Dubai was cool, but I've Ghana'way!

Ghana'way!

First glimpse of Accra

In traffic in Accra

First things first - I survived the 13 hour flight to Dubai, the 12 hour layover in Dubai, and the 8 hour flight to Accra! :) The travelling is officially over, and I am soo glad I am no longer cramped in a too small seat on a plane for hours at a time although I did meet some very nice people along the way. However, now the real adventure begins.

 I am currently laying on my single bed underneath a white mosquito net that is draped on all four sides of the bed (see photo below) with a ceiling fan desperately trying to churn the muggy air - it's semi-working in that at least it is somewhat cooler than outside in the blazing sun but it's clearly inevitable that I will always be coated in a thin layer of sweat here. We arrived in Ghana a few hours ago - and have since briefly explored the grounds surrounding the University of Ghana, exchanged some of our US dollars for Ghanaian cedis and shopped at the local convenience store and street market (just for some much needed water and internet so far). Now we are just resting in our rooms at the International Student Hostel (fondly called "ISH" ) until we have a brief orientation at 6PM. Then, the next three days will be our formal orientation - including everything from health and safety to 'twi' lessons (local language) to dance classes! I am glad we have this time now to somewhat recover from all the travelling. I am doing well - a little tired, a little homesick but mostly wanting to know what tomorrow will bring here in West Africa as so much still seems unknown!

For now, take a look at some of the photos I've taken on my travels thus far. Please send your love and keep me and the other students in your prayers!

Love and blessings,
Brianna

Our humble abode:)

Dubai airport

Aquarium in the Dubai mall

Me by this crazy fountain in the Dubai mall

Men walk around in these outfits to show they are Emirates

The tallest buildling in the world!

BEST hazelnut gelato!

Water and light show in front of the 'tallest building in the world'

This adventure is less than a month away..

It's hard to believe.

In less than a month I will be boarding a plane with seven other students from Wilfrid Laurier University to live and intern in the West African country of Ghana. We will be living on the campus of the University of Ghana in the International Student Hostel, while interning at various Human Right's organizations within the region.

I will be interning at the Human Rights Advocacy Centre (HRAC) in Accra, and I honestly don't know what to expect. I am not certain of what my role will be, but despite that unknown I am looking forward to learning all that I can while at the HRAC. It's going to be a life-changing experience, and I hope to be able to give you a glimpse of what I am experiencing by writing on this blog, while also perhaps helping myself process everything.

I won't be posting here every day as I hope to be experiencing my time in Ghana to the fullest, but I'll do my best to give you folks back home an indication of how I am doing and what living in Ghana is like as often as I am able.

Although I will have a cellphone while in Ghana, it's purpose will only be for local use. The best, and indeed really the only way, to contact me while I am in Ghana will be via the Internet, especially Facebook and this blog! However, if I can swing Skype in at all I will let you know!

I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous - this experience is going to force me out of my comfort zone in so many ways, but I suppose the most worthwhile experiences will be the ones that require you to 'do it afraid' and enable you to grow into a stronger person as a result. That is my hope for this experience!

So I am nervous, but I'm also really excited - who knows what this experience in Ghana will lead to while I am there, and also in the future!

Please keep me and my fellow students in your prayers and keep an eye out for future posts here! :)

Peace & love,
Brianna

“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” ― Robert Louis Stephenson