Ghana isn’t an easy experience to put into words. Like a lot in life, it wasn’t just one thing. Traveling halfway across the world to a new continent was exciting. Working alongside local colleagues and sharing in their daily lives brought pure joy. Seeing extreme poverty up close made me feel sad, frustrated, and sometimes Read More …
Within a week of landing in Ghana, I found myself at a crossroads after getting robbed on the beach, along with two teammates. Fortunately, we didn’t have much of value! On one path, I could play it safe for the rest of the summer, mindlessly clocking in and out of work while refusing to stray Read More …
The trip to Ghana has resonated strongly with many aspects of my life. I was moved by the gentility and openness of the people, the beautiful forrest preserves and the stormy seas, the striving of the youth culture, and the profound connections with American history. But nothing hit me like the visit to the slave fort, Elmina Read More …
In 2012 I traveled to Ghana with 14 Journalism students from the University of Oregon. The students were participating in a 6 week Media in Ghana program. I accompanied them as part chaperone, part observer, and part researcher. At the time, I was a Development Officer for the UO and volunteered to help raise money Read More …
My husband Jim Earl and I traveled with Leslie Steeves to Ghana in the summer of 2011. Leslie’s expert guidance helped us learn about Ghana’s history, Leslie’s program, and the meaning and power of journalism in the country. Leslie’s contacts run throughout the country’s many levels – political, academic, and personal. Leslie was unfailingly generous Read More …
It’s been years since I last stepped foot in Ghana, but I can still recall it vividly. A crocodile’s scaly skin and toothy smile. Intricate kaleidoscopes of colored fabric in the sprawling market of Kumasi. The aromatic, savory smells of spiced meats and peppery jollof rice for lunch. For two sweltering summer months in 2011, Read More …
I’ve been in more than 36 countries in my academic career, but fortunately this was my first trip to the African Continent. I can’t think about a better first trip to this unique part of the world that through the gates of a friendly and hospitable nation and the guidance of an expert scholar and Read More …
In the summer of 2004, I lived in Accra, Ghana as a participant of Professor Steeves’ SOJC journalism internship program. I worked as a news editorial intern at the Accra Daily Mail and wrote a regular column called the “American Obroni in Accra.” I devoted my column to the exploration of Ghanaian culture and spent my Read More …
My decision to participate in the Media in Ghana program was somewhat arbitrary, made to satisfy an internship requirement in my program, yet it has made a long-lasting impact. It veered my life and career in new and unexpected directions. I arrived in Ghana for the last term of my bachelor’s degree, planning to enter Read More …
I will never forget the first email. I think it was sent to every SOJC student, and the subject line – “Want to study abroad in Ghana?” – was basically click-bait before click-bait was a thing. It was fall 2003 and that email outlined a new summer internship abroad in a place I’d never really Read More …