5 Things People Told You about Ghana and You Didn’t Believe

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1.  The Heat: It is HOT.

Ghanaโ€™s weather during the month of May usually gets around the middle-high 80โ€™s; however it can get dry and humid at times.  I have learned to use sunscreen with 70+ SPF every morning while getting ready.  Iโ€™ve noticed that a lot of Ghanaians carry around a cloth in their pockets to wipe off sweatโ€”that is definitely something I need to get my hands on soon.

2.  Ghana time is real

In Ghana, people live in a very laid-back kind of way.  The Ghanaian saying of โ€œdo not worryโ€ really rings true in many areas of life. I experienced my first moment of โ€œGhana timeโ€ when my friends and I ate at a restaurant for dinner.  We arrived at the restaurant at 7:00 PM and did not get our food until 1 hour later.  However, it was definitely worth the wait.

3.  Mosquitos: They are real and here

BUZZ! SUCK! BUZZ!  Word from a person who has been in Accra for four days: bring that bottle of OFF! Deepwoods with deet!  Iโ€™ve spent my evenings in Accra hanging out with friends by the local pool and just relaxingโ€”there is such a calming and tranquil feeling to being in Accra.  However, be prepared to battle off mosquitos or else you might wake up the next day with bites all over your legs!

4.  The Food = YUM!

A big part of experiencing any culture is foodโ€”and Ghana tops the list!  The food here is so yummy!  My favorite dish at the moment has to be the classic jallof rice with spicy chicken. It is mouthwatering; I have had it about three times in four days!

5.  Ghanaians are your new best friends

Akwaaba! That is the greeting that so many locals have told in during my time in here.  People have been so welcoming and friendly.  I first experienced their kindness when a local Ghanaian man stow away my carryon luggage on the airplane to Accraโ€”the kindness and help has not stopped then. Iโ€™ve learned that Ghanaians want to talk with you

Ignacio Cruz

<i>*Texas Scholarship</i> Akwaaba! My name is Ignacio Cruz and I am a senior at the University of Texas at Austin! I am a proud Longhorn majoring in corporate communication. I am from the Rio Grande Valley in the deep south of Texas. This summer, I have been accepted to study abroad in Accra, Ghana on a four week service learning program. If you would have told me that I would be travelling to West Africa during my college career, I would have thought you were absolutely nuts! However, that once ludicrous thought will become my reality and I cannot contain my excitement! This summer I will put my communication skills to the test because I will be working with local art and crafts makers in Accra and teach them how to sell and market their own products online through the use of social media and eCommerce platforms. Needless to say, there will be a blast of hashtags, @ mentions, and retweets coming out of Ghana this summer! Last summer I had the chance to study abroad in Beijing, China and learned so much about myselfโ€”as a student, leader, and global citizen. I have learned to not stand back from taking risksโ€ฆ I have learned to look fear in the eyesโ€ฆ I have learned to defy expectations that have been set by others who do not realize your potential. Being able to step foot in Ghana will allow me to reinforce these beliefs in myself and hopefully set an example to every kid from โ€œel barrioโ€ who was in my shoes once. You have to be self-less, brave, and bold.