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Published: July 31st 2008
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Hello there! So 11 days left ‘til I leave for Ghana! Wow! So much to do in so little time. One of my goals was to set up this blog before I left, to make a sure fire way to keep family, friends, interested parties ha, informed on my trip. However, I’ve never blogged, so bare with me as I get into the groooove. The past two days I have been feeling slightly lightheaded, I think, from the malaria pills I have begun taking…fortunately, that seems to be the extent of my symptoms, since the bottle also says to be observant for any changes in mood including anxiety, depression, or thoughts of suicide! So far, I am just happily nervous and so THANKFUL for this opportunity. Every time I tell someone that I am going to Ghana, I get asked the same question, “how did you pick Ghana;” it is a question with a still developing answer, and hopefully, by the end of my trip, I will have a response that, most importantly, satisfies me. But, here is how I understand my trip so far:
My interest in Africa as a developing area began during my freshman year at JMU (Go Dukes!). At the time I knew I had an interest in American history, but did not have any interest in world politics, all I knew was that I liked reggae music, a lot, and that when my extended family went on a vacation to a resort in Jamaica, I wished I could have the freedom to explore the culture outside the resort fence! haha. Something about the JMU world politics class rekindled a passion for exploring, learning, and self-realization, the same feeling that I first encountered with books, hence my English Literature major - thanks Mom (you’ve been asking me recently where I got my adventure passion and travel itch from. Well I think I just found the answer. I had the same feeling of excitement reading Kerouac’s On The Road in 11th grade, as I did in that freshman year world politics class, the same feeling I have now, learning about Ghana and getting ready for my trip. So thank you for teaching me to love books, teaching me how big the world is.) So, at JMU I took this wonderful class concerned with Africa’s struggle to develop, its struggle with the IMF, its struggle with Europe, its struggle even with its own traditions. The class was taught by a young professor who spent time volunteering in Cote d’Ivore, and his passion for what he was teaching was contagious. Skip to my sophomore year, now at Pitt, I declare a minor in International Relations, and later, a second major in Political Science. While this second major has been great, Pitt does not offer a major in International Relations, only a minor, so my political science studies have become very broad, I have taken American political systems, political theory, all very interesting, but all a further extension from developmental politics than I would like to specialize in. To me, going abroad is a way to specialize, to gain the experience and knowledge that I feel may be slipping away as I only have one year left before I graduate…then its off to be certified to teach high school English, haha!
So, narrowing down countries in Africa was fairly easy, and honestly, was done quickly, in order to apply in time to go this fall. I knew I wanted to study abroad somewhere where I could take classes at a University (in English) that would count at Pitt towards my graduation. I was not interested in North Africa; South Africa seemed too americanized, so as I looked at the programs I saw on-line, I was left with Ghana, Kenya, and Botswana. Enter the violence in Kenya after the election, and I was left with Ghana and Botswana. A few days of reading and Ghana became my number one choice. I keep reading about its culture, music, and friendliness. Jazz, reggae - Stevie Wonder even has a house there, so I read. Plus, Ghana was the first country to achieve independence from Europe, and its first president is the mind behind the Pan African movement. Here is Lonely Planet’s first sentence on its on-line intro to Ghana: “If an award were given for the country with the friendliest people in West Africa, Ghana would be a strong contender. Spend a few hours in the breezy capital at Accra, and you'll swear the wind and waves off the Gulf of Guinea have infused the land and people alike with equatorial warmth.” Not bad.
Ghana has beaches, rain forests, national parks, and it is considered the center of the world because the equator and North South line (forget the name) both run through it!. Politically, Ghana has been stable since 1993, democratic elections, etc. I will be there for the 2008 election however! So I will have two races to watch!
Also, as I keep learning, the people already seem incredibly friendly! Case in point: Ruben, my new friend, who I met last night at Panera. See, I was working at Bravo the other day, and was making small talk with one of my tables. Turns out, both of the girls had studied abroad, one in Japan, and one in Jamaica. Later that evening, a hostess came up to me and said that there was a call for me on line one, something about a girl who knew I was going to Ghana. So I got on the phone to find out that she is right beside her co-worker who lives in Cranberry now, but is from Ghana! He immediately tells me that he will tell his family and friend that I am coming, so that I will know someone there to show me around in my new environment! Ruben and I met up last night, he gave me his friend’s information, and allowed me to ask all kinds of questions; I just can’t wait to finally be on my way!
So, thank you to my wonderful parents (hi Mom and Dad!) who listened to my “crazy” idea to go to Africa, and took the time to understand why Ghana was an appropriate study abroad destination, and then again to my mom for encouraging me to go even when the timing seemed off - and to Perry who supported my decision to study abroad in Africa from the very beginning… I love all three of you so much!
Not much left to do! Perry went with me to get my travel vaccinations: yellow fever, hep A, and polio…and he got me through the crying, the almost passing out, etc. etc. (a story for another day perhaps, thanks babe). I took my typhoid fever vaccine, like I said before, I’ve started my malaria course…pretty soon I’ll be at orientation in Accra, then beginning my classes at the beautiful University of Ghana! Hopefully I will be updating regularly!
Love, love, love,
Kristin
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Perry
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I say
Your contagious smile will fit right in! Can't wait to read more blogs!