Student Spotlight: Brooklyn Washington in Ghana

What’s one challenge you’ve already encountered? How are you navigating it so far?

“During my internship in Ghana, a challenge I encountered was overcoming my fear of asking questions to the hospital's doctors and staff. I addressed this by preparing thoughtful questions in advance, which helped me become more confident in my interactions. It also helped me gain deeper insights on the healthcare systems and procedures.”

What differences (or unexpected similarities) have you noticed between your culture and your host culture?

“In Ghanaian culture, the people are very welcoming. Ghana has the best hospitality, and the people love building and maintaining connections. The people are very outgoing, and polite. During meal times, it is common to hear "you're invited", when people will allow someone to join in on their meals. In America, it is considered rude to be tardy. In Ghana, people are more flexible with their time. "Ghana Time", "Ghana Maybe Time", or "Ghana Man Time" are common terms to excuse someone's tardiness.”

Have you stepped outside of your comfort zone yet? What did that feel like?

“I stepped outside of my comfort zone by learning how to dance salsa, bachata, and kizomba at Afrikiko. Which is a local restaurant, where every night there is a different activity for people to socialize. In the beginning, I was nervous to mess up and dance with new people. By the end of the night, I started to get the hang of the steps and dance moves. It was so much fun, and I definitely went back several more times for Wednesday night dancing.”