For the most part, I feel like I have been pretty okay with the lack of schedules around here. However, almost everything to do with classes has made me extremely aware of how much I like schedules, efficiency, and organization. Many days, in my mind, have been wasted because of the lack of efficiency that I am accustomed to. In order to figure out which classes are being offered each semester, students have to go to each department building to look at the timetables. Some of the timetables were up two weeks ago, while others were not posted until almost a week later. Some of the timetables are posted on the outside of the building, but others are posted on the inside. So, if you’re like me, and you walk to the History department to see the timetable only to find out that the timetable is actually inside the locked building, then you just trekked fifteen minutes across campus for nothing and are very annoyed.
Going to classes during the first week was also quite a different experience. The first class I went to was a course about conflict in Africa. I walked over early with some international students, getting to class about twenty minutes before it started, since I had been told to get to classes early in order to ensure that I would have a seat. I had also been told that almost all Ghanaians and most professors don’t come to classes during the first week, but if you do go to class, you must wait forty-five minutes for the professor to show up, and if they don’t, then you can leave. So, I sat with dozens of white people and less than a handful of Ghanaians waiting for our professor. Almost forty-five minutes after the class was supposed to start, one of the people who had been sitting in one of the desks stood up, announced that he was the professor, welcomed us to the class, and said that since many students didn’t come, we would just start next week. What?! I expected most Ghanaians not to come to class, but why would the professor sit among the students for all of that time?
Many instances like this have happened, and more than once I really wanted to scream. Like, for instance, when I went to a department office to try and get my syllabus. I walked in, watched the worker dance around in her chair to blasting music for about five minutes, and when I realized that she probably wasn’t going to either 1. Look up and see me or 2. If she had seen me, ask me if I needed help, I walked over and tapped her on the shoulder in order to ask my question. Or when I showed up to a different department office to register for a class, only to find the office locked even though the lunch break was supposed to end more than a half hour before. Or, when I went to yet another department to try and register for a class, ended up walking around for 15 minutes because the office I was supposed to go to is not labeled, finally find the office, and then am told that the professor who usually helps register students is teaching and won’t be back for another four hours. Or when I walked twenty minutes to a department to pay for my photocopies of class readings – ones that were supposed to be ready five days before – and am told that they probably will be ready sometime next week. Or when I actually do receive photocopies of two whole books for my English class…and then realize that neither of those books were listed on the syllabus. I wondered whether I was given the wrong copies or the wrong syllabus…and then realized it was pointless to try and figure it out since I most likely would not get the answer until the next time I go to the class.
Thoughts that have been running through my head include: Why wouldn’t you post the hours that people can register for classes? Why would you not label the office with a sign? Why wouldn’t you have each department put up their timetables on the same day? Why can’t the whole system just be online? Why would professors not show up to the first week of classes? Why does everything take so long? Why is everyone always telling me things that contradict each other?
My culture tells me to see efficiency as the chief aim and adherence to a strict schedule as a major life goal. I am learning, though, that these things are not of utmost important to this culture…and maybe they aren’t quite as important as I have always made them out to be.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
african markets
I have been to the markets twice. To get to the Medina markets (they are located in Accra, and are one of the countless markets in the city area), we walk to the Main Gate of the University, which takes about twenty minutes from my hostel. We cross the highway and then walk a little bit down the road (past some other markets) to get a ride on the tro-tro (they are like 16-passenger vans which are the bus system here). The tro-tros don’t come on any sort of schedule, but instead there is a worker who yells out where they are going as some people scramble off and others decide to get on.
The ride to the markets is about 10-15 minutes long. During the ride, many sights can be seen: little phone shops where Ghanaians purchase phone minutes (they don’t do prepaid cell phones as we do in the US), women and men selling everything from water to plantains to glue, substandard houses, lots of red dirt, and people everywhere. I legitimately don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people just sitting, standing, walking all in one place…
Stepping off the tro-tro into the markets showed me that I really had no idea what a lot of people was. I could not believe how many people are at the markets. I am so surprised that I haven’t seen anyone get hit by a taxi or tro-tro, because they drive so close to people and really don’t practice any sort of pedestrian right of way. You can buy pretty much anything you would need at markets: cell phones, clothing, food, books, CD’s, water, buckets, kitchen supplies, rugs, etc. Anytime you look at an item at a stand for more than a second, the person selling the items there will come up to you and say hello, ask you what you want to buy, etc. Many little children are laying down on blankets near their parents stores or just walking around, and they often shout and point ‘obruni, obruni!’ whenever they see whites. A lot of times they run up to touch us, flash us big smiles, and then quickly run away.
After I got back from the markets the first time, I was trying to explain to Araba (my roommate) about how I had never seen anything like them before…how in America, we either have big stores that carry pretty much everything (Walmart, Target) or small specialized stores. I also told her how I have never seen people selling things on the side of the road, where sometimes they had to run alongside the tro-tro in order to pass their sold item in or receive their money. She said that having people selling things on the side of the road is convenient…if you forgot to get something at the market, you will certainly be able to get it on your way back. Never thought about it like that…
The ride to the markets is about 10-15 minutes long. During the ride, many sights can be seen: little phone shops where Ghanaians purchase phone minutes (they don’t do prepaid cell phones as we do in the US), women and men selling everything from water to plantains to glue, substandard houses, lots of red dirt, and people everywhere. I legitimately don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people just sitting, standing, walking all in one place…
Stepping off the tro-tro into the markets showed me that I really had no idea what a lot of people was. I could not believe how many people are at the markets. I am so surprised that I haven’t seen anyone get hit by a taxi or tro-tro, because they drive so close to people and really don’t practice any sort of pedestrian right of way. You can buy pretty much anything you would need at markets: cell phones, clothing, food, books, CD’s, water, buckets, kitchen supplies, rugs, etc. Anytime you look at an item at a stand for more than a second, the person selling the items there will come up to you and say hello, ask you what you want to buy, etc. Many little children are laying down on blankets near their parents stores or just walking around, and they often shout and point ‘obruni, obruni!’ whenever they see whites. A lot of times they run up to touch us, flash us big smiles, and then quickly run away.
After I got back from the markets the first time, I was trying to explain to Araba (my roommate) about how I had never seen anything like them before…how in America, we either have big stores that carry pretty much everything (Walmart, Target) or small specialized stores. I also told her how I have never seen people selling things on the side of the road, where sometimes they had to run alongside the tro-tro in order to pass their sold item in or receive their money. She said that having people selling things on the side of the road is convenient…if you forgot to get something at the market, you will certainly be able to get it on your way back. Never thought about it like that…
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
address
Amanda Olmstead
International Students’ Hostel 2 (ISH)
Room Number 18
University of Ghana
P.O. Box LG 586
Legon, Greater-Accra Region
Ghana, West Africa
International Students’ Hostel 2 (ISH)
Room Number 18
University of Ghana
P.O. Box LG 586
Legon, Greater-Accra Region
Ghana, West Africa
being the minority
It is rare here to see another white person (or really a person of any other race other than black). So, whenever any white person sees another white person, an instant friendship is formed. We stop on the streets to introduce ourselves because we can see that they are in the same position as us….in a different country with no idea of what they are doing. It is comforting to know that all of us white people, used to the benefits and cultures of more developed nations, are getting used to the Ghanaian way of life. It makes me think of how I have often heard Americans (including myself) say, why don’t the minorities in America integrate more? Why do all the black people stick to themselves, why are the Hispanics only really friends with each other, why do the Japanese separate themselves? Being here for just a few days has showed me that being the minority is hard. The majority in any place enjoys privileges they are not even aware of….I am not faulting anyone, but just saying that being the minority is difficult. It makes more sense to me now why blacks would want to hang out with blacks, Hispanics with Hispanics, etc. It is easier and more comfortable being around people who come from the same background as you…It makes you not feel as alone. I am not advocating segregation, but bringing up the point that we need to consider this issue from the perspectives of the minorities rather than just the majority. I am glad that I have the chance to be the minority here, to get a better understanding of how that feels.
I'm hereee!
Hello from Ghana! I have now been here for six days…I can’t believe it! It is so, so different from America…definitely still in culture shock! In these days, I have unpacked, met my roommate, tried to figure my way around campus, went to the markets, tried many new foods, met many other international students, and much more! Stepping out of the plane at the airport in Ghana made me realize just how hot it is here…I haven’t stopped sweating and I don’t think I ever will here! Customs at the airport was not intense at all, as I never had to show proof of my yellow fever vaccination (as I was told I had to) or any other documents that they said we had to have. It was soon easy to tell that English is not often spoken, except to foreigners.
I am still in the process of getting used to everything. Many things have surprised me or made me laugh, such as the porters questioning what I was eating when I had pretzels in my hand (although they did like them when I gave them some to try!), my roommate and other Ghanaians being very cold even when all of us international students are sweating, have both the water and electricity go out at the same time, having to say hello when passing people to not be rude, not using my left hand because it is a sign of disrespect, sleeping with a bednet, boys hissing to get your attention rather than saying something, cold showers (which actually feel very good because of the heat!), people carrying things on their heads everywhere (even things like mini-fridges and heavy sacks of water- it is amazing), some type of music (whether it is Akon, other American music, or Ghanaian music) always blasting from the markets or halls or hostels, always having red dirt on my feet (I think it is impossible to keep your feet clean here), bartering (something I am not good at), being called ‘obruni’ all the time (which means white person). And so many more!
I have been a little homesick, and am still in the process of adjusting. I have met many of the international students and all of us have been hanging out a lot. Something I really like is that almost all of the international students I have met are very knowledgeable about the world and really care about the issues facing the world today – it has made for some very interesting conversations from very different perspectives.
On Sunday night around 4am, people came around knocking on everyone’s doors telling us to evacuate immediately. Since there is no power, everyone in the hostels trudged outside using phone lights or flashlights to see. We stood out there for about 20 minutes before figuring out the reason for our evacuation: an earthquake warning. Apparently, some radio station in Accra said that there was going to be an earthquake, so people all throughout the city and campus went outside. We stayed outside until about 5am, when people starting thinking that the whole thing was a hoax and that the radio station (or someone else) had made the whole thing up. So, we all trudged back inside. It was so interesting to see the way that news travels here without many TV’s and limited access to internet.
Classes started yesterday...but not really. It is a well-known fact that most of the professors don’t come at all during the first week, but some students go to class anyway and wait for awhile to see if the professor shows up. Lots of Ghanaians don't even com back to the university until the second week of classes. The class system is very different here, all classes meet only once a week for two hours, and the only grade is the final exam. To find out the class times and places where they meet, everyone has to walk around to all of the different department buildings (which is no small task, because this campus is HUGE) and check to see if the timetables are up yet. Many of the departments haven’t put them up yet…which I’m guessing means that classes for that department don’t start until next week. So different from Elon :)
I am still in the process of getting used to everything. Many things have surprised me or made me laugh, such as the porters questioning what I was eating when I had pretzels in my hand (although they did like them when I gave them some to try!), my roommate and other Ghanaians being very cold even when all of us international students are sweating, have both the water and electricity go out at the same time, having to say hello when passing people to not be rude, not using my left hand because it is a sign of disrespect, sleeping with a bednet, boys hissing to get your attention rather than saying something, cold showers (which actually feel very good because of the heat!), people carrying things on their heads everywhere (even things like mini-fridges and heavy sacks of water- it is amazing), some type of music (whether it is Akon, other American music, or Ghanaian music) always blasting from the markets or halls or hostels, always having red dirt on my feet (I think it is impossible to keep your feet clean here), bartering (something I am not good at), being called ‘obruni’ all the time (which means white person). And so many more!
I have been a little homesick, and am still in the process of adjusting. I have met many of the international students and all of us have been hanging out a lot. Something I really like is that almost all of the international students I have met are very knowledgeable about the world and really care about the issues facing the world today – it has made for some very interesting conversations from very different perspectives.
On Sunday night around 4am, people came around knocking on everyone’s doors telling us to evacuate immediately. Since there is no power, everyone in the hostels trudged outside using phone lights or flashlights to see. We stood out there for about 20 minutes before figuring out the reason for our evacuation: an earthquake warning. Apparently, some radio station in Accra said that there was going to be an earthquake, so people all throughout the city and campus went outside. We stayed outside until about 5am, when people starting thinking that the whole thing was a hoax and that the radio station (or someone else) had made the whole thing up. So, we all trudged back inside. It was so interesting to see the way that news travels here without many TV’s and limited access to internet.
Classes started yesterday...but not really. It is a well-known fact that most of the professors don’t come at all during the first week, but some students go to class anyway and wait for awhile to see if the professor shows up. Lots of Ghanaians don't even com back to the university until the second week of classes. The class system is very different here, all classes meet only once a week for two hours, and the only grade is the final exam. To find out the class times and places where they meet, everyone has to walk around to all of the different department buildings (which is no small task, because this campus is HUGE) and check to see if the timetables are up yet. Many of the departments haven’t put them up yet…which I’m guessing means that classes for that department don’t start until next week. So different from Elon :)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
leaving soon!
One week from now, I will have spent my first day in Ghana...ahh!! I still haven't fully grasped this idea, probably because I'm not completely sure what to expect. Since everyone keeps asking me similar questions about the trip, I've made a list to make things easy :)
When will you be gone?
January 13th- May 17th
Where are you studying?
I will be at the University of Ghana, Legon campus. It is located on the outskirts of Accra, the capital of Ghana.
Where is Ghana located?
Ghana is in West Africa, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo, and borders the Gulf of Guinea. Accra is located on the coast.
What are you studying?
I haven't signed up for classes yet, so I'm not sure exactly what classes I will be taking. I do know that I will be taking 4 classes, most of which will be about international development, African culture, poverty, religion, etc.
What language is spoken in Ghana?
Since Ghana was a British colony until 1957, the official language is English. However, the languages of the main ethnic groups are also prominant -- meaning that I will be interested to see how many people really speak English. I'll keep you updated on that :)
Where will you live?
I will be staying in the International Students Hostel, which is a dorm that houses international students. I will most likely have a Ghanaian roommate.
What will you be doing there?
Other than taking classes, I am hoping to travel around Ghana (both to other cities as well as the rural areas) and to surrounding countries (Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso...and the list goes on:) ), get involved on campus, meet new people, explore Accra, volunteer somewhere in the city, and experience life in AFRICA!
What do you want to learn?
I want to know what it is like to live more like the rest of the world does everyday (think: no hot showers, occasional loss of electricity and water, sleeping with a bednet -- although I am lucky to have the money to use one of these, unlike many of those who are impoverished). I want to see slums with my own eyes, to get a very small taste of how people live on less than $1/day. I want to understand a different culture. I want to see a different side of Christianity, to see how the Church in Ghana is different than what I have experienced. And so much more!!
How are you feeling about the trip?
Both excited and nervous! I am nervous because there are so many unknowns. I am also sad to leave my friends and family. But, I am excited to learn new things and have an amazing experience.
How will you keep in touch?
Instead of sending out mass emails, I'll be putting updates on this blog -- so feel free to read what I'm up to whenever you feel like it. I will also be using email and facebook. I probably won't be using skype, because I've been told that it doesn't work in Ghana because the internet there is too slow. Please keep in touch with me! :)
...stay tuned for more!
When will you be gone?
January 13th- May 17th
Where are you studying?
I will be at the University of Ghana, Legon campus. It is located on the outskirts of Accra, the capital of Ghana.
Where is Ghana located?
Ghana is in West Africa, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo, and borders the Gulf of Guinea. Accra is located on the coast.
What are you studying?
I haven't signed up for classes yet, so I'm not sure exactly what classes I will be taking. I do know that I will be taking 4 classes, most of which will be about international development, African culture, poverty, religion, etc.
What language is spoken in Ghana?
Since Ghana was a British colony until 1957, the official language is English. However, the languages of the main ethnic groups are also prominant -- meaning that I will be interested to see how many people really speak English. I'll keep you updated on that :)
Where will you live?
I will be staying in the International Students Hostel, which is a dorm that houses international students. I will most likely have a Ghanaian roommate.
What will you be doing there?
Other than taking classes, I am hoping to travel around Ghana (both to other cities as well as the rural areas) and to surrounding countries (Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso...and the list goes on:) ), get involved on campus, meet new people, explore Accra, volunteer somewhere in the city, and experience life in AFRICA!
What do you want to learn?
I want to know what it is like to live more like the rest of the world does everyday (think: no hot showers, occasional loss of electricity and water, sleeping with a bednet -- although I am lucky to have the money to use one of these, unlike many of those who are impoverished). I want to see slums with my own eyes, to get a very small taste of how people live on less than $1/day. I want to understand a different culture. I want to see a different side of Christianity, to see how the Church in Ghana is different than what I have experienced. And so much more!!
How are you feeling about the trip?
Both excited and nervous! I am nervous because there are so many unknowns. I am also sad to leave my friends and family. But, I am excited to learn new things and have an amazing experience.
How will you keep in touch?
Instead of sending out mass emails, I'll be putting updates on this blog -- so feel free to read what I'm up to whenever you feel like it. I will also be using email and facebook. I probably won't be using skype, because I've been told that it doesn't work in Ghana because the internet there is too slow. Please keep in touch with me! :)
...stay tuned for more!
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