Here’s what a lot of people won’t tell you- behind every Instagram post, or “wish you were here” selfie that you send to your family back home, there were probably several other moments that weren’t that great. Moments where you maybe doubted yourself, felt confused or frustrated with the city around you, and even wished you could just go back home.

For me, all those not so great moments decided to follow me last week where I cried in a bathroom stall in the Accra mall, wanted a hug from my mom more than anything in the world, ended up going to the hospital, and ultimately realized that I was going to be okay.

Before we left for Ghana, Leslie warned everyone that we would all have a bit of a stomach bug at some point during the trip (oh the joys of traveling). I figured my stomach could probably handle it, but boy was I wrong.

Over the course of the weekend, I started to experience the “symptoms” of the stomach bug. I will spare you the details but let’s just say I had enough Imodium and Tums in my system to last a lifetime. When it came around to Monday, I decided it was time for me to start using the real deal- also known as Ciprofloxacin.

I was able to make it to work on Tuesday with minimal damage but a sharp and consistent reminder in my stomach that things were definitely not okay. Being the stubborn person that I am, I decided I could tough it out for the week and go to work on Wednesday.

I loaded in the Uber with another girl from the program so we could take our usual carpool to work. Ten minutes into the bumpy car ride and the nausea hit. There was no way I could make it through the next hour in Accra traffic.

We quickly ended the ride to find refuge at the Accra mall where I could at least feel miserable away from the people crowding the street. Being the incredibly kind and gracious person that she is, the person I shared the Uber with carried my bag all the way to the mall where she constantly encouraged me and made sure that I was okay. You know who you are, so please know that I wouldn’t have made it through that experience without you and I am so grateful to have met you through this program.

When we eventually made it to the mall, I rushed it to the bathroom just in time. Inside that bathroom stall, all the emotions hit me at once. After several minutes of tears and a comforting call from my mom, I left the stall and we scheduled an Uber back home.

Eventually, I made it to the hospital which was an experience in and of itself. Let’s just say it’s a lot than what I’m used to in the U.S. After being in the hospital for over two hours, I was diagnosed with a case of food poisoning and was prescribed medication. Finally, I could start the road to recovery.

So, you may be asking yourself, why did I decide to share this incredibly dramatic and extremely embarrassing experience with you all?

Here’s the answer- maybe you’re a prospective student wanting to join this program, a relative wanting to read up on one of your loved one’s adventures, or a faculty member. Whatever the case may be, you all deserve to see the whole experience. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

So here it is- although this past week has been one of the more difficult ones that I’ve had to face, my time in Accra has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life.

This trip isn’t for the faint of heart. It will challenge you and push you to your limits. But beyond those moments of adversity, you realize how lucky you are to be here. You realize the beauty of things around you in those small moments.

The understanding of your Uber driver for having to end your ride, even though it would cost him money.

The infectious smiles of the babies in the same hospital waiting room as you, as they take in the world around them.

The friends who come home from a long day at their internships to ask you if you’re feeling okay or need anything.

The Ghanaians in the streets who choose to laugh and dance despite the circumstances.

Soon you realize that what you’re going through is so insignificant compared to what surrounds you.

So yes, it’s hard at times and you’ll want to throw in the towel and go home. But I encourage you to keep going. It will be difficult. It will be frustrating. It was will stressful.

But it will also be worth it.