How do I answer the inevitable? How do I answer the questions, “How was Ghana?” “How was Peru?” This is the question that has been plaguing me for a while now. The questions are simple, only 3 words. But the answers, damn the answers. They carry a lot of weight, they aren’t simple. They are complicated, full of joy and pain and everything in between.
I want to be honest about my experiences during my 6 months in the world. But how honest is too honest? There is this perception that traveling is all exciting and rosy. I must have had the time of my life. It must have just been so incredible. Do I smile and say that it was? Or do I say that parts of it were incredible and other parts of it were hell?
It’s hard because I don’t want to paint the wrong picture. I spent 6 months living in developing countries. Peru, Ghana, and a crazy little weekend trip to Togo. I don’t want to discourage people from studying abroad or traveling to Ghana. I certainly do not regret my decision to do so and I appreciate the experience but I have no plans to ever go back. I will come back to Peru, the Inca trail is calling my name, but the experience was also an extremely challenging one.
My 6 months in the world started when I boarded a plane headed to Accra, Ghana on January 26th. I had no idea what the next four months would entail but with one of my best friends by my side, I felt ready to take on whatever came my way.
I hadn’t planned on studying abroad in Ghana. I’d originally applied to go to Sweden but after a mid-semester crisis, I decided that I needed a change of pace. A big change of pace, like spending 4 months in West Africa. My friend Liv had already applied to go to Ghana so I thought I might as well go too, and that’s how I ended up on that plane.
So how was Ghana? It was the most challenging 4 months of my life. 4 months of being uncomfortable every single day. The culture shock was monumental and honestly I never fully got past it. Ghana is a beautiful country, it’s vibrant and full of life and love. However, my experiences as a foreign woman were so difficult and in the end played a defining role in my experience. I am glad that I chose Ghana over Sweden and I appreciate the experience as a whole but it’s a complicated appreciation. One filled with lessons learned the hard way, lessons a person shouldn’t have to learn.
Despite the hardships, I had some incredible opportunities and experiences in Ghana. I met some really amazing people. I got to test my limits on a 6-hour hike in the mountains. I helped to facilitate an environmental outreach program in a school. I fed monkeys, did a canopy walk, tried new foods, slept on the beach and so much more.
And Peru? This was my AIESEC exchange. Something that I’d been looking forward to since I joined the organization. I went to Cajamarca to work on SDG #5, Gender Equality. AIESEC exchanges are all about leadership development, they are supposed to be challenging. Mine definitely was, just not necessarily for the right reasons. Below average living conditions, a week of being really sick, and a Local Committee in the midst of being disbanded made for a bit of a bumpy ride.
However, as with Ghana, I had some amazing experiences. I saw the Pacific ocean, visited countless archeological sites, and hiked through the mountains. I got to work with some beautiful individuals from around the world and spend every day with some pretty cute little kids.
The other day I was hit with the thought, ‘Was it all worth it?’ Was leaving Eau Claire, my absolute favorite place in the world, for 8 months so I could travel worth everything I missed out on? I called a friend who also did a study abroad then AIESEC exchange combo to get some perspective. Sticking with the being honest trend here, I cried for the majority of that call. At that time, I was so overwhelmed by everything that has happened in the last few months coupled with all the ‘What ifs’ of not being in EC.
My friend told me exactly what I knew he would say, that it was all worth it even though I was having trouble seeing it. And he’s absolutely right. It will probably take a little bit for me to fully grasp my 6 months in the world. To fully understand the impact, how they have changed me, and what I have learned. There are a few things however that I know for sure.
- I’m hella solution oriented. This is one of our AIESEC values and something that I have become very good at over the course of my time in Ghana and Peru. From coming up with an extremely fast shower routine to limited ingredient cooking to figuring out what one can use as toilet paper (traveling I tell ya, nothing but glamorous), I’ve been pretty creative over the last 6 months.
- I can handle a lot. Traveling, especially in developing countries, throws a lot of curve balls at you. I’ve been through so much in the last 6 months but I’ve kept going. It hasn’t always been pretty. In the past 6 months so many tears have been shed, so many desperate phone calls home to my best friends and can’t sleep because of xyz 2am texts. Which brings me to my next point.
- I have the very best people in the entire world. I knew that before this crazy adventure started but it would just be wrong of me not to acknowledge their role in my time abroad. The friends I made while traveling are amazing. They’ve been there for me through the highs and lows of Ghana and Peru. They’ve taught me so much and have been the very best part of this whole journey. My friends from home can’t be left out. Checking in on me. Always answering the phone. Making time to video chat. Words can’t begin to explain how excited I am to see them all again. They are my stars, no matter where I am in the world, they’re right there to guide me and light up the dark. The love and support that I have received over the past 6 months has meant everything to me. Y’all know who you are and I love you more than I could ever explain.
- The Sustainable Development Goals. ARE RELEVANT. ARE IMPORTANT. ARE SOMETHING I HAVE BECOME EVEN MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT (and I’m an AIESECer so I was already passionate about them). If you don’t know what the SDGs are you can check out this blog post or visit https://youth4globalgoals.org/
- Traveling is a part of my life that is here to stay. The past 6 months may have been hard but I’ve been chasing the world since my first time abroad 3 years ago and I’m not about to stop now. I want a life that is full of adventure and culture. I want to go everywhere, see everything. I am definitely taking a breather from long-term international travel but I won’t rule it out in the future. As for upcoming travel plans (surprise surprise, I have some!), I’m attending an AIESEC conference in Portugal at the end of October and I couldn’t be more excited!
It’s hard to believe that this chapter is coming to a close. I remember leaving Eau Claire 8 months ago. I had spent my last night at a friend’s house and bawled my eyes out when I was dropped me off at my dorm in the morning. I love my city so much and couldn’t imagine leaving for 8 months. I had no idea what was in store for me and I was scared. Now, just like that, I’m coming home. It’s been a hell of an adventure, one I feel so fortunate to have had but I’m ready for new adventures. More lowkey ones, like wine nights on my roof, coffee shops, really good breakfast foods, bike rides, best friends, and a little trip to Portugal thrown in😉
One of my favorite travel quotes ever is, “Traveling can be running away if you want it to be. But sometimes it can empower you to go home instead.” ~Erin Sullivan (from the blog Erin Outdoors) That’s how I feel about these 6 months abroad. I feel more empowered than ever to just go home and live. To feel alive in my favorite place with my favorite people. I’ve spent 6 months doing big bold things around the world. I’m going to keep doing the big bold things, this time at home. I could not be more excited or ready for the next 6 months of adventures!
Have you ever been on a crazy, long, travel adventure? Tell me about it!
Hugs,
Elisabeth
