To see the world the way the locals see it is to truly be a traveler. As college students, we have a unique opportunity to go abroad. Post-graduation, these opportunities may not arise as often, so it’s important for us to take them while we can. Many students opt for traveling to popular locations such as London, Paris or Munich. While these are wonderful cities to experience, I would urge students to try to travel to unfamiliar destinations, places that do not have 20 websites detailing the top 50 tourist hot spots.
Last spring, I was presented with the opportunity to travel to Ghana with one of my Kelley School of Business classes. We split our time between the capital city of Accra and Cape Coast. I still remember walking out of the airport and looking around the beautiful city of Accra, knowing that I would be the first of my friends and family to experience it. Throughout my trip, I made sure to take in as much as I could about the culture, people, food and sites, excited to relay my experience to loved ones back home—after all, it would be their first time hearing anything about it. This gave me a sense of responsibility to the people of Ghana. I wanted to make sure that I was getting an authentic experience while in their country.
It was easier to do this than I had expected. Since Ghana is not overflowing with tourists, there weren’t any tourist traps to avoid—only authentic, local restaurants, businesses and attractions. We found ourselves at an outdoor bar where the locals taught us their dances; in a woodcarver’s market learning how to barter; at a fishmonger’s house, where we learned how their unique economy worked.
Seeing cultures organically is not only eye-opening,but also the best way to truly observe locals in their natural, everyday state. When traveling to a country like Ghana, the history and culture becomes quite evident. In Accra, we quickly noticed how many women of the household made money. They would either sell produce and fish at small markets, or they would sell a wide variety of products by placing them in containers, balancing them on their heads and walking in between the traffic on the roads. Being able to experience this firsthand gave us a better idea of what a regular day in their lives was like. If more college students begin to travel off the beaten path, they will inevitably learn and grow from each other’s experiences. When they go to these places, they each gain a unique perspective on a different pocket of the world. Sharing what they have learned with each other will only help educate them on what the world has to offer.
In order to be citizens of the world, it is our duty to go out and indulge in all that it has to offer. There are endless cultures and experiences waiting to be discovered. All we have to do is take the plunge.
Last spring, I was presented with the opportunity to travel to Ghana with one of my Kelley School of Business classes. We split our time between the capital city of Accra and Cape Coast. I still remember walking out of the airport and looking around the beautiful city of Accra, knowing that I would be the first of my friends and family to experience it. Throughout my trip, I made sure to take in as much as I could about the culture, people, food and sites, excited to relay my experience to loved ones back home—after all, it would be their first time hearing anything about it. This gave me a sense of responsibility to the people of Ghana. I wanted to make sure that I was getting an authentic experience while in their country.
It was easier to do this than I had expected. Since Ghana is not overflowing with tourists, there weren’t any tourist traps to avoid—only authentic, local restaurants, businesses and attractions. We found ourselves at an outdoor bar where the locals taught us their dances; in a woodcarver’s market learning how to barter; at a fishmonger’s house, where we learned how their unique economy worked.
Seeing cultures organically is not only eye-opening,but also the best way to truly observe locals in their natural, everyday state. When traveling to a country like Ghana, the history and culture becomes quite evident. In Accra, we quickly noticed how many women of the household made money. They would either sell produce and fish at small markets, or they would sell a wide variety of products by placing them in containers, balancing them on their heads and walking in between the traffic on the roads. Being able to experience this firsthand gave us a better idea of what a regular day in their lives was like. If more college students begin to travel off the beaten path, they will inevitably learn and grow from each other’s experiences. When they go to these places, they each gain a unique perspective on a different pocket of the world. Sharing what they have learned with each other will only help educate them on what the world has to offer.
In order to be citizens of the world, it is our duty to go out and indulge in all that it has to offer. There are endless cultures and experiences waiting to be discovered. All we have to do is take the plunge.