By Samantha Lorenzo
I’ve always dreamed of visiting Africa. My entire life has been (and continues to be) shaped by the various influences that cross my path, such as music, art, books, and cuisine – many of which stem from a wide array of African cultures. While although I acknowledge the roots from which these elements originate, it would be ignorant of me to think I have a comprehensive grasp on life in Africa without ever experiencing it first-hand or gaining extensive knowledge on the continent or any of its 54 countries.
@uomediainghana #MediaInGhana 2022 has begun! 🇬🇭 Follow us to see more. #Travel #StudyAbroad #Internship #College #Oregon #LifeAsAJStudent
It may sound cliché, but this opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which is something I do not take lightly. I am aware of my privilege as an American and an academic who has access to the resources that have allowed me to participate in this year’s program. Because of this, I am fully open and ready to learn, create new memories, and be exposed to the Ghanaian lifestyle. I also recognize that there are people around the world who will never get the chance to travel to Africa or receive a similar experience. With this in mind, I hope to enhance the social/multimedia aspect of our program as a way to offer a glimpse of the country’s unique characteristics and the impact that educational initiatives (such as this) can have on those directly involved and beyond. To do so, I plan on documenting our experiences as a way to capture the diverse range of personalities and perspectives we may encounter during our stay. The content will be shared on TikTok and Instagram to serve as a new visual hub and central archive for our journey. The rationale and inspiration behind this approach is: “If you can’t be in Ghana, we’re going to bring Ghana to you.”
Stay tuned and follow @uomediainghana for more! To see an example of the type of content that will be included on our social platforms, check out the miniature vlog below from my last day before departing Eugene, Oregon.