I didn't know if I was coming out of the bathroom stall.
I didn't know if I was going to walk onto the plane.
I was alone. It was up to me to unlock the door, to look myself in the mirror, to tell myself - this is it.
And that was it, I was on my way to Ghana.
That was a year ago -
A year ago today I was scared of the unknown, of where I was going, of what I was doing.
"I believe writing changes you," he told us.
I believe experience changes you. I believe you can change as much as you allow yourself to be open.
And being open is one of the hardest challenges.
I opened myself up to Ghana and I don't ever want to close myself off.
There are no doors, just caution tape.
But when the future is intimidating, when you don't know what is going to happen next,
when you realize it's all up to you, a little luck, a lot of work, and ton of support,
it seems easier to crawl back under the covers,
to distance yourself,
to turn down the volume.
Let it play, loudly,
Let it hold your hand, tightly,
Let it pull you out of bed, quickly,
Let it open you up, forever.
I didn't know what would happen,
I wasn't prepared to fall in love,
with a place, with a people,
that created a space for me to grow.
But it happened,
A year ago today it started.
And this writing, it has changed me, and it is continuing to.
Hi Claire, I'm a female 20yo student from Virginia planning on possibly studying abroad at the University of Ghana next semester, where I'd be staying at the International Student Hostel, but I'd be going completely independent (not through a program) and would not know anyone else there. I'm still really conflicted as to whether or not I should be going alone, so I've been trying to get input from anywhere possible! When there I would hopefully meet other international students at the hostel so that I'd be able to travel to other places/national parks worth visiting in Ghana. Since you were there for an extended period of time, do you have any advice as to whether or not it's a good idea for me to go alone?
ReplyDeleteHi Nina, I'm not sure that I can answer whether or not it's a good idea for you to go alone but I can let you know how I'd feel if I had traveled alone and how it felt to travel with a group. I loved my time abroad because of the friendships I made with other American students as well as the independence I had doing a homestay and getting to know the family that I was living with. My friends who did live in the international hostel met a lot of other students and some did travel with one another, so that will most likely be an option for you. I am someone who needs a little bit of security when traveling, at least to be able to turn to someone when I have a question or concern and that's why I felt that traveling with a group was best for me. But that might not be you. Have you been abroad before? Homesicknesses can hit at any point and it's sometimes good to know who you can turn to for an understanding ear. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I'm actually from Virginia too!
ReplyDeleteClaire, thanks for getting back to me so fast! I'm so excited to finally make a conclusive decision on this. Do you remember if there were many students there completely independently like I'll be? I have traveled abroad a couple times but never by myself or in a 3rd world country, so that's a definite concern but I feel like I'll be able to take care of myself and as long as I am constantly aware of my surroundings and careful I should be safe? Safety is probably the main thing holding me back as of now…although I have heard that Ghana is one of the safest countries in Africa. It would be nice to have some solid reassurance to tell my parents though haha. Also, do you know how easy it is to get transportation to other areas worth visiting in Ghana (Kakum, Cape Coast..)? Thanks so much!
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