I Think I'm Ghana Like it Here

I loved going abroad, and I am so happy I was able to experience the beauty, adventure, and history to Ghana. I woke up and saw the sunrise all but maybe 10 mornings in the four months I was there. I am NOT a morning person but I embraced the no AC, woke up with the sun and didn't regret it once. I was hot and uncomfortable constantly for the first couple weeks. But change is uncomfortable and growth is uncomfortable. It's much easier said than done, but go out of your comfort zone. Grab a friend and take the tro-tro to the mall your first weekend. You'll never master the tros without practice. And if you are comfortable taking tros, then the adventures are endless! CIEE shows you how to do it the first time and will tell you the route to any destination you want--but it's up to you to go out there and apply it! CIEE is so supportive and will help you with nearly anything you need. It is cheesy, but they become your family. The program staff are your aunties and uncles for your entire time in Ghana. If your U-Pals are amazing as mine, they are also your lifelines. Their support is priceless, especially for knowing the stuff CIEE staff wouldn't (about classes, college life, etc). I would argue that CIEE has the best program out of all the semester programs at the University of Ghana. Compared to other programs, they took us on the best excursions and overnight trips, provided the space for program-wide bonding and the people in charge are the best of the best!

Whatever you do, do not study abroad in Ghana with the intention to change the world or the situation of other people. Go for yourself, your self growth and education (not necessarily academic), and you will get 1000x more out of the experience. Show just as much kindness to Ghanaians as they show you. Going abroad in Ghana changed my perspective of how to travel and see the world--it challenged me to do it in a way that is authentic to the local people. Lastly... wear normal clothes. Unless you wear chocos and cargo shorts at home, you don't need to in Ghana.