What you've all been waiting for: Part 2 of 2.

(Sorry, this one isn't very exciting...)

The University of Ghana campus is enormous, and just a tad overwhelming to say the least. I think initially this will be a different experience for those who come from large universities, say UW or Illinois. But believe it or not, this entire campus is even bigger than that of the University of Wisconsin. So many buildings, and thousands upon thousands of people. It will take some getting used to, but in three and a half months I'm hoping to have everything figured out…

Today we started to register for classes. In general, it was a complete mess and a very frustrating and stressful day.

Here's the process:

In order to register for a class, we have to go to each building- for example Psychology or Geography- and physically check what classes are being offered (as they were not the same ones that were listed in the course handbook). And mind you, there are A LOT of departments, and a countless number of classes offered. From there, we fill out forms, and register for whatever class it is we're interested in. However, there's a catch. No times or locations were posted as of Friday. So, you might be thinking, "how can we sign up for classes when we don't know the times?" Well, the University obviously wasn't thinking of this when they created such an ingenious registration process! So, we are simply told to register for classes, and then check to see if the times are posted on Sunday, the day before classes begin. If they are STILL not up, (which they weren't), then we're just supposed to check Monday, the day classes begin, before 7:30 in the morning. But guess what? They still not might be up. (And most of them weren't, as of Monday at 4:30 in the afternoon…)

So, as of now I've signed up for a few classes and will eventually have to drop some of them. Fortunately, I'm pretty sure I know what I'll want to take, assuming my schedule works out. Right now I really want to take a Children's Literature class. It looks amazing, and the course description was very inviting. Throughout the semester we'll learn about the transition from oral folklore to the written stories that are found throughout Ghana today. We'll also read many children's stories, and at the end of the semester we even write our own. I'm actually really looking forward to it. Though I'm sure this will change, I plan on taking two more elective courses (ones I get to choose).I'm hoping to take a course on U.S. policy towards Africa (which will definitely be interesting to learn about, from the 'African' perspective), and a course entitled "Social Work in Schools." I don't know if I'll get credit for the latter, but I feel it will be beneficial either way.

Twi, the language of the Akan people, is one (language) class I am required to take. The Akans amount for the majority of the people of Ghana, as does their language, Twi (which is actually divided into three dialects). Although English is the national language of Ghana, I feel everyone, or at least those on and around campus, as well as in Accra, speak more Twi than English. Needless to say, I don't understand most of what I hear as I pass by Ghanaians every day. Come on Twi class, I need you to start! (Thankfully, it does tomorrow.)

In the beginning of September I'll be starting an internship at a primary school near Accra. From what I've been told, I'll be something like a "teacher's assistant," but often times that means I'll be left to lead daily lessons. I'm not sure how I feel about this right now, but it's safe to say I'm pretty nervous. It will be a great experience nonetheless, and I look forward to bringing what I know and have learned about U.S. schools into the Ghanaian school. And of course I can't wait to bring home and share with everyone all that I learn here. I'm not sure if these kids, or schools, will be as great as Harry Spence or Lindbergh Elementary… but I guess we'll have to wait and see

Until next time…