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Dear everyone,
I guess this is it! What a weird feeling. I leave Ghana this Thursday, in a little over 72 hours.

What just happened? I guess that was Study Abroad. It's difficult to describe this emotion, but I'm sure we've all felt some mixture of bittersweet excitement and sadness. Each semester at school thus far has been a chapter in and of themselves, and Study Abroad has loomed largely in my plans for almost as long as I had been planning on going to college.

Was it what I thought it would be? I guess I didn't know what I thought it would be, which is why I wanted to go.

And, now that I've been, what was it? Boy, what a silly question. It was a lot of things. I suppose the most apt word series would be"adventure", followed closely by "learning experience", and then bringing up the rear we have "intensely thought provoking and exciting". Some combination of those words will be used when I am asked upon my return by various people, "How was Ghana?"

But, for those of you who are curious, here is the long answer. How was Ghana?
There were rough days and there were days that I was floating on the knowledge that I was living in another country. There were times when I wanted to board a plane back to America the next day and there were times when I wanted to cancel my ticket home. There were moments so frustratingly rife with cultural barriers that I wanted to scream and there were moments when I was so touched by the kindness and culture of Ghanaians that I was left feeling profoundly humbled.

My program was incredible. Many people who we spoke with were later revealed to be incredibly important, either in Cape Coast or Ghana or the field in which they were working. The adviser of my ISP was the Chief of Sekundi, our home-stay coordinator was slowly revealed to be a local celebrity, almost everyone I came into contact with on a regular basis would have been ideal to interview for my research and yet 4 weeks is not all that long of a time and choices had to be made. We visited many important and interesting places in connection with, and also not so in connection with, the subject of our program.

One of S.I.T.'s emphases is on experiential living, and I definitely felt immersed. When walking about Accra, looking for the Ministry of Tourism by trotro, eating at Charles' place for breakfast, living at the Lemon Lodge, feeling fully a part of the Kum family, being utterly confident about getting around Cape Coast and even greater Ghana itself- I have definitely gained more confidence in my abilities to navigate in a very foreign place successfully and comfortably. I have also come to know and, at least partially, understand what it means to be a part of another culture. The mindset here is quite different in many many ways from the American one, which I would be happy to talk about with people at length (or shortly) when I return.

I definitely feel that more reflection is due, but am not sure what else to say. It is difficult to try and sum things up. Ghana has been an incredible experience. What an awesome opportunity! I am incredibly grateful to have had this chance, and can't even really imagine how I will be affected when I get back home.

That being said about how great Ghana is, I am ready to be heading back. There are things that I am excited to do this summer, and there have been a few annoyances here and there that I will be happy to leave behind. I thank God that I have made it this far, and pray that the rest of my trip and journey provide a fitting close to these three and a half months. I hope that you've enjoyed reading about my adventures... as I have been constantly reminded by my fellow Ghana girls, I have a tendancy to be rather long winded. Oh, well!


Last, but not least, if you're in the mpls area on Saturday, May 23rd, my parents are graciously hosting a welcome back shindig at 4pm in Plymouth. Snacks and a slideshow will be provided, so come one come all- I would love to see you!

Please RSVP to (and get directions from!) my mom, Kim, at kimcoreyedstrom@me.com by Wednesday the 20th.

Thanks again everyone, I'll be seeing you soon!