Getting Back to My American Life

On December 17, 2010 I traveled from Kumasi to Accra then flew to Atlanta, Georgia. Once I arrived in Atlanta and traveled to Flint, Michigan I had been traveling for approximately 30 hours. When I left to go to Ghana boarding the plane was simple as if I was boarding to travel to another state but when I prepared to board my plane to come back to America I had to go through several security checks to finally board my flight home. The flight was great I was able to sleep, watch movies, and meet some interesting individuals to pass the time of the long flight. Everyone was from different places and had interesting things to talk about. As the plane touch down on Atlanta’s runway I called my mom and dad first to tell them I made it back to the US. Then I was able to call my boyfriend that I have not been able to talk to on a phone since August nor Skype in several months due to slow internet connection. It was great to hear the voices of the people I love.

Once I arrived to Atlanta and went through another security check I was able to smile and say I have made it to my homeland. At this moment I was smiling corner to corner. It was great to see McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and all the other stores in the airport. I could talk and people understand everything I was saying no matter how fast I was talking. Time was moving and it was time for me to board my next plane to Detroit, Michigan. Most time my planes from Atlanta to Detroit are small but this plane was of great size because once it left Detroit it was heading to Hong Kong. The diversity on the plane was a site to see. I slept the entire way to Detroit and had an hour layover before boarding my next plane to Flint, Michigan.

My family was eagerly waiting on me to arrive and we were celebrating my arrival over dinner that evening. The flight from Detroit to Flint took roughly 30 minutes and we landed smoothly on the snow covered ground. As I walk through the airport and down the escalator I was able to meet with my mom and sister. It was great to see my family after months apart. Since I was changing weather climates drastically my mom came with my wool coat and boots so I would not freeze in Chuck Taylors and an Aeropostale sweat shirt. It was a great feeling to leave the airport with my bags and see the landmarks of my hometown.

My family and I ate dinner at our favorite restaurant Olive Garden. I was able to enjoy Chicken Alfredo, a virgin strawberry daiquiri, and endless breadsticks. After dinner my mom drove home and it was definitely great to pull in the drive way and open the door to the place that is my home. I think about times growing up and wanting to travel away from home now it just the opposite. It seems like my last week in Ghana I was telling myself “I Just Want to Go Home” and now I am at HOME.

Over the course of the week of being home I have visited family and friends and enjoyed the simple things in life. The first few days consisted of me only going to church and putting my brother on the bus to go to school. By the middle of the week I had made my way to some stores and I enjoyed every moment of shopping for odds and ends. My first movie was to see Yogi Bear with my brother. It was great movie I definitely remember watching the cartoon growing up. I have also been able to open my first Christmas gift and it is phenomenal. It is something I will always treasurer and remember all the effort that was put in to it for its creation. Cedric Carter, my love, thank you very much for documenting my entire experience in Ghana in a book format.

As I get adjusted to my normal life it has been cold and I have been off schedule. I have not fully adjusted to the 5 hour time difference. It seems like I am up when everyone is sleep and sleepy when everyone is wide awake. Hopefully when school starts I will be adjusted to the time here. My skin seems to be drying out due to the cold weather. Throughout a day, I frequently have to apply moisturizer to hydrate my skin. Transforming from humid to cold weather is not the easiest on a body. I know over a course of time I will be fully adjusted to the weather and time difference.

I would like to thank you for following my blog over the course of the last four months. It has been great to talk to individuals and they expressed how they enjoyed my weekly posts to this blog. Your positive feedback on this blog has definitely kept me motivated to keep writing each and every week. I hope in the future I have another great experience that will be give me the opportunity to document it in a blog. I hope each and everyone you have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Yours Truly,

Shanaya LaChel Johnson

Heading Home

I have finished my final exams for my courses and I am packing my bags to go home. Previously for final exams I have studied but I will say I have worked my hardest this semester and it feels good to be done.  This experience has been phenomenal with something interesting happening almost every day. I have been able to broaden my horizon and learn more about life. As I look into future, I feel that I am capable of living anywhere and accomplishing anything.  I laugh about times when I felt my life in United States was hard and now I know a different way of life.

Throughout the semester, I have been speaking with a former student who studied abroad in Ghana and he described the experience as being “unplugged from the world”, and I totally agree. In a person’s normal surroundings it is very easy to stay busy with work, school, family, and daily tasks of life but when you are not in that setting you’re able to see life from a different view without any interference. From August to December, I have written about my experience on this weekly blog and in a journal to have memories of this trip for years to come. I feel this experience will have a positive effect on the rest of my life and how I perceive things.

Tomorrow I will be saying good bye to my Ghanaian friends and leaving Kumasi and heading to Accra. The bus trip is approximately 5 hours, and then I will fly from Accra to Atlanta. I am actually excited about arriving to Atlanta’s Airport. The first thing I will buy is food. Pizza, French fries, and ice cream will be bought and enjoyed until it is fully consumed. There is nothing like the unhealthy American food. The weather here is humid and hot and in Michigan it is cold with the temperature below freezing. It is funny when I  talking to my mom this week she asked me what coat and boats did I want to have when I arrive at the airport. It is going to be interesting to see how I adjust to my normal life.

Until next week….which will be the last blog!

The Wonders of Studying Abroad

My time in the Motherland is coming to an end. I have exactly one week before I leave to head home to spend the holidays with my family. I would like to take this time as an opportunity to promote my peers to study abroad.

In college there are individuals who motivate you in different ways. My freshmen year in college at orientation there was one gentleman whose motivation has stuck with me thus far in my college career. He explained that if you start college and finish and do not grow as an individual you have wasted your money and time. This quote leads to say make the most of the great opportunities available to you in college. As human beings we grow through experiences. Different experiences in life are also a way to defining yourself and learning in general. I can personally say that personal growth has the opportunity to skyrocket if you seek and obtain a study abroad experience.

 If you have an interest in studying in another country seek your schools office of international affairs. Individuals will be available to express all the great opportunities available in various countries for different amounts of time. For instance you can spend as little as two weeks up to a year studying abroad. As well as studying in another country you can work as an intern, co-op, or even do research. In addition to obtaining information from your schools international office you can search the internet of countries of your interest. Make sure the country you seek to study seems to fit you and is a place you have an interest in living for duration of time. Students who have previously studied abroad can be very helpful when seeking to learn more details about the country you have interest in living. The experience in itself has the opportunity to be life changing with a positive impact in your future.

When you are in a foreign environment and your background is different than the next person a great adventure lies ahead, you have the opportunity to learn about a different cultural of people, different foods, various languages, and a different way of living life. When you only know one way of living that typically leaves you one dimensional but when you obtain an experience that shows you another way of living you can add dimensions to life. Reading and watching documentaries about others countries only can expose you to so much but actually experiencing things personally is phenomenal.  

If I can be any assistance in helping you or someone you know who has an interest in studying abroad I can be contacted at Shanaya.johnson9@gmail.com.

Have a fruitful weekend.

Walking by Faith & not by Sight

Have you ever had a time in your life when you did not know the outcome of your hard work? Or when you are truly walking the narrow path by yourself?  I am definitely at the point in my life. I have been working so hard this semester at KNUST and I just hope and pray my finals exams are able to demonstrate the knowledge I have obtained within my courses.

It seems like every day I am learning something new about myself as I walk in faith. I have learned to stay focus on the most important things in my life which is my spiritual life, academics, and well being. I have notice that is very easy to not be focus rather than stay focus. I have also learned that while going through a stressful time in your life you can be your worst enemy or best friend. Since I truly know what I want the outcome of my future to hold I am discipline on myself to have no regrets in life but sometimes that can is not the best. Sometimes you can criticize yourself more than motivate yourself which leaves you not in the best predicament.  

I have also come to the realization that in life you never know how the cards are going to be dealt. I know I have always wanted life to go smoothly with perfection but life is just the opposite. Or I would like accomplishing goals to not be tough but they are tough. Going after your dreams and living a righteous Christian life is not always the easiest life but the best life. Life narrows down to having the courage to continue striving in life when things are not working accordingly how you would like. Many days I refer to the movie Pursuit of Happiness as a motivation. I also come to the point of having only positive expectations, doing all I can and standing with confidence in God, adapting to change to make the best of every situation, and keeping a smile no matter what.

Everyday seems to hold bizarre situations where it seems my faith is being tested. Things seem to happen just to see what my reaction is going to be when things are not meeting my expectations. I am glad that I see life at a better view and I am learning how to deal with all situations and people from all walks of life. In my life I have been praying for various things and they seem to be falling in place but there has definitely been some tests of faith that have came my way throughout my journey in Ghana.

The next two weeks consist of taking finals exams for my courses. I will definitely be busy until I leave Ghana on December 18^th. I am excited to go home and spend the holiday season with my family. There is no place like home but there are some things you can only learn while being away from home. 

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has enjoyed the holiday with their love ones. Unfortunately, Thanksgiving is not celebrated here in Ghana. Even though it is not celebrated, I took time out my day to thank about all the things I am thankful for. When this week started, I was trying to figure out what my topic would be for this week’s blog. On Tuesday around 7am, I came back from jogging to take a shower to prepare for class at 8am. I got in the shower and I had completely covered myself with soap when the water cut off. I had to get out, put clothes on and take my bucket to the polytank to get water to finish bathing. All I could do was laugh and at that very moment, I knew I would write about all the things I am thankful for in my life on this week’s blog.

As I have spent time in Ghana, I have been able to see many things in my life that I have taken for granted that I do not have currently. Things such as hot water, electricity and water running consistently without interruption, air conditioning, high speed internet, sanitation, and this list can continue. On the other hand, I do have some things I am thankful for since I have been in Ghana. I am thankful for meeting great people that have help me adjust to living here, my mom visiting me for 2 weeks, people such as yourself taking interest in my blog, being in good health, learning about a different cultural and academic system, and overall having a fantastic study abroad experience.

 When I did an overview of the past year there are many things that I am thankful for in my life such as:

·          Being a child of God

·         Having the best MOM in the world

·          A Loving family who always supports me.

·         To have all my grandparents still living and a great grandmother

·         Loving and supportive boyfriend

·         Being an American Citizen

·         Being able to attend college and have scholarships that cover of all my expenses.

·         Having all my needs meet and majority of my wants

·         My health which seems to get better as a get older

·         Obtaining internships with major companies

·         Learning to always enhance my life

·         Not being hindered from mistakes I have made

·         Having the opportunity to see another year

For everyone who is shopping on Black Friday, shop for me too! Enjoy the holiday season with the ones who mean the most to you. As I read my book Purpose Driven Life the most important thing in life is LOVE and the relationships we have with one another. I know sometimes everyone gets so busy with work, school, and the things that must be done to survive in life, but take time to tell the ones who mean the most you to that you Love them.

Looking Forward to What Lies Ahead

Most mornings I wake at 5am with an alarm clock or 6am with the sun. On Saturdays, I am unable to sleep past 7am and I try my best to stay in bed but when the sun rises in Ghana there’s no way of staying asleep. When I first arrived, I was astonished on how early people would wake up in the mornings but now I am saying good morning to them as we pass one another  in the hallway of our Hostel. This week has been an academic week for the most part with finishing my last Mid Semester Exam and starting to prepare for my Final Exams in 3 weeks.

I had two days limited water or electricity this week but it seems not even bother me like it use to. My internet does not always work and the connection typically goes in and out. My list of things that happen to me throughout day can go on and on. I can truly say this experience has made me a more humble individual. Through various experiences, I have learned life is not going to go the way you plan always and make the best of all situations. The weather is changing with it being more humid and less rain. Most days I sweat and I cannot stop sweating. The bugs seem to still get to me when I am eating especially. I am typically the only person that is bothered by the bugs where everyone else is adapted to them.

I sit and think about my return to the US and wonder how I am going to truly feel? I will be going from summer to winter weather, all natural foods to many processed foods, washing clothes by hand to using my mother’s washing machine (YES!), and being by myself to being with family. I am excited and it is one of motivations to study hard for my exams that are coming. I believe I am going to enjoy going to Wal Mart or even McDonald’s. I look at all things I have taken for granted in my life that I see is a privilege. Throughout my college career, I have not stayed home for more than a few weeks at a time which makes it always exciting to go home. I also feel there are some special things I will miss about Ghana over time.

I hope the remaining of the week is fruitful for you.

Purpose

At the beginning of this week, I realized that I had exactly 40 days left in Ghana. After realizing that my time is definitely narrowing down, I had the idea to make my last days in Ghana very meaningful. As I have said before my main goal to accomplish while studying abroad is to obtain academic, social, and spiritual balance. So far it has been going great. My Mid-Semester Exams we went well, I have been having fun socially meeting so many different people, and most importantly, I have become more in tune with God.

Over the past few months, I have been able to obtain this balance but I still felt like something was missing. I had the feeling that my life needed more purpose then just academic and career goals. As I was eating my dinner on Sunday at the Engineering Guest House, I was trying to figure out how I would solve this problem. While sitting at a table with my goals on paper to accomplish, some individuals from my church service walked in to eat dinner as well. I spoke and introduced myself and we talked about our church service. I explained that I was a foreign exchange student and I had 40 days until I return to the United States. Instantly at the moment, one of the gentlemen recommended the book Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. As he recommended, he explain that it is a life changing book and it’s a 40 day process. All I could do was say wow; this is definitely perfect timing to accomplish one last goal.

On Monday, between classes I rush to town by taking 2 taxis to get to the local Christian book store. It was an amazing adventure to eat lunch and be on the go in an hour all for a single book. Once I got the book I had to rush back for classes. Once I was done with classes, I was able to sit down and read the first chapter of this 40 chapter book. I am currently on chapter/day 5 and I am starting to see life in a different perspective. So far this book has made me more passionate and excited about my future and the purpose god has for me. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone seeking purpose to their life.  In the mist of starting this 40 day process, I have started the process with my boyfriend. I enjoy discussing the chapters over the internet in the evenings every day. I am looking forward to the great results of a purposeful and focus life.

On Tuesday, I attend another bible study with a classmate. This bible study took place outside when it was dark in the school local park. We sat on benches under a tree praising god, and reading is word with the light from our cell phones. This was an amazing experience and I will never forget how exciting and unique it was. As I enter the park there were different groups of students having various bible studies with prayer and singing. I wish I could have recorded the scene to show to people because it is definitely something worth seeing.

In the mist of obtaining my spiritual goals, I have been studying consistently for all my classes. With it being the final stretch of the semester it is getting more intense and I am preparing to do my best on my finals.

I hope everyone has a fruitful week!