By Kai Fontenot
I want to take a moment to reflect on my time in Ghana. When I first signed up for the trip, I was excited but also nervous. I didn’t know anyone in the cohort, and in the back of my mind, I was carrying the stress of graduating from college and trying to figure out the next steps in my life. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but looking back now, this trip turned out to be one of the best experiences I’ve ever had; a true bridge into the next chapter of my life.
From the start, Ghana challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone. I was surrounded by a culture that was completely new to me, and every day brought a different kind of lesson. Something as simple as cooking taught me so much. I learned how to make traditional Ghanaian tomato sauce, and even though my first attempt was far from perfect, it quickly became one of my favorite parts of the trip. Food has a way of bringing people together, and sharing meals felt like such a natural way to connect with the group and with locals.
Beyond the kitchen, there were moments that felt unforgettable in completely different ways. Salsa night stands out, dancing with people I had just met, laughing at missteps, and slowly getting more comfortable moving to the rhythm. Then there was playing soccer with little kids at markets, which reminded me how universal joy can be.
Of course, one of the most important parts of the trip was the people I met. I came into this experience not knowing a single person in my cohort, but by the end, I had formed bonds that felt really meaningful. Traveling together, sharing new experiences, and sometimes just figuring things out side by side, it all brought us closer. Those connections are something I’ll carry with me long after the trip.
Now that I’m back in the States, reality has set back in. I’m searching for a job, trying to line up a new apartment, and navigating the uncertainty that comes with this stage of life. It’s stressful and at times overwhelming, but I find myself already reminiscing about my time in Ghana. The memories bring me perspective. They remind me of how much I learned about myself, how capable I am of adapting, and how valuable it is to take chances even when you’re unsure.
Sharing these stories with friends and family has been its own joy. Each time I talk about Ghana, whether it’s the food, the music, or the people, I get to relive the experience all over again. It’s made me even more grateful that I took the leap to go.
I don’t know exactly what’s next, but I do know this: Ghana gave me a kind of confidence and clarity that I didn’t have before. It reminded me that life opens up in unexpected ways when you step into the unknown. I’m excited for what’s ahead, and I know I’ll carry the lessons of this trip with me for years to come. One day, I hope I’ll return to Ghana not just to visit, but to reconnect with the place that gave me so much at such an important time in my life
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