Akwaaba (Hello)!
My name is Natalie Sarubbi and I am from Rochester, NY. I
graduated last year with a degree in Marketing and plan to pursue my Masters in
non-profit management or international development. It has been so much fun
getting to know everyone from the West Coast. Our group has a very diverse set
of personalities, yet we all get along so well with one another. Our nightly
dinners inevitably end with us deep in discussion about various life topics and
the things we feel passionate about. It is nice to be with a group of people
who respect each others’ differences as well as our similarities.
Adapting to Ghana and its culture has been incredibly
interesting and fun. I was surprised to find out that apparently I am the one
with the weakest stomach! Luckily, my few bouts of sickness have been very
short-lived and I am up and working again in no time. Asuansi farm is a
beautiful place to live, but our weekend excursions have given us the
opportunity to see more of Ghana and even enjoy a shower. Although I have to
say that living in a place where you have to carry and fill up your own buckets
of water really makes you realize how wasteful we are. Generally speaking,
Ghanaians are very nice and welcoming- although we do have to fight off the
occasional marriage proposal.
I decided I wanted my research to focus on the impact
Western culture has had on Ghanaian society, and more specifically, how
Ghanaians feel about our culture in relation to their own. Ghana is very much a
religious country (the vast majority are Christian) and plays a major role in
most every family and community. Having said that, it has been interesting to
read through my surveys of high school students because a large percentage of
them have stated that what they do not like about our culture is our acceptance
of homosexuality. Ghanaians generally seem to love Obama, but since his recent
decision to support gay marriage it is clear that it has become a hot topic
amongst a culture that does not condone homosexuality. They do, however, tend
to like our entertainment and generally find Americans to be friendly and
helpful people. So far the biggest surprise in my research has been that if
given a significant amount of money, the vast majority would spend it on their
education; not cars, clothes, and other things we might expect many people in
the U.S. to spend it on.
I can’t believe we have less than two weeks left already! I
really have no idea where the time went. Probably mostly due to the fact that
almost no one here owns a watch or goes by any set schedule- contrary to our way
of life back home. I wish I had more time to spend here, but I am excited to
make the most out of the time we have left and am grateful for the time I have
had. So far my experience has been wonderful, and I have no doubt that it will
continue to be.
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