Tell the World

Yes, it has been almost a busy month since I last posted. Somehow my scheduled exploded with events and meetings. I am excited to say that quite a few of those have been with The University of Georgia Office of International Education.

It so funny how when you meet other people have been abroad their face kind of lights up about it and you become instant bffs for that period of time. Even if the person did not have the best of time the accomplishment of having traveled out of the country means something. This is exactly the type of interaction I had my Study Abroad Peer Adviser meeting.

The Study Abroad Peer Adviser Program, essentially, is a way for students who have been abroad to help the OIE spread the word and help other students who are in the process of wanting to go abroad. For example, Peer Advisors participate in the annual Study and Travel Abroad Fair and other OIE panel discussions and programs.

At the meeting I attended, I met four other advisers and the program coordinator. We played a name game, talked about our experiences, signed up for events, and went over some general guidelines.

After the meeting, everyone kind of hung around to chat and share, even though we had already been together for 90 minutes. Specifically, *Tina and I talked for a little while about homestays because the next time I go abroad I want to stay with locals. I feel as though this would further my cultural exploration in a very special way.

Aside: I found out about "Coach Surfers." It is, basically how it sounds (crashing with people you have just met for free, in the US or abroad). I am not sure if, as a 120lb female, I am that adventurous, but it sounds like fun.

Like I said, there is a special connection between people who have gone abroad, and there is a very special feeling that comes along with that. It simply makes you want to tell the world where you've been, what you've done, and when you're going to do it again.

E-mails from Ghana

I mentioned meeting a female student in Cape Coast who was my age and very cool in a past blog/journal entry. As I said we exchanged information, and sometime last week she e-mailed me. I was so excited. I felt like sometimes I would be giving my e-mail out in vain because even if there is Internet access available (which in the cities it pretty much is), I don't expect anyone to make e-mailing me top priority over living their day-to-day.

In any event though Maame e-mailed me. She reintroduced herself in the e-mail and hoped that I was well. I told her that I certainly had not forgotten her, asked what she had been up to, and gave her this blog address. She has not responded back yet. Hopefully, I will hear from her by the end of this week.

Another contact I made I began to e-mail shortly after my return. We e-mailed back and forth a few times, the usual 'how are yous.'

I have to admit, it's like elementary school. Pen pals were really big when I was in elementary school. The only thing that makes my e-mails even more exciting though, is that they are connected to real memories, real stories, and real people that have made an impression on my life.