the rest of this trip to unfold and keep you all posted on my experiences!
Much love,
Audrey

Preparations and Expectations

Hi Everyone!
As many of you know, this spring semester I will be studying abroad in Ghana. I will be attending class at the University of Ghana located in Legon, which is a suburb of the capital city Accra. As the day of  my departure (January 17th) draws closer, reality is setting in and I've been busy gathering my stuff together and trying to figure out how I'm going to pack my life into 2 suitcases. However, even as I'm preparing to leave, I'm still having a difficult time conceptualizing the fact that I'm going to be living in an entirely different country for 5 months. I think I'll finally realize it after I get on the plane or once I arrive in Ghana.

University of Ghana

So far, my preparations have included gathering documents and forms, immunizations, online orientations, and many other activities that will hopefully help make for a smooth transition. While in Ghana, I hope to study international development and global health, which will add to my degree in International Studies. I'm also planning on participating in an internship with a local NGO or non-profit, and I will find out more details about this upon my arrival in Ghana. I will be living, not in a grass hut as some of you may have been thinking, but in the international student dormitories, which are equipped with electricity and internet. Although, shortages and lack of access are more common in Ghana. As I've been preparing, I have learned a lot about the countless opportunities that this university and country has to offer and I am very excited to experience everything.
Before I leave, I thought it would be a good idea to come up with five goals for my time abroad, so here they are:
1. To experience everything the country has to offer.
2. To learn a lot and grow as an individual
3. To be open to the challenges that come with my location and situation
4. To make new friends
5. To take advantage of my time abroad and fully immerse myself in the culture and community
Overall, I can't wait for this experience to begin and see what it holds in store for me. I will be using this blog as a way to record my experiences and update my family and friends on what I'm doing. I will only have a cell phone that makes calls, so I will not be able to text. Please feel free to email, Skype, call, or Facebook me, I'd love to hear from you! Also, once I have my address, I'd love to receive some snail mail! :) Just message me for my address. Now, it is time for last-minute preparations and goodbyes (not looking forward to) and I'll leave you with this link to Anthony Bourdain's episode in Ghana. This is what I watched once I decided I wanted to go to Ghana, and it was one of the many things that I've seen or heard that has increased my excitement for this trip. Please subscribe or check back here often!
Much love,
Audrey