Campus Tour

Felicia, Acacia and I decided to go around campus taking some pictures so I thought it would be nice to show everyone what the University looks like (when it’s deserted at least).

There’s one main road that most of the building are off of, but they branch off into sections like Performing Arts, Sciences, Humanities, etc. It’s not extremely big, but it feels bigger than UCSB since I don’t have my bike or skateboard to quickly get across campus/IV. Luckily most of my classes are in the same general area.

Most of the buildings look relatively old and dilapidated, but at the same time very elegant. The grandeur of some of the residence halls and lecture buildings as you pass them makes you feel a sense of aged wisdom in the walls.

It’s very green! The vegetation is actually fairly recognizable and reminds me more so of Minnesota in some regards. There are trees, flowers, and other plants everywhere you go and it really is beautiful to look at when you’re not rushing to get out of the heat of the tropical sun.

I think one of the saddest parts for me that I’ve seen in the lack of sustainable infrastructure. Recycling seems non-existent across campus and in the halls and I even happened upon the secret trash-burning area discretely hidden behind a field of tall grass while running one day. Still, I see signs like the one above that make me smile because at least it exemplifies some type of conservation ethic and earthly stewardship.

More info to come about the actual academics here once classes actually get going!!!

SEND ME THINGS!

Here is my address if you want to send me anything!!! I would love love love to hear from anyone and as much as goodies are appreciated, the mailing rates are absurd for packages.

Letters/Postcards:
Marjan Riazi
UC-EAP
PO Box LG 356
University of Ghana
Legon, Ghana

Packages:
Marjan Riazi
UC-EAP Study Centre
PO Box LG 356
University of Ghana
Legon, Ghana
International Programmes Building
First Floor, Right Wing
Tel: 0302-500147

Elmina Castle Reflection

I really felt the need to write about my experience at Elmina Castle more in depth than my other posts. We went there this past weekend and it was definitely a moving and very powerful trip.

I had no idea that this castle and even Ghana had such a huge role in slavery, thus again proving more and more of my ignorance and lack of historical knowledge of the place I chose to live in for half a year. Apparently the Portugese had set up Elmina Castle as their trading post in the 15th century. From there, all of the other European powers joined in. The Portugese began trading slaves and essentially started the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. It wasn't until the early 19th century when the Dutch, who had come to control the castle, abolished the slave trade in their colonies.

I vaguely remember learning about the slave trade in school when I was much younger, but it was always taught as simply another topic in history and that's definitely how I had always perceived it. It wasn't until I was actually in Elmina, standing in the very cells these people were forced to live and die in that I finally was able to better understand what slavery actually meant.

African people were separated from their loved ones and divided by gender. They were crammed into cells and cages with little ventilation or sunlight. They were given only enough food and water to stay alive. Because of this, they could barely even stand or move to the side of the cell designated for human waste. They ended up just eating, sleeping, living, and excreting all in the same few cramped feet of space they had until they were either marched in chains to the boats or died.

For those that made it to the boats, they were chained in pairs and jammed into rows in order to fit as many slaves as possible per trip. During the trip across the Atlantic, many died, became ill, went into labor, and much more, all while still being chained to another human being. Rarely did any of the European traders monitor or tend to the slaves below the deck so they would be forced to remain chained to the ill or dead for the entirety of the journey.

I think it's safe to assume that we all know what happened if they made it to land alive, but it was this aspect of slavery, the conditions before even being sold, that I had never properly conceptualized until now.

Our education system censors history when we teach it to young students and we allow them to grow up in a world still dictated by racial tensions of the past. Clearly we've come a long way since the 1400s, but it is obvious by the prejudice, parochialism, distortion and censorship that we see in our media and society today that tells us we still have a long way to go.

I can only hope that we as a race continue to progress through the years and finally recognize that the color of someone's skin is by n o means a justification for treating them any differently than anyone else, nor is their religion, orientation, gender identity, or socio-economic status.

All Moved In!

I’m officially moved into my permanent room in the International Student Hostel. The rooms are seriously HUGE. Probably twice the size of my room in San Nic Freshman year and we have a ton of furniture so I’m stoked about it. I unpacked and decorated and have finally started feeling like this is my new home. Just wanted to show a few quick pics of my bed, desk, and balcony!!

Central Trip Region

This past weekend we took a trip to the central region where we made our first stop at Kakum National Park for the Canopy Walkway. It was SO COOL!!! We were up almost above all the trees walking on a wobbly and tiny path, but it was definitely one of the most amazing experiences ever!

After the fun part of the day though we moved on to a more somber location. We headed to Elmina Castle, which is recognized as one of the key trade posts that started the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. It was so powerful and eery to be inside of this castle and even be locked in some of the slave cells. Look for a post specifically about that later on today.

Orientation

Last week was so busy and jam-packed with a crazy amount of educational, cultural, and social activities. It’s been amazing and so eye opening and I’m not sure if anything I write will even come close to describing what everything has felt or looked like.

We’ve been taking a few classes here and there while learning the local language (Twi) and about different cultural/historical aspects of Ghana. One of the highlights was definitely the traditional dance class!

We also went on a 3-day trip to Kumasi, the cultural capital of Ghana, where we had the opportunity to bargain with locals at a few markets, make our own custom kente cloths with traditional Adinkra symbols, visit the Manhyia Palace (where past kings have lived) and Lake Bosomtwe.

This week we had International Student Orientation with all of the other foreigners. Course Registration is the hot topic of the day/week and let’s just say it is one of the most frustrating, stressful, and inefficient processes I’ve ever been through, but it’s all part of the experience!! Everything is done by hand and you have to physically go to each department building to register for courses. Here I gooooo

Amsterdam

This is strictly a post for Andy, AJ, and Cyp. You know what it means. Since my flights were all messed up and I ended up having a layover in Amsterdam, I couldn’t resist. I’ll have you know that I went through 2 additional security checks just to take this picture!!! Luckily I had 7 hours in the airport so I wasn’t too worried about it.

PS: Let’s go back together.

I'm alive!

Hello World!

I haven't been on the internet once since I've been here because there isn't much access and orientation has just been insanely packed, but I just wanted to quickly drop in and let you all know that I did finally make it safely to Ghana and am loving it (for the most part).

The culture is so rich and I already feel like I've learned more in one week than I would taking a single class at UCSB. It's funny and sad to also meet other students and see how ignorant some of them really are. I shouldn't say funny, but some people are just really stupid and all I can do is laugh rather than get frustrated by their unconscious racism.

I'm not going to go on for too long because I just don't have much time left on the internet, but I would like to reflect on one very important thing: appreciation/gratitude. In just one week, I've already recognized how much more privileged I am than I had ever thought before. I have learned to appreciate so many seemingly simple things like toilet paper, hot water, electricity, transportation, clean water, milk, and so much more. I think this experience is going to be really good for me in that regard because it is really forcing me to reevaluate a lot of my life and materialistic tendencies.

I'll try to get back on here at some point in the near future, but now I need to go pack for tomorrow's trip to Kumasi! Hope everyone is still having a wonderful summer :)