I write these blogposts, I jsut forget to post them!!

Here's a blog post I wrote about 2 months ago loL

Everyday my class starts off with my academic director asking us about “Life in this Ghana,” and today, I’m happy to say I’m having a stellar day. Last night, I was eating dinner with my homestay family in Kumasi and the two-and a half year old was being naughty. His mom, my homestay sis, told him that she would smack him if he didn’t behave and he stood up on his chair and yelled back in Twi that he would smack her right back if she did. I think I was the most amused by the situation… my host sister wasn’t really. lol
Twi is one of the local language spoken by most Ghanians. I’ve learned how to introduce myself, barter, and a few children’s songs. Bartering is important here especially when you’re clearly a foreigner. Taxi drivers are the worst. The first days I was in accra, I paid five cedis (about $3.50) for a cab ride that should have be 50 pesaws (30 cents). But I gotta give the taxi drivers props. They are the most skilled drivers I have ever seen. If the car is 50 inches wide, they’ll fit through a path that is 50 inches wide. When I was on the way home from the world cup game, the cab driver made his own lane and squeezed between two cars by rolling in his rear view mirrors. Ghanians give a new meaning to ‘compact cars.’ When I first started taking taxis and tro tros here, I would always grab nervously for the seatbelt only to find that there was none. The one time I found a seatbelt, I got really excited for nothing. I reached my hand down and realized that the buckle was missing. But it’s okay though because I have more faith in the Ghanian drivers now.
I have several names in this country. My Ghanian name is Ama since I’m a Saturday born, and to random passerbyers on the street I’m either “Obruni,” which means Westerner or White person or “China.” People rarely call me by my given name except in class. Aside from nicknames, people have the most hilarious pick-up lines here. One of my friends got proposed to and when she asked why, he said he liked her skin color. Oh and I can’t forget, “You have beautiful eyeballs.”

Hello Accra!

Hey everyone!!

I arrived safely 2 days ago, and it's been crazy busy ever since. Everyone here is so friendly and beautiful. The country is amazing and I'm already in love. Today, we learned a bit of the language, Twi and we also learned some traditional dancing and drumming. It doesn't feel like class at all! Yesterday, I went to the markets, and bought 5 yards of beautifulll fabrics. I'm going to try to run to the seamstresses today to get an African dress with my own twist. I only have 2 minutes remaining on my internet cafe computer, so I have to run. Thanks so much for all your support, and I'm sorry if I couldn't say goodbye to you before I left!!

More updates to come soon!

Santa Monica Beach, CA: Preparations for the BIG Trip

This is my last week before I leave for Africa, and things are busy busy busy!

Next Sunday, I will be heading over to Accra, Ghana, which is located on the coast of West Africa. During my three months in Ghana, I'll be doing lots of new and exciting things!

1. Classes and research:
My research focuses on how seamstresses in impoverished communities can better utilize microfinance and the web to develop sustainable incomes by selling their products online. I'm really excited for this opportunity because it's a chance to learn about international development in the context of an emerging nation.
Through the classes, I'll learn all about the rich artistic heritage of Ghana and learn a local dialect called Twi. :)

2. Fashion Show Work:
I'll be working on my Ghana line to be shown in my Spring 2010 fashion show when I return! This will be A LOT of fun since I'll be able to

3. Trying new and outrageous things, and of course having fun! (;

4. Getting mail from YOU:

Grace Choi
c/o SIT Study Abroad Ghana
Institute of African Studies (Affiliate)
University of Ghana
P.O. Box 73
Legon, Ghana

This week I'll be spending a lot of time with friends and family in LA, so holla if you're in the city. Right now, I'm at Panera next to the pier tying up loose ends to prep for the 2010 Culturally Fashion Forward show. Once I'm done, I get to go chill on the beach and relax (: Better get to work then eh?