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!

Focusing on the Books

                My study abroad experience has been wonderful in so many ways but I have to stay focus on my main purpose of being here which is academic. Sometimes it seems like it’s harder to get in study mode in a different environment. I am learning to focus and study in any type of environment.  I have adjusted to a different academic system. That has not been the easiest but I feel I am managing and my exams will go well. Due to the strike this week is when I will be taking Mid Semester Exams then I will be taking Final Exams in approximately a month. It is definitely official study mode time and focusing on the doing well. This semester I am taking Mechanical Engineering Lab I, Thermodynamics, Strength of Materials, Applied Electricity, and Dynamics. I am aiming for a 4.0 this semester. I know if I can obtain a 4.0 here I can continue to do extremely well at North Carolina A&T.

In the mist of adjusting academically I have been researching ways to be more effective in studying and preparing for exams. Sometimes I catch myself studying but I question how effective am I? I am aiming to get the max out of my study time. I had the feeling that I had freshmen year when I took my first exams of just not knowing what to expect. On Tuesday, I took my first Mid Semester Exam for Strength of Materials and it went very well. The exam took place in the Lecturer Theatre with approximately 125 students. I was given script paper and the actual exam. On the script paper, you are required to give your index number which takes place of your name and that is where space is provided to show work for exams questions. At this university names are not used so all students will be graded equally. The test was approximately an hour. On Thursday at 6am, I took my second exam which was a little intense. After leaving I felt, I needed to study some more for that class in a different way. I am looking forward to the final exam of this class to well. Tomorrow I am taking my last exam of the week for Basic Mechanics. It has been interesting week full of preparing for exams.

On Wednesday, I had an experience of a life time. Some classmates of mine invited me to a mid-week church service. The church service started at 7pm which took place in a residential hall dining room. It was a nice service and I was enjoying it but in the mist of it the lights went out. My first thought was they were going to pray and dismiss service because the electricity was out on campus. Well as the lights went out students obtained candles and placed them on the floor lit and service continued for the remaining time it was scheduled. I was flattered to see how students dealt with the lights going out and continued to praise god in the mist of it all. Once service was over, I headed to my room walking in the pit black.  I was very tired and had a lot of homework but was unable to do it because of the lights going out. With that said I went to sleep for time to pass and hoping for the lights to come back on. I woke up approximately every 3 hours to check to see if the lights were on. Throughout the night they never came on and at 6am when the sun came up it was not bright of enough to see to do homework. With that said I went for my morning run and let more time pass to for the sun to be bright enough to study. When I got back to my room from running the lights were finally on.

I feel that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel towards going home. I have less than 7 weeks and I know the time is going to go fast. I am excited about Christmas, snow, my family, friends, and American food. Great grades lead to a Great Christmas. This is always a goal for me to accomplish every fall semester. It make the holidays that more specials when you can relax knowing you did well in school.

It has been another week of interesting events and I am looking forward to what next week has in store. 

Adventures in Northern Ghana

 Bright and early the journey to Northern Ghana began on October 22, 2010. The bus was full on 10 adults and 5 little ones. Starting at 5:30am we travel to see the Monkeys at Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary in Nkoranza District of Brong-Ahafo. As we arrived a tour guide explained that the sanctuary consisted of 500 Mona and 200 Black and White Monkeys. The sanctuary itself consists of eight communities combined. The communities are Boabeng, Boabeng, Fiema, Akrudwa, Busunya, Konkrompe, Senya, Yefri.The monkeys were fascinating to see up close. It almost reminded me of a movie walking through a forest area and monkeys jumping from tree to tree. They were very aggressive in obtaining bananas. One actually grabbed one from me by jumping about 4 feet. I was shocked and amazed. It was also very interesting to learn that some of the monkeys live to be 50 or 60 years old. On these grounds the moneys are also buried when they die and the land is marked. As a whole these monkeys are treated as human beings by the people in the communities. Once the monkeys took all our bananas we loaded the bus and headed to Tano Boase Sacred Groove.

The Groove was a sight to see and it was a physical work out that was unexpected. The tutor guide explained the great history of the land and the people who use to reside on it. Once the introduction was over we begin to climb the different mountains. On this journey there were infants on their mothers back to the older generation and it was a sight to see everyone climb the mountains. In the mist of climbing all these mountains there were a lot of flies and insects along with the weather being very humid. Once we were done climbing the mountains, it was great to know you had accomplished great tasks and you wanted to know where some water was. We loaded the bus again for our last stop of the day at Kintampo Water Fall.

As we headed to Kintampo Water fall we enjoyed our lunch of Jollof Rice and Chicken. It was sometimes hard to eat with the bumpy road but it made the experience that much more unique. Once we arrived we were able to tour the three different waterfalls. The major waterfall consists of going down 152 steps prior to getting there. The site was beautiful and relaxing. The waterfall is 70 meters long prior to hitting rocks beneath it. I enjoyed taking my socks and shoes off and entering the waterfall and feeling the mist of the water as it fell. The Kintampo Water Fall was definitely a great way to end the trip. Overall everyone was exhausted after climbing 152 steps to get to the bus.

The journey back to Kumasi was relaxing and everyone seemed to have enjoyed there day. I enjoyed this experience adventuring into different parts of Ghana during my study abroad experience. I am looking forward to some more journeys in the future. 

Personal Development

                Week after week, I have the chance to view my personal growth in life. When I first arrived in Ghana I was Shanaya L. Johnson, daughter of Rhonda Allen and Curtis Johnson II, honors college student, but behind the titles who was Shanaya? In my life I have always aimed for perfection in an imperfect world. I have enjoyed accomplishing goals but I never thought it would become my life at one point. I was to the point where everything was about what I had to do for school or work. I took very little time for myself or the simple things in life. As I got settled in my Hostel on KNUST campus, I was truly able to see my life and the changes I wanted to make to enhance it. One thing about Ghana is most things are very calm and relaxed. There is never a rush to do anything; and life is just easy going. This has been the perfect environment for me to obtain academic, social, and spiritual balance.

                Prior to this semester of school, I had limited balance when it came to school. It seems as if I studied more than I needed to and was stressed most of the time. Now I look back at situations and can only laugh. There were times at North Carolina A&T where I thought classes could not get any worse or the world was over when wireless internet was not working for a day.  I look at all those different moments now and say it was not that bad. I guess this goes with the saying you do not miss something until you lose it.

In the mist of balancing my life, I have been able to broaden my arisen my meeting so many different people. It is very fun to meet people from a different part of the world; you can always learn something new and find similarities amongst the differences. When students were able to see that I was a foreign student they instantly want to know my name and where I was from. As much as I enjoy learning about the culture here they enjoy asking me about the American culture. It is also funny that Ghanaians are very knowledgeable about the US as a whole. Sometimes people have discussed different subject matters with me that I was not even knowledgeable about. It shows me that other Nationalities put more time into knowing global news. Most individuals want to know how I like the country and what are some major differences from the U.S.  It seems every day I am meeting different people and I am to the point where I am unable to remember names but I remember faces. As a result, I have learned that amongst different nationalities everyone wants to be happy and have adequate monetary security.

Currently, the teachers are still on strike but we will know if the strike will continue any day now. The students as a whole want the strike to end so they can continue the academic year. If the strike does not end the entire academic year will be deferred and students will have to come back next August to repeat the same courses.  As for me being an international student, I truly do not know what my options would be in regards to if the semester was deferred. I have just been hoping for it to end as it earliest convenience.

This weekend I will be attending an excursion to Northern Ghana to site see some more of this beautiful country. Look for the updates on the excursion next week. 

More Adventures in Ghana

Time is flying with this past Tuesday making 2 months that I have been in Ghana. Currently, lecturers at KNUST have been on strike for over a week to obtain owed funds from Ghana’s Government System.  The students are hoping for classes to start soon as possible so the semester will not be extended. Once classes resume students will be writing Mid-Semester Exams. I am very interested to see my results on Mid Semester Exams since the academic system here is different than North Carolina A&T academic system. I have spent time adjusting to the differences and I am ready to put the pencil to the paper.

As I have approached the midpoint of my study abroad experience, I have definitely gained more strength, courage, and confidence. I have adjusted to a daily schedule that starts at 6am and ends at 12am. When I first arrived I did not know how the students were able to start their days so early and end them early. With time I have adapted to their schedule and I am enjoying every minute of it. It feels great to have accomplished most of daily tasks by dinner time and not just beginning them. I call it getting the most out of day. I hope to apply trait to my academic life at NCA&T.

Over the past week I was able to visit the local lake in Kumasi name Lake Bosomtwe. It was a beautiful view and very relaxing. There are twenty four villages that surround the lake which makes it unique. The tour guide explained that there are two theories on how the lake was created. One theory says a huge meteorite formed the lake. The second theory states it is a crater of an extinct volcano. Both theories are pretty interesting. On the property of the lake fresh tilapia and palm wine is sold by vendors. The fish was very good and the palm wine was an exotic taste. Within in each village there is a resort for guests to stay at. The resorts were very nice and look to be a great place for relaxation.

This past Sunday I attended my first Football Game (Soccer) where Ghana played against Sudan. The ending score of the game was 0-0. The stadium held approximately 45,000 people. I t was definitely a sight to see. The entire time I was there it look like it was going to rain and when the game ended it started t o pore down. In the mist of this happening everyone began to run to places to stay out of the rain. After taking shelter for about 30 minutes my friends and I tried our best to catch a taxi back to campus. As we walked through the rain we were unable to find a taxi. Either there was already 6 people sitting in 4 seats or the taxis were done for the night. It took roughly hour and half to walk back to campus in the rain. Once I got back to my dorm I had mud all the way up my back. My clothes were ringing with water. This is an experience I will never forget.

 Keeping an open mind and positive attitude will get you through anything.

Being an International Student and recognizing the Diversity on Campus

                It is fun being an international student. Typically I am asked what country are you from and how long will you be here? I am unable to count the amount of students I have meet over the course of time I have been here. They also like to ask do you remember my name. I always remember faces but the names do not always stick. I feel like the students know me better than I know them. They remember my name better than I can remember their names even though they do not always pronounce it correctly. Quite frequently students visit me, call me, text me, or send me a message on facebook just to check on me. There has also been a few times when students assumed that I was in some additional classes and they would call me ask if I was okay because I did not show up for class. The students are very observant of their surroundings and the people within them.

 Students have been very interested to know about me and the United States as a whole. Many students have the desire to obtain their Masters or/and PhD at a university in the US. I tend to hear students say they pray that they have the opportunity to go the US in the future. It is many students dream to cross the borders of the US and learn about the American Culture. Growing up I always heard about people from other countries really wanting to come to the US and now I am witnessing it firsthand.

Even though majority of the students at KNUST are Ghanaians there is diversity with students from other African Countries. The second largest population of students is Nigerians with Nigeria being a neighbor geographically. I never imagine that I would be able to distinguish between students based on what African Country they originated from but, most of the time it obvious. Differences typically come from how an individual dresses, speaks, and their ego. Ghanaians are very humble soft spoken individuals for the most part. Nigerians tend to be more outspoken and adventurous. Nigerians students resemble the typical American student more than a Ghanaian student.

When it comes to campus life students tend to primary socialize with people from their home country. Campus housing is even organized where Nigerians have separate residential halls on a particular side of campus. Even though the students attend the same classes and live on the same campus their interactions with one another are limited. As I have become familiar with different students here they are very fast to tell you what country they are from. I am still unsure the exact reasons but many Ghanians and Nigerians do not have positive comments to say about one another. I hope one day that students here will be able to look past their difference and find the similarities amongst their origin diversity.  It has been pleasure to learn about the cultures of all students.

As a result, being an international student I am learning something each day that is sharpening my mind for the future. This study abroad experience is an eye opener to life outside my own culture and country. 

Traveling the Roads of Ghana

This past week has been very interesting and full of fun adventure. My mother and I are two individuals who can find enjoyment anywhere.

Everyday has been unique and full of things to do. My mom has attended each of my classes at least once and met all my instructors. This is definitely another motivation for me to do well since she has exchange emails with all of them. It is very interesting to see her reaction to campus life. One thing that she brought to my attention is the amount of African men who are attending college. In all my classes the amount of women students are no more than 10 in a class size of 125 students. She was glad to see so many African men getting higher education in a great number which is something that is not seen in American colleges. It is an advantage to see things in the perspective of an individual of a different generation. 

Outside of life on campus we have been able to travel the roads of Ghana and broaden our arisen. On Saturday at 3am, we woke up to catch the 4am bus ride to Cape Coast to visit the Cape Coast Castle. The Cape Coast Castle is a museum with information about the history of Ghana and slave trade.  Initially, we thought that we were riding a nice charter bus and came to find out that we were traveling in a compact bus that can accommodate 12 adults. We had to hold are bags in our lap and sit closely for 3 hours to our destination.  Once we arrived to the Cape Coast Castle it was a sight to see and great history to learn. The Atlantic Ocean was beautiful, relaxing to see, and a place to catch great sea food. While being in this city for a short period of time I have never see so much fish, shrimp, and octopus for sell. Even though I was very hesitant, I did try octopus and it was not that bad. While traveling abroad, I made it a goal to try different foods at least once. By trying something you can distinguish what you like and what you do not like for the future. After a day of sightseeing and buying souvenirs we headed back to Kumasi.

Sunday we went to church at the campus Presbyterian Church. Presbyterian is similar to Baptist and the service was good. I have learned that culture of people can change, the appearance of churches can vary, and the conduct of a church service can be different but you’re praising the same god. After church we were invited to Sunday dinner at the home of the Engineering International Director. It was the best dinner; I have had since I have been in Ghana. Everything was hot and fresh and cook to perfection. There was an appetizer, main course, and dessert. I felt like I had just eaten for a holiday back in the United States. It was cool to go to a Ghanaian home and see that they live no different than Americans. We ended the evening my watching an African Reality TV Show called Big Brother.

Throughout the week we had the chance to visit The Ashanti Museum and Bonwire. These outings were great in learning the culture of Ghanians as whole and buying souvenirs for my family.  As we traveled various places we tended to meet so many people. I can truly say that I love Ghanaian people.  Overall are intelligent, hard working, genuine people. I also admire how calm and mild spoken they are. To describe the people here in one word it would be peaceful.

Even though I do not want her to go, my mother is leaving me this week. I will miss her and join her for Christmas in the states. I am back to adventuring Ghana solo.

Spending Quality Time with My Mom

When studying abroad, you learn that it is an experience of a life time. Your able to meet new people, be a guest student of a college, learn a new language, learn a new cultural, and see life in a different perspective. You also learn that there is no place like home with your family and friends.

When I began to plan my study abroad to trip to Ghana, my mom began planning time off work to come visit me. My mom and I both enjoy traveling and see new things in life. We had always talked about traveling to the Motherland and we have finally made it.

My mother arrived the morning of September 19, 2010, which was my 20^th birthday in Accra, Ghana. Once we left the airport we got settled in a Guesthouse which was very nice. When we first arrived they told us we had to get separate room because they could not allow the same sex adults share a room. At that point we had to explain that we were mother and daughter. Then they apologized and moved us into our room. Throughout this day we toured the Makola Market and Labadi Beach.  My mom was taking pictures none stop and enjoying the different cultural. Labadi Beach is a sight I will always remember. It was a cultural shock to go to a beach where everyone looked like me. There was also horse riding up and down the coast. I definitely enjoyed riding which is something I have not done in some time. It was very relaxing and my first time seeing the Atlantic Ocean from this part of the world. After a day full of fun, we went to bed to wake up early to catch the 4am VIP, Charter Bus to Kumasi. The bus ride was 5 hours which we slept through.

Once my mom was settled we were on the move to explore Kumasi. She noticed first there was no KFC, McDonald’s, Burger King, or any of our usual franchise operations here. She enjoyed seeing African people on the currency when she exchanged her money.  My mom is very adventurous; I would have to say I have gain that trait from her.  Everywhere we go it seem like she has these great conversations with Ghanians from the taxi drivers to the waiters at restaurants. She has been very shock to see that Africans have a picture of a white Jesus hanging from their rear view mirror. Every time she sees it she lets the driver know that Jesus is not white and that the bible describes how he looks. It is so funny to see her do this when we get in most taxis. The drivers usually are like really. One driver took out his bible and asked her to show him the scripture that describes how Jesus looks. I was in the back seat wondering where this conversation was going to lead to. Besides the mosquitoes at night she is truly enjoying her time in Ghana.

September 21, 2010 was a national holiday in Ghana. It was Ghana first president’s birthday, Kwame Nkrumah, which meant no class. It was a great day just because I did not have to go to 3 classes for a total of 6 hours. We spend most of the day in town looking for fabric to get dresses made. In Ghana many women wear dresses made from fabric with different designs. These dresses are usually worn to church or for special occasions. It was fun shopping for material. In the past, I thought it was sometimes hard looking for certain clothing items but, try looking for the material of clothing. We ended the day with a dinner of fried rice and fish.

The next day we started the day bright and early. I headed to class and my mom went to get her hair braided. When I was done with classes I meet her at the hair salon. She looked great with her braids. The last time she had braids was when she was 14. This special day of her trip was also her birthday. I would share her age but you would not believe her age even if I told you. Once her braids were complete I was able to share my favorite Ghanaian dish with her; Black Eye Peas & Fried Plantain with Palm Oil. She loved it! Throughout the day, I attended a few classes and she rested. We also had measurements done for our dresses. In the evening we went to dinner at Its my Kitchen which was a great restaurant. We enjoyed the remaining of the evening with some Banana Cake.

The great thing about being in Ghana is that it is relaxing. There is no rushing or counting the minutes in the day. We have been relaxing and taking life minute by minute. I am glad to see my mom relax with her working 2 jobs and always on the move.  I am enjoying every moment with my mom. I was glad to see her come but not looking forward to her leaving. 

Education: KNUST vs. NCAT

I can sincerely say that week 5 in Ghana I feel adjusted. I do have my moments where I miss my family and friends, and life at North Carolina A&T. I keep myself motivated by saying the time will come to go home but, seize the great opportunity of living in another country. My mom will be visiting me this week. She will be arriving on Sunday, September 19^th which is also my birthdayJ. I am eagered to spend 2 whole weeks with my mom in Ghana. This is her first trip to an African country so we going to be adventurous together.

For the time that I have been here many Ghanaians tend to ask me how the education is different from North Carolina A&T and Kwame Nkrumah. I answer this question firstly by saying education is education. The courses they are teaching here are the same courses taught in the U.S. For example this semester, I am taking Thermodynamics, Strength of Materials, Basic Mechanics (Statics & Dynamics), Mechanical Engineering Lab I, and Electrical Circuits. If I was at North Carolina A&T this semester, I would be taking the same courses. Then I further explain that there are differences in the resources for students and class sizes. The population at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology is approximately twenty five thousand students which more than double the population at North Carolina A&T. Typically at North Carolina A&T my courses have roughly 35 students. While my courses here have roughly 135 students. I am still adjusting to the class size difference.

Resources available to students for courses are limited. Ownership of textbooks is not common amongst students here. The library is used heavily for their books and photo copied notes are distributed to students. The price for photo copied notes is roughly five Ghana Cedis. Students here have to search for the resources compared to the majority of students in the U.S. who have every resource at the palm on their hands.

When it comes to the actual lectures they are operated a little differently. Most of my classes, I attend less frequently but for an extended amount of time. Three of my courses, I attend class twice a week and the other two courses; I attend class only once a week. While in the US, I went to most classes 3 times a week for an hour. The conduct of classes is different too. In the mist of class, there are not many questions asked by students nor are there many side conversations going on. I believe with the class sizes being larger, there has to be a minimal to class tasks that do not involve the course subject being taught. There is also a class representative for each class. This individual is the direct connection between the students in the class and the instructor. Typically, there is no one on one time with instructors here because of the size of the student population. Therefore, the class representative is responsible for distributing information to students from the lecturer.

The cumulative of grades are different too. Most of your grade is composed on your mid-term and final. There are a few homework assignment and quiz grades. For my courses my finals are 70% of my grade while mid terms are roughly 25% of the overall grade.

I will say students here take education much more serious. When you walk into a library its typically silent with everyone concentrated. I see they start their days earlier and end them early. There is more studying going on through the day time than at night. Ghanaians are not taking their education for granted. Many would also like to obtain their Masters or PhD in the U.S.

As a result, the students in Ghana and the U.S. are learning the same information in courses but in varied educational systems.

One Month In Ghana

During my short time in Ghana, family and friends tend to ask me the similar questions such as What is the food like, How are the people?, How do you compare it to the US?, and How modern is life there?  I thought this would be a great week to speak about these topics.

When I exited the plane that land in Accra four weeks ago, I knew I was somewhere different than home. From the sky, to the trees, to the roads, to pedestrians, and buildings nothing looked normal. I also know that some people have the impression that Africans live in trees and have no form of modernization but that is false claim. Ghana is modernized but in its own way. Buildings and homes have electricity and running water.  I will say that the atmosphere of this country is very relaxing and peaceful.

Many individuals use public transportation such as taxis and vans. Ghanaians tend to walk to many locations too. When Ghanians are traveling throughout the country the use of charter busses is a common form of travel.

The food is great. It is very natural and healthy. Common foods are rice, fish, chicken, plantain fruit, beans, and variety of vegetables. I tend to learn about different foods on the regular. Their meals tend to consist of more carbohydrates and vegetables than poultry. There have definitely been some meals that I have been eagered to eat chicken or fish and the portions were smaller than expected. If you love carbohydrates this is the place for you. Many of the dishes prepared are stews and soup based too. While on that note shopping for food is different than in the US. There is no Walmart or Kroger. They have outdoor markets in town that sell a variety of foods. The price for most items in the market is bargained. It is best to know their language and be accompanied by a native so you can get the best price.

There is also a currency exchange for the American Dollar. The name of their paper bills is Ghana Cedis and their coins are pesewas. The exchange rate is approximately 1:1.5 with the American dollar being worth more. The cost of living here is very inexpensive with wages being low. I have learned that a worker with no college degree typically live off less than a dollar a day. A college graduate can start out making around $250 a month and a professor with a PhD can make roughly $1200 a month. It is very interesting to see how others live and how their economy operates.

                Ghanaians are very friendly people. Majority of the people I have met are very pleasant and willing to helpful. I will also say that the people here are very hard workers. If an individual has a job with a college degree or an individual has a maintenance job they tend to do it with pride. Most of the individuals I have met are very thankful for what they do have. I sit back and think about things in the US I use to complain about and now I have a different perspective on many of those things. 

The biggest question so far is how can you compare it to the US? I have put much thought into this question and I feel there is not simple way of comparing the two. They are both great places with uniqueness and some differences. 

First Day of Class-KNUST

For my first day of class I had a open mind and no expectations. My first class was Mechanical Engineering Lab I which started at 10am. I arrived at roughly at 9:43. As time became closer to 10am I seen no professor or students. At that point I began ask students in the area I was in the right location for the class. I was in the area and about 10:20 students showed up and a professor. We all huddled outside in a area and was greeted by the professor. At that same time it was announced that there would be no lab today because students were still registering. All I could say was okay even though the last two weeks were strictly for registration of students. At that point the professor paired me with 2 girls who are 2ND year Mechanical Engineering students. They were so nice and helpful...trust me I was pretty lost of how most things work. At 11am I went to my next class which was Thermodynamics. This class was full of students and no teacher by 11:30. At that point a student of the class who they call "Preacher" got the class attention and said it would be a great time to pray for a good academic year. Everyone in this class went to praying individually and then join together in a Hymn. Then Preacher brought out his bible and told all to turn to 1 Corinthians 6:20 and began to minister. Some student definitely had their bible in the backpacks. I was thinking to myself...well im unprepared for class.lol. The things he was saying in his message were good point about life i began to take notes...Once he finished his message a young lady came to the class and said that class was cancelled. As of then their was no professor for the class and their in the process of finding one. After hearing that students began to leave....In all my years of school I have never witness a day of school like this...Im looking forward to what the future holds....

Cant Beat the Ghana Experience

Their are so many things I have complained about throughout my life that I doubt I will complain about again. When you take cold showers daily, the electricity goes off for hours from time to time, the internet connection is slow like dial up a lot of the time, wash clothes by hand, registration for classes is done manually, and learn that most unskilled workers in Ghana live on less than a dollar a day. This will be an experience I will always refer to throughout my life. I am also interested in traveling to other countries in the future to keep broadening my arisen. Love life and make the best of all situations...

My Arrival to Accra

As the plane landed in Accra, everyone on the plane clapped with joy. This is something I had not witness before on other planes. When I entered the airport and walked toward baggage claim in hit me that I was really somewhere not like home. Once I got my baggage and walked out of the airport, I was able see the white sign with my name written in blue ink. I felt important like a celebrity for a second. As I was greeted and packed into a vehicle, I was able to see the city. First thing that came to mind was everyone looks like me! As I was transported to the KNUST Guest House, the view of the city was just a cultural shock. As I driven through the streets, I seen vendors walking between the cars on the very narrow streets selling anything you could think of. In the mist watching my surroundings, I notice the radio station is was in Twi, and I had no idea of what was being said. Throughout the rest of this day, I was able to explore the city somewhat more and adjust to my surroundings. Today, I learn to say hi, bye, doing fine, food, and bathroom in Twi. It my goal to be able to speak this language as time goes on. It been a great day and I am looking toward more great days....

Preparing

I have exactly a week before I leave for Ghana. I am very excited and nervous at the same time. I believe once I get there the nervousness will go away. I am definitely going to miss my family and friends. Moving forward to the future.