Though he could have finished up his undergraduate career in the air conditioned rooms of the Edward J. Meeman Journalism Building, University of Memphis senior John Graubman wanted to "go out with a bang."
He's currently living in a hostel surrounded by barbed wire and security guards in Ghana.
"It's alright living here," said journalism major Graubman. "(There's) no air conditioning and no hot showers, but you don't need one after walking so much all day. And you can't drink the water, as it has too much bad stuff in it so every day you only drink bottled water or (water packaged in plastic bags)."
Graubman, scheduled to graduate this summer, is a member of the International Exchange Student Program at The U of M studying at the University of Ghana's Legon campus. When he decided last semester that he wanted to study abroad, he said he had a difficult time deciding where to go.
"I thought about going to Scotland or Australia or maybe the UK or China," Graubman said, "but none of it seemed like it called out to me, like it would be somewhere where I could make a difference."
When he came across the opportunity to study in Ghana, he talked to Rebecca Laumann, assistant director of international programs study abroad, who helped him make up his mind.
"After hearing so much about it, I was convinced that I was going," Graubman said. "And here I am."
Graubman has been studying in Ghana for three weeks and said the classroom experience there is not what he expected.
"Many of the classes haven't had professors show up yet as the Ghanaian time is on a different, more laid back schedule," he said. "Students usually show up two weeks or so after classes have supposedly started."
"Classes are different as well, as we only go to school once a week per class," he continued. "So I'm in class roughly 10 hours out of the week total, and the rest of the time is my own time."
Because of classes being cancelled and an illness that struck him shortly after arriving at the University, he said he has only been able to attend two of his courses — acting and ethics.
Acting, his favorite of the two, is held outside on a small, wooden, dust-covered stage, Graubman said.
"It is fun to interact with the Ghanaian students and see how their acting is different from ours," he said. "Ethics was just a long and boring lecture, hence me dropping it, in a warm and barely fanned classroom."
Laumann said students who show an ability to adapt to different environments and cultures are usually a good fit for placement in Ghana, although some may not acclimate as well.
"Studying abroad in Ghana isn't for everyone," she said. "However, it is an excellent choice for students who are interested in experiencing life in a developing country."
According to Laumann, Ghana is a particularly excellent location to study because of its people's hospitality and the wide variety of courses available to students are taught in English.
But it takes some work to be able to study abroad.
Graubman said he had to fill out several applications and checklists, file for a Visa and passport and receive immunizations, which kept him busy for a good part of the fall semester.
As for financial aid and scholarships, Graubman said it's just like going to The U of M.
"All I had to do is get a plane ticket to Ghana, and then I'd be basically paying the same price," he said.
Graubman received a scholarship through the International Student Office and also received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which comes with an artistic obligation: creating a series of painting and sculptures that represent his experiences in Africa.
"I (will) tour the collection through the Mid-South in hopes of inspiring students to want to study abroad in Africa," he said.
If he were to sell a piece, all proceeds would go to the formation of a foundation that will distribute scholarships to those who wish to study abroad in Africa, Graubman said.
Students interested in spending a semester in Ghana must be in good academic standing, have a grade point average of at least 2.5 and schedule an appointment at the Study Abroad Office.
Associate history professor and Chair of the Ghana Studies Council, Dennis Laumann, will lead a group of students for a three-week program to learn about Ghanian history, politics, cultures, religion and more.
The schedule will include visits to the palace of the king of the Asante, the coastal forts where the slave trade was conducted, the last home of W.E.B. Du Bois and a monkey sanctuary.
"In short," Mr. Laumann said, "the trip is a wonderful opportunity to learn about African history and culture and to experience another part of the world."
But for those who can't actually go to Ghana, Graubman said anyone is welcome to keep up with his African experiences on his blog at www.johnblogman.com.
