MADS

In preparing for our adventure journey to Grand Bassam, I was faced with a lot of thinking and dreaming. How do we prepare ourselves for this event. We are each and one of us different in our unique way. Individually, we all have a suitcase ready to bring with us, each packed and stored differntly. When it opens up in October,we will all draw advantage of this through mutual understanding and respect of the different "items" brought to light through each of us.

Speaking for myself, I'm starting to finally realize that I am actually going to Africa for real, and how fortunate I am to be a part of this pioneer experience. We have waited a long time for this, and now the time for departure is almost here. The final boarding call is around the corner. Let us all find our seats and buckle up.

I feel that I am fully prepared practically. I have gotten all my required shots, some here but also some during my stay in Norway this summer. I saved a lot of money doing it there, since my insurrance will not cover my injections of vital fluid here in Bellingham. My Malaria pills are ready to be absorbed, along with the three different kinds of anti-diarrea medications as well. What is left is to buy some more suitable clothing, and other important things to bring, such as a moneybelt.

I have read books about West-Africa and I have started to prepare myself for the course of studies we will be doing in Grand Bassam. I can't explain in words how excited I am about the courses, especially the work I will be doing with Joanne. Sometimes, I have to ask myself if it's really true that I will experience this. Now, I know that I will, and I am sure I will gain so much and learn so much more.

To prepare oneselves mentally about our stay in Africa is a harder one. We have heard different things about the situation in the country, and we feel that "Oh yeah, that will be no problem for me at all" Here is where the root to a problem may lie. It doesn't matter how much we read or hear about, what is waiting us there when we come. We all need to get there and see it with our own eyes. Then we can say that the difference in culture is really there, and maybe that what we expected or thought it to be, really didn't show to be true. We will all experience culture shock, believe me, whether we claim we have travelled around the world, and whether we are from the US, Japan or Norway.

Nevertheless, having expectations is important, and a open mind will always help. Be open and show your SMILE. Enjoy, Explore and Absorb. When our return to the US comes, our suitcase will be loaded with treaures and hopes.

© WCC African Study Project