This is midnight so it counts as today but right before I started this we met some young girls outside the guest center selling clothes, they were sisters and so sweet. We danced with them outside and they made me laugh so much. Turns out the one I thought was older ended up being 15 and her sister 18 but looked so much younger to me. Anyways yes it is Jasmine’s birthday and I’m glad because tonight I finally got the braids and so did Malta. We are excited to go out and celebrate because having a birthday while in Ghana is so dope. Jessica isn’t feeling so good so she is not going out with us but Dr Bekah, all of us, plus some of the friends we made are coming. Oddly enough we were stopped by the police on the way but Ghana is different and has roadblocks like designated spots where the police will stop any car the would like. We didn’t have to get out of anything he was just checking on the driver and his particulars to make sure he is allowed to be in the road I suppose. Upon arriving it was great vibes and energy and I was happy people on campus suggested this place to us. The music was amazing it was all my favorite Afrobeat songs and I was just in my element. One of the my most favorite memories will be here. The music was hitting everyone so we were all dancing and just so happy to be right where we were. It was pretty late when we headed home.

Today was a great day we headed to Jamestown one of the poor sides of Accra to learn more about its history turns out Kwame Nkrumah was held in jail there before being voted into office. We also visited his grave and final resting place with his wife

Today without a doubt we had the most amazing class with Dramatic Dan. For one we learned all about Adinkra symbols and its importance in Ghanaian culture. The place where we are taking classes even has the beautiful symbols. All over this finally reminded me of where I knew some from and it was my parents. In my basement we have all different forms of symbols some use to be up other I would just always see in our storage. Back to the class talking about the symbols reminds me of the power of culture the ways in which they could all come together. For example the symbols are used outside businesses, in college and university logos and so on. Therefore they hold a strong meaning and and presence for the people who live there it is a way of life. Next we learned a native song that i don’t think I will ever forget. The best part of the class was when we danced. First we were taught the moves over and over then it was played with the drums. We were instructed to listen to the music use to be to guide your dance moves. This worked and thankfully it helped loosen us up and I believe everyone had a really good time. I recorded the video so for a long time to come will look back for that. It will always be a good memory and Im thankful to Dramatic Dan for a great time and an even better lesson

Today I am starting the day from dinner but let me take it back we had another interesting class this morning. Then we decide to try this new spot on campus. I really hoped this would be the place where I finally find the fufu and goat meat I have been looking for. Sadly today that didn’t happen and they happened to not have certain things on the menu of course but I understand of course because they are just opening the place. But that did not stop me from eating well. I had jollof rice with Chicken and yam with beef stew and plantain. That sounds like a lot because it was and I ate all of it. For some reason I Was super hungry during class. Me, Jasmiri, Malta and Ivan were just going on about how much we are enjoying and it is crazy because we just got here not too long ago

  One of my plans today is definitely getting my hair braided because it is starting to look a mess and that is what I wanted to do first things first when I got here anyways. I might postpone thigh because we are talking about going to the market and I have wanted to go there for a while…. so we decided to go and we got a really nice cab drivers that decided to take us even though they don’t usually like to leave campus for long because they lose money. The market was big and they were nice enough to take us all around and help direct us. It was beautiful the market but mostly our drives and how nice they were without having to be.

Today is my best friend Vicky’s birthday so I started out at 4am Ghana time making a call to her so it would be right on time. She was so happy I wish she could be in Ghana with me cause she would appreciate its beauty. So today we have our first day of class and for a change I’m really excited. I always wanted to learn things especially history from another perspective that is not the same as the ones I’ve always known. I decided to wear this yellow outfit I had because I felt so bright. Being in Ghana so far has just made me so happy. Our professor today was so interesting she entered the room and you could already feel her energy and know that she was so passionate about what she was talking about. She discussed sustainability with food and agriculture in Ghana. She also utilized two PHD students from the University of Ghana that study these things alongside her. She opened my eyes to certain places where females were the breadwinners for the family. A narrative that is consistently ignored but of course for a reason 

  Tonight we stepped out to Afrikiko and it was such a fun time. Just being able to chill and my step sister came and met up with us I was so happy to be able to finally meet her. Two nights in Afrikiko a success but Jasmiri didn’t come out tonight so we have to get her out tomorrow. I want everyone to enjoy and she didn’t get to meet my step sister but she will next time we all do something. Till tomorrow!

May 29

Last Night after arriving me and Jasmine settled into our rooms at the guest center. I like it there and can’t believe we are gonna have to move out so soon. We grabbed breakfast at the guest centers connected restaurant. I only wish they had more choice because I am not the biggest cabbage fan but I was hungry so of course I ate it anyways. Today we have plans to go to the mall. Right now we are talking about how it is raining season in Ghana so when we go places we have to be prepared because even though it is really hot it looks very nice outside it can start raining at any moment. 

 I’m glad we are going to the mall now because I know we won’t always have WiFi so I need to connect my phone to something so I can use WhatsApp. I want to try and see what type of foods they have just for curiosity sake. To my surprise they had a Burger King. I didn’t eat it but 

BK is kinda my favorite fast food in America so it caught me off guard. I later was finally able to connect me phone to service and we spent some time looking around the mall

  We later dressed in professional attire to go and meet people who would help us transition and begin our study abroad. We played icebreaker games and were able to meet some graduated college students doing their one year of service to the school which I found to be very interesting. We also learned some things you can and cannot do or say to people in Ghana

So this morning we were in London for our lay over for some reason i thought we would be able to see around London. I don’t know exactly why maybe because I haven’t traveled this far before because one thing I realized is there would never be time even if you had many hours for a layover the last thing you would wanna do is put yourself in the position to miss your flight. One the first plane we took I have to say I remember why I hated the aisle seat so much, when I tell you I would fall sound asleep then book a flight attendant bumps into me or someone trying to get to the bathroom does. The first three time I was like no big deal but then after a while I was over it. But thank god we made it safe and this airport has WiFi! I updated my parents who were very excited for me that we landed in London just as they really really wanted me to do. I know they are worried about me but in a good way. Both of my parents wish they could be on the way to Ghana now and not working. 

  So we just arrived in Ghana!! And wow I’m an ecstatic this is weird to say but being a minority my whole life being surrounded by so many black people and knowing this is their own country is surreal. I did not think I would feel that so strongly. Typical African people were coming out of the plane all dressed up. I felt bad that Ivan’s bag got damaged I know that dampered his mood just arriving When we stepped outside I could feel the heat even though it was night and i was just telling myself yes we’re in Ghana alrighttt

Hello! Enyonam Mensah here! Today is day 0 and we are about to leave for Ghana. To say the least I am very excited for this new experience and being able to get back to the motherland. I know there is so much potential for learning after all this is where my parents are from and the culture I have always known to be mine. I wonder how things will go. Will the adjustment be easy? Is it really that much hotter? I’m glad I got this experience. The first thing I wondered about when I got to Cortland was if they studied abroad in Ghana. I am ready to fully embrace this experience and hopefully learn many new things and expand my thinking. Also the fact that I am going to have to opportunity to see and meet new family is so exciting to me, I have always wondered about my extended family being that the majority of them live all over Ghana. I know there are a lot of people excited to see me and i have never ever met them before. Something about that is so heart touching to me. I wonder if we will all have a very positive experience together. I know it is going to be great but I’m just anxious but at the same time every excited especially because I have not traveled outside the country since I was a little baby. I have flown alone before but not on such a long flight so I wonder what that will be like as well. Well today’s update is coming to an end but I’m excited for tomorrow when we land in the amazing Ghana!

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton