By: Romie Avivi Stuhl

The sounds of Ghanaian music are coming into my ears through my Bose earbuds. Yet, in front of me lies the iconic PDX carpet and to my left is a US Bank ATM. I have approximately 90 minutes until I take off to Chicago, then I’m off to Brussels, and finally, in about 35 hours, I will land at Kotoka International Airport. I am feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement. I guess it’s no wonder they say those two feelings are closely related. I am excited for the people I will meet, the culture I will have the opportunity to immerse myself in, and the foods I will taste for the first time. I am nervous because change is often scary. Even though I spent the last term learning about Ghana I still feel like there are so many unknowns.

I spent my last day in Oregon hanging out with my family. I went to get my nails done with my mom, had a burger at the local food carts with my family and gave my two dogs so many kisses and cuddles.

My family is used to goodbyes. Almost every summer I fly abroad to visit my father and extended family. I am usually gone for four to eight weeks. It never gets any easier to say goodbye. I often joke that I always miss someone, sometimes my mom, sometimes my dad, sometimes my friends, sometimes my grandparents. As I left the house I gave my mom a big hug. I could see tears fill up her eyes as she closed the door.

This journey feels different from my usual trips abroad. It is my first time putting myself in such a position of discomfort. Everything in Ghana is so new to me. It isn’t a trip to the usual European culture I am used to or my birth country I lived in for 11 years. This trip’s purpose isn’t a family vacation or a family reunion. Throughout the next six weeks I hope to broaden my perspective of the world and improve my journalistic skills. I am taking a leap for self discovery.

I heard about the “Media in Ghana” program through an email from SOJC Advising back in early November. I interviewed for the program at the end of the month and was accepted. Back then June felt so far away. I cannot believe I am just three flights away from Ghana. Pretty soon Ghanaian music will be all around me and not just in my earbuds.