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My experience in Ghana was honestly more amazing and fulfilling than I ever imagined being possible. I did not go into the trip seeking a life changing experience, but I came home fulfilled, opened, touched, and finding new changes in my perspectives everyday. A key quote from my volunteer experience that rings true to me every day is one that my fellow volunteer heard from a stranger during his travels “You may not change Africa, but Africa will change you”. I could not think of any other words that capture my sentiments on the trip more accurately. To this day I still think about the time I shared, the people I met, and the experiences I had in Ghana.

During my trip I was assigned along with 3 other volunteers to teach in a small primary school in Nungua named Vivibon about a 7 minute walk from our house. Within the school I volunteered to teach Creative Arts and Physical Education to basically all grades P1 through P6. Although a daunting and sometimes overwhelming class schedule, trying to juggle overlaps and occasional extra absences of teachers, I would not have my time filled any other way. Carrying these highly interactive classes with all the grades gave me a chance to get to know the grand majority of the school and helped me to create great friendships with many students and teachers alike. It is the Ghanaian way to be welcoming and friendly to newcomers and this open atmosphere helped us volunteers feel that much more comfortable and accepted in the new workplace. Recognizing that it is a different culture from my own, I found it interesting teaching under the Ghanaian educational system with an American background. Balancing the cultural differences in teaching styles was definitely challenging at times; trying to make sure the kids understood and respected our new teaching style but not forgetting to adapt and incorporate their previous education. The constant growth on my part as well as my students on a day to day basis whether it be music, yard games, or academics was something I will cherish forever and never forget. Furthermore although my amazing experience at school took the majority of the time of my trip, on the weekends and in our free time we volunteers took many trips too see and truly learn the country for ourselves.

During my time in Ghana I was fortunate enough to take many weekend excursions and trips with other volunteers in order to see the country outside of our small town. We took a trip to the Cape Coast one weekend and stayed the night to see multiple sights including the Cape Coast Castle. We also took day trips to rainforests, two different waterfalls, a monkey sanctuary, the beach, and many more wonderful and natural ventures the country has to offer. Although I will always feel like my month in Ghana was too short in real time, the full experience feels like it could have taken an eternity. I am now months out of the country and I sill think about it daily. I will never forget the people I met and I will be forever grateful for the experience I had.