By: Kyla Morris

Packing is the hardest part of any trip. But especially when it’s a country you have never been to. This suitcase will soon hold the contents of my life for the next six weeks, and it never seems clear where to begin. As I prepare, I am continuously wondering what each day will be filled with, what the weather will be, and how I want to dress on any given day. In any new place, there are so many possibilities, but in such a scenario you want to be prepared for any and every situation. What if I get sick? What if it rains? What do I wear to work? Will I be able to wash my clothes? Will I need one or two bottles of bug spray? The questions are endless. But you can only prepare for the unknown so much and leave the rest in the hands of a good story to tell later.

I feel like I’ve been trying to pack my bags and prepare everything for days, but really it has been months of preparation culminating for this moment. I submitted my application for Media in Ghana in early November, had my interview with Dr. Steeves, applied for a scholarship, and bought my plane ticket in March. I thought I was prepared after a 10-week course in the spring with our group. We covered Ghanaian culture, packing lists, and past students’ experiences, and even learned a bit of Twi. Yet, questions and concerns still filled my head. My preparation began long before I pulled out the empty suitcase from under my bed despite my body’s stress. But sometimes you just have to go do it to feel ready for these experiences.

I am sitting here now in the John F. Kennedy airport, getting ready to take off to Accra, Ghana, 12,148km from my home state of California I am filled with excitement and nerves. I am ready to take on this adventure and open my eyes to new perspectives and different ways of life. I am excited about the opportunity to learn from creatives in the sports broadcasting industry in an international environment. However, I am also concerned about my health for the duration of the trip. I am nervous about having everything for this length of time. Stores will likely be different and hold products that we are not accustomed to. I am anxious to encounter the Ghanaian people as a foreigner who is also Black. How will I be received in such a space? How will I feel emotionally about the culture shock?

A few tears were shed as I said my final goodbye to my sister who dropped me off at the airport. She filled me with comfort and reassured me that all will be well. This is an opportunity few ever get and soon my worries will all be gone. Our time in Ghana will fly by and I will soon be home sharing stories and memories, yearning to relive each moment all over again. My flight will be followed by an embrace from my fellow classmates and professors, whom I will learn, overcome challenges, and enjoy every adventure with. From months to weeks to days to an empty suitcase, 10 hours is the only thing that stands between me and the experience of a lifetime.