The Global Gaucho recently published a short article I wrote on my time in Ghana. Check it out below:
I remember thinking to myself, “I will be fine” when
the Ghana returnees emitted their warnings about the lack of running water,
pesky mosquitoes, and the absence of American fast food during the
pre-departure orientation three months before I left on my Education Abroad Program adventure.
However, there is a big difference between hearing about the difficulties of
studying abroad and then experiencing them firsthand. The reality is that
studying abroad in Ghana was challenging and pushed me completely outside of my
comfort zone, but the rewards were well worth the struggle. After hand washing
my laundry and taking bucket showers for ten months, I left Ghana with a new
appreciation for the amenities that I took for granted in my life back in the
United States. The decreased importance of technology allowed me to focus on
face-to-face interactions and as a result, I developed strong personal
connections. Although the slower pace of life in Ghana led to frustration at
times, it also taught me to take a deep breath and live in the moment. Even
though my time in Ghana may not have always gone smoothly, both figuratively
and literally, the bumps I maneuvered abroad shaped me into a stronger, more
confident individual with the tools to live in a culturally diverse world.
- Heidi Graves, EAP Ghana
