Espana for the day...in exactly one week!

Well, in exactly one week I'll be sitting in Madrid, Spain for seven hours waiting for my next flight to Accra, the capital of Ghana. This week has been a little crazy with moving and trying to see all of my Madison friends before leaving but for the most part it has been great. I'll miss Madison and can't believe that I'll be moving away from it for the longest period of time since freshman year, I'll especially miss football season and this video that opens each game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T5fEtBZsvQ ...it gets me every time! However, I know I'm in for the time of my life and cannot wait to experience a lifestyle so very different than my own.

I know many of you may not know exactly what I'll be doing in Ghana so here's some more information.
I'm going to be studying abroad in Ghana for roughly 4.5 months where I will attend school at the University of Ghana and work at an internship. I'm planning to live with a host family to ensure that I get the best and most in-depth experience. I know some people have fears about my safety and I would like to point out that if I live with a host family someone is going to notice when the loud, non-stop talking, laughing, white girl doesn't come home at night (I'm sure all of those characteristics are news to all of you haha).
My classes will revolve around Developmental Studies which is the study of development efforts and what is working and what hasn't. I believe that our country needs to be better educated about second and third world countries and we need to realize that throwing money at the problems will not make them go away. We need to help others help themselves. Many times I have been harassed a bit for choosing to help others instead of our people in our own country, I understand this point of view and have actually considered this myself many times. However, when I look at the state of even our most underprivileged people and their life is still exponentially better than someone in a third country, I find it hard to turn a blind eye.
I'm also very excited to be studying there this fall because their presidential elections also fall in the next few months, as a political science & international studies major this is one of the most exciting times to be in a country!

Finally, I would just like to share with you all a poem that was on one of the going away cards I received this week. It describes something I truly believe about what makes a successful life and all of these things are something I hope to achieve: "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." 
by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Greetings all,

This little blog here will be one of my main ways of updating everyone on my upcoming adventure in Legon, Ghana which is in West Africa (see map below). I am leaving August 2nd so I am super busy with preparation tasks, setting up time to see everyone before I leave, vaccines, and doctor check-ups. My internet access will not be as readily available nor speedy as it is here but you can add me on Skype (tera.holtz) or e-mail me (just call me and ask for my email address!).

To subscribe to my blog and get emails when I update it just put your email address in the box to the right.

Thanks everyone for your support and I can't wait to share my adventure with you all!

Map of Africa with Ghana in red: