Hello!
Well here I am in Ghana! So crazy. It's so surreal to think that I'm finally here. There was so much build up and yet it was never really real to me that I was moving to AFRICA. It's definitely real now :-) The flights here were fine and the one from Detroit to Amsterdam was AMAZING! I had three seats all to myself so I was able to stretch out and lie down. It was pretty awesome. I had some minor trouble in customs but was able to get into the country without being sent back to the States, thank the Lord!
Anyway, I'm staying here with a young married couple, Jonathan and Amy, and they are so nice. Another new teacher will also be staying here with them and I'm so excited to see her! A familiar face! On Sunday I'll be meeting up with Jon Andereck and am SUPER excited about that! He's been here in Ghana for a few weeks volunteering at a clinic and I can't wait to hear about it. It will also be awesome to see a familiar friend! Can't wait.
Okay, that's enough for now. The weather here is good today. It's rainy season so it's not too hot yet! I already have two bumps that might be bug bites so pray that #1 it's not malaria, #2 it doesn't make me sick in general.
I miss the States already! The weirdest part is not being able to be in constant contact, i.e. phone, Internet, you know.
Elyse :-)
31 July 2008
02 July 2008
Greetings!
Hello! Welcome :-)
Alright, so here begins my attempt at a blog. For those of you who are not too crazy about these things don't worry, I still fully plan on sending out weekly/monthly e-mails with basically all the same information.
So, first installment:
Here I sit writing from PFO (Pre-Field Orientation) in Southaven, Mississippi. I've been here for the past almost two weeks attempting to get ready for my transition to Ghana! We've been learning about our TCK (Third Culture Kid) students, how to make an easier transition to the mission field, how to teach ESL in our classes, how to teach from a Christian perspective, etc. The list goes on and on. What does TCK mean, you ask? Well:
TCK isn't about the kid growing up in a third-world country. Instead, their "first culture" is their passport country, their "second culture" is where they are currently living, and their "third culture" is the sense of belonging in relationship to others of similar experiences. Yeah, it's a bit confusing but the important part to know is that the third culture is not a place, rather a group of people.
In addition to attending all the different sessions, I have gotten to meet some of the other teachers going to/already teaching in Ghana!!! Hanging out and getting to know them has (by FAR) been the best part! AND, I finally know where I'm living over there! I'll be in the house with 5 other girls and I'm SO excited! I'll have my own bedroom and bathroom, which is pretty sweet. Yes, there is electricity, water, Internet, and American appliances.
Okay, well I think that's enough for now. Leave comments if you want and have a great day! I'll put some pictures up here once I get home and have a decent connection.
:-)
Alright, so here begins my attempt at a blog. For those of you who are not too crazy about these things don't worry, I still fully plan on sending out weekly/monthly e-mails with basically all the same information.
So, first installment:
Here I sit writing from PFO (Pre-Field Orientation) in Southaven, Mississippi. I've been here for the past almost two weeks attempting to get ready for my transition to Ghana! We've been learning about our TCK (Third Culture Kid) students, how to make an easier transition to the mission field, how to teach ESL in our classes, how to teach from a Christian perspective, etc. The list goes on and on. What does TCK mean, you ask? Well:
An individual who, having spent a significant part of the developmental years in
a culture other than the parents' culture, develops a sense of relationship to
all of the cultures while not having full ownership in any. Elements from
each culture are incorporated into the life experience, but the sense of
belonging is in relationship to others of similar experience.
TCK isn't about the kid growing up in a third-world country. Instead, their "first culture" is their passport country, their "second culture" is where they are currently living, and their "third culture" is the sense of belonging in relationship to others of similar experiences. Yeah, it's a bit confusing but the important part to know is that the third culture is not a place, rather a group of people.
In addition to attending all the different sessions, I have gotten to meet some of the other teachers going to/already teaching in Ghana!!! Hanging out and getting to know them has (by FAR) been the best part! AND, I finally know where I'm living over there! I'll be in the house with 5 other girls and I'm SO excited! I'll have my own bedroom and bathroom, which is pretty sweet. Yes, there is electricity, water, Internet, and American appliances.
Okay, well I think that's enough for now. Leave comments if you want and have a great day! I'll put some pictures up here once I get home and have a decent connection.
:-)
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