What inspired you to work for Anansi Travels?
When the founder of Anansi Travels told me about the main goal of the organization - to teach students to become global citizens - I knew that this was the new kind of exchange organization that needs to be promoted further in the United States, because it will promote self-development among youth. I wanted to be a part of Anansi Travels to help them reach their goal.
This is me learning a Ghanaian dance from some students at a school we were working with on a program.
Describe a typical day at work.
I typically edit and write content as needed, as well as create the graphic images and visual emails, run the company social media, and coordinate the student ambassadors who advertise in their schools for Anansi Travels.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
My international experiences have solidified my belief that we, as individuals, need to learn how to interact with and appreciate all kinds of cultures in order to truly understand, appreciate, and function effectively within our own. I use my experience to help me communicate this importance effectively in the advertising and article-writing that I do for Anansi Travels.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Be confident, and know that people are kind. Just trust yourself and everything will work out. It doesn't hurt to be consciously aware of your surroundings and how you're affecting them.
What makes Anansi Travels special?
Anansi Travels works to give high school students the best study abroad experience possible by giving them not only cultural immersion experiences but also by involving them in the community. These community involvement projects allow students to interact with every aspect of the culture, and not just the parts you would see at the tourist sites; as well as create meaningful relationships with those living in the host country.
Why should someone choose Anansi Travels over competitors?
Anansi Travels is employed by people who really care about their students and giving them the best experience possible. We really want to help students develop global citizenship and ambassador skills, and help them fall in love with another culture! Our team is what will make the difference in your study abroad experience.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope students will come away from this program absolutely in love with Ghanaian culture. I hope students will know how to communicate the beauty of Ghana to those they interact with when they return home, and that they will be inspired to seek out more international experiences in the future. I hope they can see the change that has been promoted in themselves and communicate that to others.
This is me getting to know Copenhagen!
How do you help support participants?
I seek to not only be a support for participants by being available in all settings where I am needed; whether that be helping at the airport, leading them through an unfamiliar cultural setting, or helping them through cultural shock or otherwise emotionally difficult situations when needed. I can provide guidance in regards to any cultural situation they have concerns about and help bring them to a better understanding of the culture we are interacting with.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Today's world requires international interactions on many levels; whether they be business or personal interactions. How can we thrive in these environments? Exposing ourselves to international experiences at every chance we have is important because it exposes us to different perspectives, modes of thought, and ways of living that influence interactions. This exposure is necessary for us to be competent members of our ever-increasingly global society.
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
Languages shape the way we think. By learning a new language, how it is structured, and what types of descriptive words are used, a language-learner is better able to understand the way that the subject culture thinks! This helps make their perspectives and interactions more understandable and we can relate to the culture better. We also are forced to interact with the culture on a deeper level, and it gives us a connection to that culture that we never lose.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
I have only one thing to say: You will never regret going abroad. You will always learn about new perspectives, form relationships, and learn more about yourself. Putting yourself out there and going abroad will never be a bad experience.
This is one of my favorite places in Berlin; where I've been living and doing an internship since September.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is more than sightseeing and getting the perfect photos. It's more than gelato and the beach, beautiful buildings and cobblestones. Meaningful travel includes meaningful social interaction. I don't feel anyone can fully get a feel of the area's culture they traveled to without getting to know the people who grew up there.
What does ethical global engagement mean to you?
I think it is important to distinguish the difference between "volun-tourism" and the "white savior" complex,
and travelling to the culture in question with the intent of engaging with the culture. These two complexes are inherently unethical and self-entitled, but we are still able to interact with the culture in meaningful ways through community involvement and service, as long as our sole purpose in interacting isn't to "save" the other. As long as we engage in the environment and culture in a way where we are truly coming to participate in the culture and we want to have a meaningful interaction, we can interact in an educated, ethical way.
What hopes do you have for the future of international education?
I hope that in the future of international education, organizations will teach students global citizenship skills and give the students opportunities to use these skills in the host countries. Students need real experiences being ambassadors for their home country as well as their host country.