I have so much to share, but I'll portion my thoughts in hiccups.
So I didn't talk much about Ghana in my last post; I just whined a lot about logistics. I'm shooting for "Informative" on this one.
When I went home for Thanksgiving, I was approached by many people with seriously concerned looks on their faces as they gently placed a hand on my shoulder and asked "Why are you going to Africa??" Which eventually unraveled and translated into, "No one goes to Africa! We know nothing about it! China would be so much more practical! Where IS Ghana? Is it safe? Are you going to die from a mysterious disease? I don't understand!"
Well now, lemme tell you...
Africa makes some sense in the perspective of public health, which is what I'm studying. Public health is the science of disease/injury prevention and health promotion in communities/populations, for those of you who don't know (I didn't even really know what it was until last year). Originally (prospects have changed a bit), I was considering the pursuit of some form of global health education after school, so you can imagine why I chose Africa. Get a feel of what I was getting myself into, you know? Test the waters. Granted, I'm not going to some extremely underdeveloped area where medical accessibility is rare and people are dropping dead, left and right. In fact, the University of Ghana, where I will be staying, is surrounded by medical facilities. But it's Africa, and there is a need.
Another reason why I chose Ghana is because of my wish to escape the American bubble. (yes...i've talked about the Berean Christian High School bubble...now the bubble has expanded over all of America. ha.) The idea of venturing into a place that is so foreign to me is chilling. In a good way to be sure! I want to be rid of the convenient luxuries at home. If I wanted comfortability, I could always take a vacation. Easily.
I spent a semester studying economic and political development in third world countries. It was an eye-opening course and changed my perspective of the world entirely. It's one thing to read, listen, and talk about how the rest of the world is functioning, but to actually immerse myself into the culture of a developing nation? Now that's an entirely separate matter. To live like the majority of the population in this world without the many luxuries I take for granted in America; to wash my laundry by hand; to have inconsistent electricity and water access in the dorms; to live without wireless at a pocket's reach away; to understand patience and gratitude; to be severely humbled by the joys of simplicity...these are the main factors that have impacted my decision and I cannot wait to be surprised!
Ok. so i hear pictures are a plus on blogs.
Soooo...here is a picture of Ghana in relation to Africa. It is bordered by Cote D'ivoire to the west, Togo to the east, and Burkina Faso to the north (I've been workin' on my African geography via Sporcle. Done my roommates proud! Melissa in particular. I hear ya girl!).
I will be staying in Legon which is about 7.5 miles north-east of Accra, Ghana's capital. The red square is Accra and the purple circle is Legon (compliments of Word drawing). It's super close to the equator, aka HOT! Woohoo! I had beautiful Cali Fall, got a taste of the brutal cold and am gonna skip on ahead to summer weather in Africa, and when I get back...it's gonna be summer again! MUAHAHA.
Alright. Time to take my typhoid pill. Third out of four.
This pathetic looking thing cost me twelve-fifty! $50 for four of em!
Merry Christmas and goodnight!
Ps: Color schemes will be changed soon enough. Too tired tonight.
