Final thoughts

I came into Tufts-in-Ghana with cookie-cutter ideas about the personal growth I would have. “I’ll see the world from a different perspective, learn to navigate cultural differences and figure out how much to change myself for a new culture.” All that has been true, for sure. I’ve learned that life in Ghana is not that different from life in the United States or elsewhere at the fundamental level. Evaluating Ghanaian “success” or “development” within a U.S. framework gives a false picture of the needs and strengths of the country. The greatest effort you can make to learn a culture is to relentlessly befriend people. Once you grant yourself trust and patience, it is possible to navigate almost any cultural challenge. Hiccups like minimal WiFi availability, frequent power outages and failing water supply aren’t that serious. I also have a new appreciation for the experience of international students at Tufts -- living in another culture is exhausting!

But the growth and change I have seen in myself has been entirely beyond what I expected. The most significant growth has been in how I perceive myself and how I relate to others. I do not think of myself as a leader or even a very good communicator, but in my time here I have realized that other people DO see me as those things. How I view myself is the most important factor to my self-confidence, but recognizing that I am much harsher in my self-perception has allowed me to have more genuine, meaningful, anxiety-free relationships. Even my body image has changed, which I also hope I can maintain when I get home. I don’t need to have Michelle Obama arms to feel attractive? I can go a few days without vegetables without dying? I’ve spent so much time working to look like a string bean that I didn’t realize that embracing my natural shape could be more satisfying and appealing, to myself and to others.

I have also improved at embracing opportunities with spontaneous joy, especially if they push my boundaries. At the beginning of the semester, almost all of my Tufts peers were planning on signing up for a traditional dance class. I didn’t even consider it because I was stuck on the idea that I couldn’t dance. On a whim I tried it out during the shopping period -- and it has since been my favorite class here. I still can’t dance (that’s my one remaining goal, to become at least basically competent), but I can now be bad AND still have fun.

On the flip side, I more consciously seize chances to relax as well. I almost never nap, read or listen to music at Tufts; here it is part of my routine. I had also never fully appreciated how fulfilling it is to just BE with people, to spend hours talking about nothing. Only on occasion -- mostly during finals period, when Dewick becomes the space to procrastinate -- did I find that kind of peace at Tufts.

I’m a little sad, actually, that I’m spending another semester abroad, if only because I’m eager to find out how my time at Tufts will be different after being here! In the spring I am headed to Germany. It’s almost the polar opposite of Ghana, and I’m trying to go in with no expectations. As I have seen in my time here, it is the change and learning you do not expect that may be the most meaningful!