Over the past month, small yet consistent challenges have accumulated to cause exhaustion at times, frustration, and even wishes to return to the states. Mainly issues with food, reliable WiFi, and missing loved ones have made it difficult for me to enjoy studying abroad at times. At a workshop, my program revisited the idea of comfort zones, stretching zones, and panic zones to check in on how we were doing. We were supposed to say which of the three zones we were in and why. I explained that it felt as though I had been in the stretching zone for too long and had not found the right balance of comfort and stretching.
I did not expect the transition period to last as long as it did, which has been over a month. However, when I did find myself frustrated during the tough moments, I did not fight my feelings. Rather, I gave myself the time and space to sit with that frustration. Also, when asked how I was, I responded as honestly as I could with phrases like “I’m hangin’ in there” or “I’m okay” because they captured that “stuck in the stretching zone” feeling. By doing so, I did fight the unspoken expectation—which I’ve noticed both at the University of Ghana and at Hamilton—to respond to questions that ask me how I am doing with bubbly and quick responses. I did not try to hide or work through my feelings of discomfort as fast as possible. Instead, I accepted that being uncomfortable did not reflect badly on me, CIEE, or even Ghana. Rather, it was simply the reality of my situation, proving that it truly requires work to find a balance of comfort and stretching while abroad.
To do the work of finding a balance, I have accepted the things I can control while accepting the things that I cannot. For example, soon after I noticed that I could not eat much of the food here, I began preparing my own meals. I started off simply boiling yams and, most recently, I successfully made big pots of beef stew and mixed vegetables. My mom and sister have given me instructions through texts, allowing me to accomplish one of my general life goals: learn how to cook! I also know that the WiFi is strongest in a computer lab in the International House that’s open during the day. I have started doing most of my work during that time. In addition, I spend hours on FaceTime everyday. I’m thankful that the WiFi connection is strong enough for me to stay connected to loved ones in the states. Finally, I remind myself that I am getting what I came to Ghana for: an education from an Afrocentric perspective. My classes have been one of the best parts of this trip so far.
Overall, even though I have been stuck in the stretching zone, I am developing the flexibility needed to travel the world.