A Few Steps in this New World

The International Programmes Registrar that presented to us today in a wonderfully air-conditioned conference room made a statement that I thought both interesting and freeing: “You can’t learn about a culture to understand the culture; you have to observe it” (paraphrased).

In a sense, I’ve felt almost in a daze as I’ve started adjusting to the vastly different way of life here on campus. It has not been a negative experience in the least. Yes, the heat and travel exhaustion has forced me horizontal more than once (and yes, I can still sleep vertical as well), but it has been a rich time!

Slowly, the constant horn-honking and buzzing of taxis and buses is becoming a normal sound. It’s not a surprise anymore to see vendors walk amongst parked cars at an intersection, selling everything from inflatable toys to boiled eggs. I’ve been to the market only a few times and already I have enjoyed my time in such an economy much more than any store I’ve been to. We’ve bussed around the university grounds for two days now, getting to see a few key places on campus, working on student registration, and trying to solve endless WiFi conniptions. I’ve been able to stay healthy (no gluten reactions so far!) which has also been a huge answer to prayer! And speaking of food, y’all need to taste plantain chips! And Ghanaian pepper sauce. And I won’t even mention the fruit!

If I could sum up these few days in one word, it would be privilege. Meeting Dr Aziato, Dean of Nursing and cherishing her motherly advice, being greeted warmly by so many staff in various facilities, and the genuine care and respect they have extended to us as international students has been more than I could have dreamed. And this is where it comes back to true cultural experience as mentioned in my introduction. Unless you experience the things you only know about a culture, it is virtually impossible to fully understand it. And I have only barely started.