After adding an advertising major at the end of my sophomore year, I kept hearing reference to a study abroad program in Ghana. I heard rumors that it could land you a job right out of college, or help you discover your path in the School of Journalism. Regardless if either of those were true, I was intrigued. Luckily, I was able to meet with a former alum of the program who graciously spoke with me and answered all my questions. She told me tales of her trip. Using words foreign to me, such as trotro and banku, she was able to depict what was ultimately a once in a lifetime adventure. After doing some research of my own, I discovered my birthday shares the same day as their independence day, March 6th. I decided to use this small coincidence as leverage over-myself as reason enough to go.
Twelve weeks ago, when we all began studying and preparing for this trip as a group, it mimicked a normal class. There were papers and readings and presentations, all indicators of a typical course. Except for this class, although still a graded course, was about more than our ability to regurgitate material, it would become our foundation for working successfully in Ghana, as well as getting the most out of our time there. Everything we covered, from the music to the language will become extremely relevant on June 29th (27th for me).
As I finish stuffing the last of my cliff bars into my bag I am forced to come to the conclusion that these are my final moments of restfulness before an incredible adventure. Come tomorrow I will be on a plane, or series of planes, headed for Ghana. Never before have I experienced so much excitement and anxiety leading up to a trip. I have been very fortunate and have had the opportunity to perform alongside the Thames river in London, climb Mayan ruins on the Yucatan peninsula, and walk up a glacier in Banff, but as I finish preparing for my trip to Ghana there is a different level of excitement. A surreal aura to it all. A feeling of traveling into the unknown even though I have spent the last year preparing for this trip. Is it because Ghana is not a typical travel destination? Perhaps it’s because my background knowledge of the country comes only from the last year. Can you even prepare yourself within a year for this large of culture shock? Regardless of the answer, it is hard not to begin this journey with a smile. As I spend my final moments in Oregon for a couple months, a quote from Dwight Eisenhower keeps repeating itself in my head, “Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” I imagine there will be many things on this trip that do not go according to plan but with our research on the country, we will be able to effectively adapt to any situation. Having the opportunity to not only travel to Ghana but live and work alongside Ghanaians anoint this program as more than a typical study abroad, but as the chance to truly understand a new culture.