Coming to Terms

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” – Winston Churchill

Yesterday was not my favorite day. I cried, I panicked, I blame the roosters. I woke up this morning with a better attitude, thanks to those friends and family of mine that just happen to be awesome. Namely Bethany listening to me blubber over Skype, Erin and Maggie reading my tales of woe in email, and Mabel and Sonia giving me some phone perspective. And mom and dad! Those people rock.

Today is a new day. At the ripe old age of 32, I have gotten to know myself pretty well. And, it turns out, I am often prone to focusing on the negative and too pessimistic for my own good. No news flash to most of you out there I’m sure. But regardless, I’m working on it. Some flexibility never hurt anyone. The greatest challenge for me is adjusting to the different work ethic. In America, it’s go go go work work work all day long. I was that crazy teacher that showed up at 7am and left the building at 4:30pm with a bag full of work each day. Here, I am experiencing a much more laid-back life, which is essentially the polar opposite of Amy. I really need to zip the lip and sit back and enjoy the relaxation. It will be good for me, despite my efforts to resist. I’ve been told that you can’t change Africa; Africa changes you. I’m in the midst of accepting that notion.

So, with some pushing and shoving, I think I am on the road to developing a solid work plan for my time at this college. My frustration yesterday lied in the fact that no plan was set for me here. I have had to initiate my own job. I’m not a surprise visitor; these people knew I was coming. But, ‘tis life. Seems that my primary responsibility is going to be helping students develop teaching and learning materials focused on reading and showing how reading skills are important in all subject areas. I’ve also been told I may be asked to teach a few sections of English. We shall see where the road takes me.

Today I observed several classes: Education and English. Thirty-forty students in each class. The English class was two classes combined today and there were about fifty students total. Only six of which were female. In each class, the teacher lectured, and the students wrote every word that was told to them. One teacher was reading from a manual, but also facilitating discussion with questions and prompts, while the other teacher essentially did the lesson on her own. I guess it’s similar to American universities, which often includes a lot of lecturing. It is a shame though that teachers here and in America constantly preach about “engagement”, yet so few actually model this in their own teaching practices. Having struggled with managing twenty students, I can only imagine the challenge of managing engagement when you have forty or more students. I’m headed to town this afternoon to pick up some things. I’m bracing for impact! By impact I mean the hundreds of African eyes that will likely gravitate towards my pearly white skin.

Just Breathe

“The strongest have their moments of fatigue” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Every morning at 4am I am woken up by roosters and a few minutes later, college students. What I've been told about my job is not at all what I was anticipating or hoping for and I feel largely disappointed. I am tucked tightly inside of a college campus with essentially no one to talk to. The staff and student body is composed primarily of men who stare more at my body more than my eyes. I am greeted in English and spoken to in English, but shortly thereafter, the conversation evolves into use of the local language and I have absolutely no idea what is being said.

I'm trying really hard right now to remind myself that I can do this.

Dealing with Differences

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. ~Dalai Lama

I thrive on challenge. Anyone who knows me can attest to this. Both professionally and personally, I am constantly seeking out thrills and new situations that will push me to an edge of some sort. Professionally, this has helped me grow as an educator because I have worked in various schools in various grades and have a plethora of experiences under my belt. As for my personal life, this thrill seeking has left me single. Ha ha Being here in Ghana, at this specific college, in this specific community, is going to provide me enough challenges to last a lifetime.

I am in the minority in so many ways here. First, I am living and working at a Catholic college. I practice no form of religion and generally tend to side with the Dalai Lama – just be kind and be a good person. However, here in Ghana, everything is about Jesus. I have prayed more in the last three days than I have in my entire life combined. Also, I have been told about how important God is, how I need to read the bible, and how worship and belief is the only route to eternal life. Though I have been exposed to Catholicism throughout my life, I have just never truly bought in to it all. I honestly feel that everyone has the right to his or her own beliefs. To each his own I always say. However, it becomes uncomfortable to me when others try to push their beliefs onto me. Earlier today I told someone that I don’t go to church, and he gasped and looked at me as though I were the devil himself! Just call me a heathen! It will be an interesting challenge, to say the least, to quietly try to slide under the Jesus radar and simply nod my head and respectfully engage when asked to.

Apart from religion, I am one of two white females currently living in this community of about 5,000 people. There are two male volunteers here at my college, one American, one Japanese, and also a female Peace Corps volunteer at the school for the deaf down the road. Being one of few persons of a different race is a brand new experience for me. Additionally, I don’t speak the local language. Though English is Ghana’s official language and is spoken in schools, within the community people speak Twi. All eyes turn towards me wherever I have gone, and I can’t say I love all of that attention. I’m generally more interested in going unnoticed. Forget that thought here! You love challenges Amy, well here are several specially prepared just for you. Children are mesmerized by my white skin and smile with intense curiosity. Most men and women greet me and kindly say hello, but a few men here and there gawk at me like I’m a pork chop for their pleasure. In Chicago, I always felt like a teeny tiny minnow in a really huge pond because there are so many strangers among you. It’s easy to walk down the street and have absolutely no one even glance in your direction. However, here, I feel like the large whale in the pond that everyone is stopping to check out because it’s just impossible to miss. Thankfully though, I feel very looked after. Richard, one of the administrators at the college, showed me around town this morning and again reassured me of how important my safety is to them. I’m being well taken care of, but that slight twinge of anxiety is still festering inside of me. Simply walking out of my apartment here is a challenge loaded with thrills, so looks like I’ve gotten what I asked for!