Week Two

Power has been out for a while and, even with a generator, that means WIFI is out as well. Therefore, I am overdue for my week 2 blog. I had a hard time thinking about what to write for this blog because it’s been one of my hardest weeks so far, so I figure honesty is the best way to go. I was told there are stages you go through while studying abroad, stages like a honeymoon phase, the hostility phase, the humor phase, and so on. This week I officially hit the dreaded hostility phase. I’m not sure I have completely bypassed it at this point, but I’m definitely feeling much better than I was.

Food in Ghana, although delicious, is a bit repetitive. You can only eat so much rice and chicken before you want to go insane. I got to a point when I would dread getting hungry because nothing sounded appetizing. I ate a bit less than usual and would often buy bread, fruit and Nutella for my meals…definitely not the kind of nutrition I needed. I feel like I’ve finally gotten past this, though, because as of yesterday (Sunday Aug. 23) I was actually craving Ghanaian food.

However, I still feel a lot of anxiety when going outside. Back at home I can walk to the beach and just sit by myself and relax. I’m the kind of person that craves alone time, and I need it to function. Unfortunately, this concept is almost non-existent in Ghana. I walk outside and, depending on where I am, people grab at me, propose to me, ask me for money, or even ask to take a picture with me because I am an obruni (Twi for foreigner and being white makes it obvious). The picture thing has specifically been getting to me. Being white seriously makes you like a celebrity here, and now I officially know I would hate to ever be one.

To give you a picture of what I mean, yesterday when I went to an art festival with some friends I was approached at least 5 times for pictures and 90% of the rest of the time I would see people sneaking pictures of us from afar. You have no privacy, none. There was one point where I became so overwhelmed by it all I was on the verge of tears. Its one of those things where you tell yourself it really shouldn’t matter, and you should just get over it. But blending in is what I do, I hate attention. And, unfortunately, attention is just what I am going to get here. I really do just have to get used to it.

I’m in a major adjustment period. I still love Ghana and definitely don’t regret coming here, I am just struggling a little. I was always aware this may happen and I 100% know it is going to get better. New cultures are hard, especially when everything is opposite of your culture back home. All you can do is change your perspective and laugh off the annoying, weird things that occur and eventually things will fall into place.

And on a brighter note, I’ve met amazing people from all over the world here. We’ve become friends fast and always have so much to learn from each other’s cultures. I’m enjoying every minute of it. All of the international students here are kind of like my “safe haven.” We’re going through all of these changes together and venting is one of the best ways to get through it. Without the friends I have made there is no way I would be doing as well as I am. They are some of the most compassionate, and inspirational people I’ve ever met. 

So for now this is it. I leave for Kumasi on Friday and I'm sure that will bring about a whole new set of experiences. Oh, it it'll be my 21st birthday while I'm there. And, as always, I'm excited to see what the next few days will bring.