So a intense but wonderful week has passed in Ghana. We arrived to Cape Coast just in time for the Fetu Afahye Festival, which means we’ve experienced way more of the Ghanian culture than I thought we would have by now.

There’s around 30 of us studying Global Environmental Management. 30 individuals from different parts of Scandinavia and Ghana, with very different backgrounds, both academically and personally. Some’s been studying for years while others been working or traveling.

We spent the first week at the study centre at beautiful Brenu beach just getting to know each other and getting to know Ghana. There’s been information on tropical diseases, how to do the special Ghanian handshake and also today we had our first environmental lecture with Mr. Esia-Donkoh. There’s been a lot of interesting discussions already.

On friday we had our welcome party and I think everyone was kind of surprised the way it turned out. I didn’t really know what to expect when we left in the bus from Nana Bema (where we live) but I sure did not expect that we all would end up dancing at a Gas station with hundreds and hundreds of locals for hours. It was amazing. Although I wish we would have had tonights dance lesson before the party… I’ve realised Sweden is far behind Ghana when it comes to rhythm and moving..

Due to late night dancing we were all kind of tired on Saturday and mostly enjoyed the festival in town, watching the parade with the chiefs of the surrounding communities and all the beautiful costumes. A few people went out dancing on Saturday too but I went to bed really early since a few of us were leaving to Busua, a beach town about two hours from Cape Coast, at four in the morning to still our surf abstinence. It was all one big adventure, jungle trekking, lots of surfing, slack lining, eating 1000 bananas and playing around on the beach with the local kids. We’ll probably end up going there as often as we can. It was just one of those days that were absolutely perfect. Actually, most days has been like that since we arrived here. It’s just those small things or moments that has made me fall in love with this place. Like the fact that I already have this amazing lady at the market from who I buy all my fruit, or the fact that there’s music playing everywhere, leading to people dancing everywhere. Cape Coast is such a beautiful, colourful and alive city, as well as it feels like everyone know and appreciate one another.

I think we’re all very happy calling this our home for the next few months. I can’t freaking wait.Elin