Sunday, January 11, 2009
Depart: Louisville @ 12:20 PM
Arrive: Cincinnati @ 1:09 PM
Depart: Cincinatti @ 2:20 PM
Arrive: New York JFK @ 4:26 PM
Depart: New York JFK @ 10:30 PM
Monday, January 12, 2009
Arrive: London Heathrow @ 10:25 AM
Depart: London Heathrow @ 2:00 PM
Arrive: ACCRA, GHANA @ 8:55 PM
Monday, December 22, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
AFRICA IN 34 DAYS... but who's counting!?
In just a little over a month, I will be in Ghana. It doesn't seem like it is that close! It's surreal and exciting. To be honest, I'm a little nervous. I have never travelled out of the country so I really don't know what to expect, in regards to passports, large, busy airports, customs, lost luggage, etc. There are so many things that could go wrong, but I just need to keep reminding myself to take it with a grain of salt. If I have that attitude througout the trip, then hopefully I will be able to overcome the challenges with poise.
As of now my biggest fear is packing and knowing what to bring to Africa. How many clothes? Do I need my curling irons? I like to do my hair now, but will I really want to in 98+ degree weather? I don't want to forget anything but I don't want to pack a lot of things I don't need. My friend who went to Australia last semester said that she took two suitcases. TWO!? For 5 months worth of things? Oh man!
I know someone studying in Ghana now so I've e-mailed him a few times, trying to put myself at ease and just be aware of the complications that could arise. Something interesting was the fact that there won't be toilet paper in most of the public restrooms! Including the dorms! LOL What? I really can't fathom that right now, but I'm sure I will get use to it, I mean, I really have no choice! I am looking forward to embracing the differences though. That is why I chose to study in Africa. I wanted an experience so different than America, and I think I'm going to find it!
Mel
As of now my biggest fear is packing and knowing what to bring to Africa. How many clothes? Do I need my curling irons? I like to do my hair now, but will I really want to in 98+ degree weather? I don't want to forget anything but I don't want to pack a lot of things I don't need. My friend who went to Australia last semester said that she took two suitcases. TWO!? For 5 months worth of things? Oh man!
I know someone studying in Ghana now so I've e-mailed him a few times, trying to put myself at ease and just be aware of the complications that could arise. Something interesting was the fact that there won't be toilet paper in most of the public restrooms! Including the dorms! LOL What? I really can't fathom that right now, but I'm sure I will get use to it, I mean, I really have no choice! I am looking forward to embracing the differences though. That is why I chose to study in Africa. I wanted an experience so different than America, and I think I'm going to find it!
Mel
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Choosing AFRICA
When I reveal my study abroad destination most people are amazed that I have the guts and desire to study in such a "foreign" land. Some question my decision and just can't comprehend my desire. They question "Why Africa? Why Ghana?" I answer, "Why not?" And then go into long, excited explanations about my reasonings.
Africa has always fascinated me. As an American I see African children on TV who are impoverished, starving, and living in war stricken countries. One of my goals is to evaluate my own perceptions about that country, and obtain an accurate understanding about the people’s way of life, assessing the similarities and differences between their culture and my own.
As a visitor to Ghana, I am excited to experience the hardships the citizens face on a daily basis, as well as the achievements they celebrate. Getting an insider’s perspective will be eye opening and humbling. I am excited to stretch myself to new lengths, step outside my comfort zone, and experience a culture so different from my own.
I imagine myself immersed in the Ghanian culture, enthralled with their customs and way of life. I want to experience life with less technologies, less conveniences. I want to live like a Ghanaian!
Africa has always fascinated me. As an American I see African children on TV who are impoverished, starving, and living in war stricken countries. One of my goals is to evaluate my own perceptions about that country, and obtain an accurate understanding about the people’s way of life, assessing the similarities and differences between their culture and my own.
As a visitor to Ghana, I am excited to experience the hardships the citizens face on a daily basis, as well as the achievements they celebrate. Getting an insider’s perspective will be eye opening and humbling. I am excited to stretch myself to new lengths, step outside my comfort zone, and experience a culture so different from my own.
I imagine myself immersed in the Ghanian culture, enthralled with their customs and way of life. I want to experience life with less technologies, less conveniences. I want to live like a Ghanaian!
The Beginning - I'm Studying Abroad in Africa!
Before this past summer I thought I had my life planned out... at least the whole graduation, job part. I was so excited because I was going to graduate in May 2009, instead of May 2010. A whole year early. It was a big accomplishment for me and I was proud that I could achieve such a task.
This past summer I was very concentrated on my major, TCOM - News. I was very confident that I wanted to become a broadcast journalist, and I wanted to hurry up and get out of school, so I could become successful, moving on to bigger and better markets. I worked for NewsLink Indiana the first 10 weeks of the summer and then I interned at WANE-TV NewsChannel 15 in Fort Wayne the last 5 weeks and then into the school year.
During the daily grind at NLI many people started to question if this is truly want to do with thier lives. It sometimes creeped into the back of my mind, but I would never let it surface because I was so driven and nothing was going to stop me. Then I hit WANE TV. A great place to intern. The people were very nice and very good at their job. The scary part was that almost every single one of them were married or engaged. They were set in their life. They were good at their job. I remember sitting in the back of the trucks on many occasions and questioning if I was ready for "the real world", even if this is really what I wanted to do! Very scary thoughts for someone who had always been so sure.
I've always heard that college is the best days of your life. I never really put this into perspective until the end was in sight. Another scary aspect of graduating early is the whole job market. Broadcast journalism is very competitive and it's hard to find a job in a decent market to begin with, much less now, with the economy in the shape it is. It scared me to know that someone who did NLI with me in the summer and graduated in July still didn't have a job. He was good. Why wouldn't a TV station hire him? Would they hire me?
So, after many self talks and crying sessions, I knew one thing for sure! I COULD NOT GRADUATE IN MAY! I couldn't bare the thought that I had chosen to speed through the process, not enjoy the time I had, and then graduate and be without a job, because of my own doings.
Breaking the News
Informing my mom about my decision was hard. She's always supportive of what I want. Wha will make me happy. No one ever cautioned me to slow down, because they didn't want to hold me back.
Telling my mom was a huge relief. She was so gracious, loving and supportive. She knew something had been upsetting me, but she didn't know what. My mom has always helped me with anything I wanted, and has never held me back from achieving my dreams and goals. Through this intense and confusing process, she has been there every step of the way and I honestly don't think I could have done it without her... as I even questioned this decision a few times! (Decisions are not my forte!)
Anyway... this is a verry long post, but it's such an emotional time in my life, as I was soo confused and unhappy with the way things were, and now I am on a journey to study abroad in Ghana, Africa! Who woulda thought!?
Mel
This past summer I was very concentrated on my major, TCOM - News. I was very confident that I wanted to become a broadcast journalist, and I wanted to hurry up and get out of school, so I could become successful, moving on to bigger and better markets. I worked for NewsLink Indiana the first 10 weeks of the summer and then I interned at WANE-TV NewsChannel 15 in Fort Wayne the last 5 weeks and then into the school year.
During the daily grind at NLI many people started to question if this is truly want to do with thier lives. It sometimes creeped into the back of my mind, but I would never let it surface because I was so driven and nothing was going to stop me. Then I hit WANE TV. A great place to intern. The people were very nice and very good at their job. The scary part was that almost every single one of them were married or engaged. They were set in their life. They were good at their job. I remember sitting in the back of the trucks on many occasions and questioning if I was ready for "the real world", even if this is really what I wanted to do! Very scary thoughts for someone who had always been so sure.
I've always heard that college is the best days of your life. I never really put this into perspective until the end was in sight. Another scary aspect of graduating early is the whole job market. Broadcast journalism is very competitive and it's hard to find a job in a decent market to begin with, much less now, with the economy in the shape it is. It scared me to know that someone who did NLI with me in the summer and graduated in July still didn't have a job. He was good. Why wouldn't a TV station hire him? Would they hire me?
So, after many self talks and crying sessions, I knew one thing for sure! I COULD NOT GRADUATE IN MAY! I couldn't bare the thought that I had chosen to speed through the process, not enjoy the time I had, and then graduate and be without a job, because of my own doings.
Breaking the News
Informing my mom about my decision was hard. She's always supportive of what I want. Wha will make me happy. No one ever cautioned me to slow down, because they didn't want to hold me back.
Telling my mom was a huge relief. She was so gracious, loving and supportive. She knew something had been upsetting me, but she didn't know what. My mom has always helped me with anything I wanted, and has never held me back from achieving my dreams and goals. Through this intense and confusing process, she has been there every step of the way and I honestly don't think I could have done it without her... as I even questioned this decision a few times! (Decisions are not my forte!)
Anyway... this is a verry long post, but it's such an emotional time in my life, as I was soo confused and unhappy with the way things were, and now I am on a journey to study abroad in Ghana, Africa! Who woulda thought!?
Mel
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