Six weeks in Ghana has come and gone and the feeling is bittersweet. On the one hand, I am ecstatic to return home to clean showers and free water. On the other, I know that once I hit ground in the United States I will immediately miss Ghana. I think most of all, I’m going to miss the people. Especially my coworkers, and the fourteen cohort members that have easily become family.

Today is my last day at Citi FM, and it hadn’t hit me until now that I will truly miss everyone that I see every day in my office, even the ones that call me “Samanthaaaaa” just because it suits me better. I’ll miss the news room that welcomed me the first couple weeks and showed me what it is like to be a “real reporter.” And I’ll miss the other interns that tell me all about their experience and their universities. And the security guards who really want me to take them back with me to the United States. And the Breakfast Show people who wake up so early to come to the station that by the time I get there they’re groggy and ready to go home – yet are still so friendly and excited to see me. I’ll miss going on assignments with Felicia and writing stories for online. And I’ll miss my coworker that I didn’t even know was a pastor until two days ago. And the online department where the room is always stuffy and hot no matter how much AC is blasted in there, yet they don’t complain. 

My internship definitely didn’t start easy, but over the past few weeks I have learnt so much and I am so thankful that I embarked on this experience. I learnt that keeping an open mind and being willing to be stretched and prodded was the key to success. I was taught different ways of doing things that I don’t think are like any methods in the United States. I learnt so much through merely talking with people and exchanging ideas about politics (their favorite topic), sports (my least favorite topic), family, relationships, religion, and education. I am leaving with a larger understanding of this world. It is strange to think that this is likely the last time I’ll step foot in this country, yet I have grown to feel more at home here over the past six weeks.

In terms of what I will take away the most from these past few weeks, I can honestly say that it is patience. From the moment that I stepped foot here, I knew that would be my biggest struggle. I feel as though before entering Ghana, I was used to “easy.” Although we might not think so, everything in the United States is so simple and straightforward. You can hop in your car and go anywhere. You don’t have to haggle to get a good price, lest you get ripped off over groceries. And living in a cashless society is such an overlooked convenience. After living in Ghana, “Patience is a virtue” has never rang more true. It takes time to build relationships. It takes time to become acclimated to a place. It takes time to learn, and time to grow. It’s cliché, but it’s true. As mere mortals we are unable to control much of our lives. And when what we’re so anxious for does come, it is so very sweet.

It’s not a secret that I’m ready to go home, because I know that I will keep Ghana with me for the rest of my life.