Adam Mead

Major: Advertising
Minors: Business Administration and Political Science

Internship: Ghana Football Association

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/amead/

I am a junior with interests ranging from sports to politics; however, I love when the two intersect. In Ghana, I hope to study and embrace the culture that is around me as I step out of my comfort zone. I look forward to the challenges, adventures and friendships I make as I embark on this incredible opportunity.

Andie Tenoso

Major: Journalism

Internship: Joy FM

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/atenoso/

I am a junior studying journalism in the SOJC. Currently, my main focus is sports broadcasting. I enjoy working with photo and video work and one day I hope to write my own book. I enjoy traveling and telling stories from my own and others’ experiences. I hope that the content I post makes you feel as if you are with me on this journey in Africa.

Ben Neal

Major: Advertising

Internship: Emerge Advertising

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/bneal/

I’m entering my last year at UO as an advertising major. I enjoy doing research and strategy. I have never been to Africa, and so I look forward to Ghana and experiencing all it has to offer.

Caitlin Crosby

Major: Advertising

Internship: Innova DDB Ghana

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/ccrosby/

I’m a recent college graduate with a passion for visual storytelling and traveling. Visiting different countries around the world fuels my creativity and challenges me to think in new ways, which allows me to share my experiences with those around me. Working cross-culturally is a dream of mine and I’m excited to experience a culture that differs from my own and be able to use my knowledge to accurately portray different racial and ethnic groups in media.

Derek Maiolo

Major: Journalism
Minors: French and African Studies

Internship: The Daily Guide

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/dmaiolo/

I am aspiring for a career in international journalism with a focus in Western Africa, reporting especially in francophone and anglophone communities.

I hail from a small farming town in Colorado, and I have felt the increasing need for agricultural reform, seeing firsthand the intense struggles that rural, small-business workers in the industry face in maintaining a living. I understand that many Ghanaian farmers are in a similar situation, and I want to talk to those affected as a way of connecting cultures and putting pertinent issues to light.

Apart from the serious stuff, my heart is connected to all things outdoors, as is nearly always the case with Coloradans and Oregonians, and I tend to spend my time climbing trees or mountains even when I have homework I should be doing. I have a devout love for adventure, new food, and leaping outside my comfort zone. I can’t wait for these and more this summer in grand and gorgeous Ghana.

Emily Leclerc

Major: Advertising

Internship: Emerge Ghana Ltd.

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/eleclerc/

I will be a senior next year, studying advertising at the University of Oregon. My interest in advertising is based largely on the creative aspects of it. I have always had a love for art, which I’ve been lucky to share with my family since I was old enough to finger paint. Having never been out of the country before, I’m eager to experience Ghana with this awesome group of people. I want to soak up as much of the culture as I can throughout our stay, and I am so grateful that I’ll have the opportunity to do so.

Emma Henderson

Major: Journalism

Internship: The Buissness & Financial Times

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/ehenderson/

I have always been fascinated by African culture and am excited to finally experience it for myself. I have a strong interest in gender issues, international issues, and investigative reporting. I love animals, nature, adventures, and trying new things.

Emma Scherzer

Majors: Spanish and Public Relations

Internship: Today Newspaper

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/escherzer/

I am a junior at the University of Oregon, double majoring in Spanish and public relations. I’m excited to learn about Ghana’s media first-hand, and also to gain real world experience working at a writing publication. I hope that my time in Ghana will allow me to achieve a more global perspective while being fully immersed in the culture. Post graduation, I hope to work in the communications industry on social advocacy campaigns.

Esther Knox

Major: Advertising
Minor: Computer Science

Internship: Citi FM

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/eknox/

Living overseas is not new to me. By the age of 18 I had lived in over 10 different cities and three different countries in North America and Asia. Africa, however, is entirely new to me. I am thrilled to be embarking on this new chapter in my life and having the opportunity to grow through learning.

Key Higdon

Major: Advertising
Minor: Japanese

Internship: Metro TV

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/khigdon/

Looking through the viewfinder of a camera is what I like most. I was born and raised in Oregon, which has inevitably developed my insatiable hunger for adventure and all things nature. I am excited to embark on this trip not only for the experience, but to take part in honest storytelling and problem-solving while making a few Ghanaian friends along the way.

Keya Saxena

Graduate student, Media Studies

Internship: Gender and Human Rights Center for Documentation

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/ksaxena/

I completed my undergraduate degree in Journalism from University of Delhi and my Masters in Development Communication from Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi, India. Before coming to the University of Oregon, I was a trainee at BBC Media Action, the international development arm of BBC. My research interests include communication for gender empowerment, information and communication technology and mobile communications for development.

Also, I am a proud foodie with a serious love for good movies, theater and traveling!

Rachel Benner

Major: Advertising
Minors: Women’s and Gender Studies, Economics

Internship: Starr FM

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/rbenner/

I am a writer, strategist and amateur photographer in my sophomore year at the SOJC. Someday, I want use the power of storytelling to inspire social change. In the meantime, I love to read, write and talk about feminist theory, behavioral economics, the history of advertising, and everything in between. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and explore an entirely new culture.

Tim Farah

Major: Advertising

Internship: Orakle Advertising

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/tfarah/

Spent the first 18 years of my life in Portland, the last 3 years in Eugene, and now I’m traveling across the world to spend 6 weeks in Ghana. Traded math for letters, equations for ideas, and made a decision that changed my life when I switched my major from Business to Advertising. Focusing on becoming the best writer I can possibly be and I write to inspire others through my words. Looking forward to learning every single day, and this journey will be a lesson I’ll never forget. Follow me as I experience an adventure that will change my life, Medaasi!

Zach Cross

Major: Advertising
Minor: Business Administration

Internship: The Finder

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/zcross/

Hello, I’m Zachary Cross and I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. I am an advertising major with a business administration minor. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball, listening to music and going on adventures with friends. I love exploring new places and meeting new people. I am very excited and blessed to be able to partake in this experience. In Ghana, I want to deeply explore the culture while learning and understanding media techniques.

Zach Putnam

Master’s student in Multimedia Journalism

Internship: Radio Univers

Blog: http://ghana.uoregon.edu/author/zputnam/

I’m a graduate student in the UO Multimedia Journalism Master’s program in Portland, where I’m focused on both learning documentary filmmaking and learning to teach it. I’ve worked in film and video production for TV, museums, and more since I graduated from Pitzer College in 2003 with a degree in Media Studies and Sociology. I’m passionate about using film as a way to empower people to tell their own stories. In Ghana, I’m excited to be part of the strategy team for our collaboration with Radio Univers, and to work alongside Professor Ed Madison to teach his Digital Skills Workshop curriculum to Ghanaian students.