Home

 

Getting Experience

- # of # Filtered -

A Cross-Cultural Co-Op In West Africa

Q&A with May-Lynne: Interned in Ghana
Share this
Print this
May-Lynne
Interned in Ghana
University of Waterloo
Her thoughts on The International Workplace
I wanted to work at a small organization because it's the best way to get a lot of responsibility and the most field work. A lot of larger organizations offered administrative desk jobs, but I knew I wanted to be in the field.
Her thoughts on Cultural Differences
While Ghana is very professional and is becoming more developed, many cultural factors (like religion and household seniority) play major factors in the workplace.
Her thoughts on Cultural Differences
As a woman, if I wanted to help out with carrying things or running an errand, an unwilling male would be encouraged to instead.
Her thoughts on The Right Attitude
Don't be afraid! Don't feel left out. Don't be a foreigner. Learn the language. Be a local.
Her thoughts on The Right Attitude
Entering another country means you must adjust to their way or living, not the other way around.

Where did you intern abroad?

I interned in Ghana, West Africa from January to May. I did a placement with a small organization focused on microfinance. In my university career thus far I've focused on art, business, economics and international trade.

What made you want to intern abroad?

I am in a co-op program geared towards helping students decide what they want to do after graduation. I decided coming into this program that I didn't want to have the same kind of placement twice. I wanted to try different positions every term. After working at a private ECM (Enterprise Content Management) company, a public government office and at the University of Waterloo, I really wanted to test my capabilities, both professionally and personally. I wanted to travel and experience what it's like to work in another country on a project that I'm passionate about: economic development.

How did you conduct your search? What made you select your program/company?

I did everything from calling international companies to simply looking at connections on LinkedIn. I sent several emails, made many phone calls, and had several conversations about positions and opportunities abroad. I met so many people in the process who had such great advice. After doing a little bit of research, I decided I wanted to work for a small Ghanaian microfinance company run for the local people, by the local people. Microfinance is within my study scope (economics), and I wanted to work at a small organization because it's the best way to get a lot of responsibility and the most field work. A lot of larger organizations offered administrative desk jobs, but I knew I wanted to be in the field.

What was the biggest surprise about your intern experience abroad?

The biggest surprise about my intern experience was the massive difference in work practices between Canada and Ghana. While Ghana is very professional and is becoming more developed, many cultural factors (like religion and household seniority) play major factors in the workplace. Even though there was a lot I could say or do to improve processes at work, if an elder disagreed with me, there were no questions. If I wanted to help out with carrying things or running an errand, an unwilling male would be encouraged to do it instead.

Did you participate in extra-curricular or social activities while interning abroad? If so, how did they differ from social activities in your home culture?

I met several other people my age while in Ghana. I ended up making a very close group of friends who had an even bigger network of people. We traveled all over Ghana on weekends and took trips to all the must-see places. We went to local bars and restaurants, enjoyed the beaches, took drum lessons, and supported a lot of local businesses. We visited each other's internships and made very close meaningful ties with many people. I even picked up tutoring during the week and fundraised for a school in the slums of Ghana. The social activities varied the most in that I was so free and encouraged to do whatever I wanted and go wherever I wanted. Being a foreigner and coming into Ghana is scary; but once you're there, you realize that the people of Ghana are happy to host visitors; people who not only go to the touristy places, but the very local, less fancy places. I felt comfortable hopping on a bus, unsure of where I was going or where I was staying. There were always incredibly hospitable people who were willing to point me in the right direction. I became really comfortable doing things on my own and always felt very confident that I would be okay.

How did you deal with the cultural divide during your internship?

It is incredibly important to keep a very open mind no matter what. Entering another country means you must adjust to their way or living, not the other way around. Some things may seem rude or unacceptable, but consider the fact that maybe it's normal to your hosts. Some people may seem overly friendly, but that may just be their culture. I had to ensure I was never too quick to judge. I also needed to be willing to pick up on their language; they love it when foreigners know the local tongue! The cultural divide begins to disappear if you simply dive right in. Immerse yourself into their language, cuisine, music, practices, hobbies, clothing, etc.

What was the most important thing you learned about communicating in a foreign culture?

Don't be afraid! Don't feel left out. Don't be a foreigner. Learn the language. Be a local.

What is your number one tip for anyone hoping to follow in your footsteps?

DO IT! Travel now while you have the energy, the motivation and the time. Whether you go by yourself or with a friend, you're guaranteed to have the experience of a lifetime. How many people do you know your age that just pick up and go? Don't you envy them? It was an overnight decision for me to go to international for my co-op job. I'd never traveled without my family, but within a few months I was packed and flying off to West Africa by myself -- to be greeted by just one known contact. You will meet people. You will make friends. You will have the time of your life.

What did you miss most about home?

What I missed most about home was the food! Of course I missed my family and friends -- just like anyone else would, but I never thought I would miss food so much! I had food there, but it was just so different. There were not many vegetables, and most food was very starchy. Nobody believes me when I say this, but I went to Ghana, West Africa for five months and gained 20 pounds! The food there is so good. Fruits and veggies are hard to come by and the fried starchy foods are ready to be served on any street corner! Don't get me wrong, the food in Ghana is very delicious and satisfying, but I missed the freshness and variety that I have at home. Plus, the gym was crazy expensive and it was too hot to go running so I literally watched myself grow! After the first month, I had to accept it!

What are your future plans for going abroad and for your career?

As a graduating student, one would think I have all my plans sorted out. But the truth is that I don't. All I know is that there's the perfect job out there for me to fill and there's a world out there that I want to see. There are cultures to emerge myself in, music to hear, dances to dance, food to taste and people to meet! I don't want to be old and wonder what's out there. Whether I do it for leisure or for work, I will be going abroad. Ideally, I'll find a career that I love that will help me do this (getting paid to travel seems too good to be true), but if my career can't take me there, my own two feet will! This may not be the ideal answer, but it's the straight truth!

Advice from MyWorldAbroad
Jean-Marc Hachey, Publisher

May-Lynne's plans for her future aren't well-defined as yet, but she has a great perspective, and is aware of how best to professionalize an experience abroad. For those who want to spend time abroad but have not make specific career choices, we highly recommend taking an English teaching term abroad in Asia or South America. These positions allow you to earn money, build language skills, soak up local culture and -- if you have an entrepreneurial spirit -- network and pick up side contracts in your industry of choice. Since she has not yet determined a specific career path, May-Lynne could also consider taking a working vacation to travel and taking on casual jobs to support herself. "Low-skill" jobs in the service industry or being an au pair are great ways to fund a working vacation. As May-Lynne says, getting paid to travel may be too good to be true, but it's certainly possible to earn money abroad.

May-Lynne's Next Steps
Advice from MyWorldAbroad
by the founder of MyWorldAbroad
Jean-Marc Hachey
Want to Have the Same Experience?
Want to Have the Same Experience?
9746
- # of # Filtered -
  • 102
102
10923
Insight And Education In Korea
1
16392
Building International Career Skills Online
2
16320
Independent, International, Virtual! A UN Internship Online
3
16382
Making the Most of Lockdown with a Virtual Internship
4
16312
Virtual Internship for a Cross-cultural Future
5
16157
Zoom Zoom! A Virtual Internship with Central America
6
9775
A Year Of Feeling French
7
10153
China, South Africa And Beyond!
8
9776
Soaking Up Japanese Culture
9
9764
Do It Yourself! A Proactive Intern in Rome
10
15631
An International Career in the Making: Asia, Africa and Beyond
11
15405
From Daydream to Reality: Teaching Abroad
12
15401
From Korea to Oman: Teaching English Around the World!
13
9761
Communicating Creatively In Spain
14
9773
Independent In India
15
9791
Making Contacts Count In The UK
16
9740
Sports, Study And Fun In France
17
9743
Hooked On Volunteering!
18
16316
Exploring the Sights, Sounds & Tastes of Mexico City
19
16387
An Epic Internship in Malaysia
20
9756
Springtime In Spain
21
9763
A Professional Visit To Vietnam
22
9780
A Year In Marvelous Mexico!
23
9751
A Canadian Globe-Trotter Visits The US
24
9768
Going Solo In Spain!
25
10188
Now Or Never In Colombia
26
9792
Rolling With The Punches In Seoul
27
9745
An Unforgettable Adventure In Nanjing
28
9774
Gaga For Ghana!
29
9783
Off The Beaten Path In Africa
30
9755
People, Places And Passionate Volunteering In Peru
31
9778
Study And Adventure In New Zealand
32
9777
Into The Wild In Alaska
33
9754
Building Memories In India
34
9750
Host Hospitality In Morocco
35
9747
Fun And Friends In The Netherlands
36
9748
Adventure In The Alps
37
9786
Kids And Culture In Korea
38
9772
Learning To Go With The Flow In France
39
9762
American Freshman In London
40
9771
Learning To Love London
41
9742
Take-Charge Travel: Germany And Beyond!
42
9746
A Cross-Cultural Co-Op In West Africa
43
9760
Getting In Sync In Nairobi
44
9759
From Cold Feet To Confidence In Germany
45
9779
One Summer, Two Internships!
46
9785
Motivated In Madagascar
47
9741
Adapting to Work In Peru
48
9784
Skill-building in Bonn
49
9753
A Season in Sweden
50
9765
Simpatico in Florence
51
9782
Making The Most Of Milano
52
9737
Passionate About Panama
53
9766
Short-Term Trips For Long-Term Gain
54
9781
A Hospital Helper In Costa Rica
55
9789
Loving Life In Lyon
56
9790
Design And Dining In Korea
57
9770
Contributing To Change In Ghana
58
9757
Teaching And Learning In Tanzania
59
9738
Living For The Moment In Valencia
60
9767
Beyond The Call Of Duty In Africa
61
16174
An Empowering Virtual Internship in Nicaragua
62
9744
Food, Fun And Festivals In Germany
63
16161
A Bright & Friendly Cross-cultural Workspace
64
16017
A Globally-minded Visit to Qatar
65
10204
Across Europe In A Caravan!
66
9758
Learning The Local Ways Of Addis Ababa
67
11645
A Love Affair with Shanghai
68
11996
Daring to Go Solo in Ireland
69
12058
Architectural Adventures in Australia
70
11845
Hospitality and Hosting in the DCR
71
15333
A Literary Education in the UK
72
14088
An Eye-opening Experience Teaching in South Korea
73
14483
Finding Home, By Teaching Abroad
74
14594
Growing Abroad: Hong Kong & South Korea
75
15347
12 Months, 12 Countries!
76
15383
Hustle and Bustle in Vietnam
77
15327
An Open Mind & Open Arms in Spain
78
15387
Bliss on a Budget in Brazil
79
15644
Discovering the World on Campus: International Skills at Home
80
11467
Stepping Outside the Box in Sweden!
81
9752
Giving In Guatemala
82
9769
Getting Sporty In Switzerland!
83
9788
Business And Pleasure In Australia
84
9787
A Spring Semester in London
85
9807
Fast Friendship in Korea
86
11557
Un stage au Cambodge (Français)
87
10230
Getting Caffeinated In Bolivia
88
11468
Learning While Teaching in Beijing
89
10145
Real Stories And Real People In Mexico
90
9803
Ten Years Teaching In Seoul
91
10851
Tips From Tasmania
92
9799
Getting Settled In Seoul
93
10258
Encountering Cultures Across Europe
94
10218
Adaptation And Appreciation In Japan
95
9812
Caring And Career Skills In Belize
96
10157
Changing Course In China
97
11850
The Warmest Welcome in Guatemala
98
11904
Enthusiasm, Education and Experience in Greece
99
10163
English Teaching In Eastern Europe
100
10192
Out And About In Paris
101
10143
A Warm Welcome In Mexico
102
9746
All Job Boards
452
All NGOs
1427
Au Pair Resources
39
Awards & Grants Resources
64
Business Directories
21
Canadian Federal, Provincial & Territorial Government Profiles
60
Canadian Government Resources
31
Children And Families Abroad
5
Consulting, Economics & Finance Job Boards
61
Cross-cultural Skills
123
Engineering Job Boards
62
Engineering Resources
81
Expatriate Networking Sites
29
Foreign Students Working in the US
9
Freelancing Abroad
33
General Job Search Books
16
Global Education & Social Action
65
Health & Medicine Job Boards
51
Health Career Resources
72
International Associations with Clubs on Campus
43
International Development Career Resources
87
International Internship Organizations
312
International Internships & Student Programs with Canadian Governments
35
International Internships with the US Government
38
International Job-hunting Resources
16
International Law Careers Resources
115
International Law Job Boards
28
International Studies in the US & Canada
13
International Trade Resources
25
International Volunteer Organizations
488
Internship Directories & Advice
53
Internships with the UN & Other IGOs
160
Language Careers
32
Learn a Language
115
Licensed Teacher Abroad Job Boards
35
Licensed Teacher Abroad Resources
39
Loans for Studying Abroad
18
Low-cost Travel
72
NGO Directories
33
NGO Job Boards
49
Regional Job Boards
107
Relocating Abroad
7
Resources for International Students Studying in Canada
31
Resources for International Students Studying in the US
48
Stories From Abroad
102
Study Abroad Resources
203
Teach English Abroad Job Boards
100
Teach English Abroad Resources
76
Tools for Travelers
91
Top International Blogs & Podcasts
85
Travel Guides
101
Travel Health & Safety
55
UN & Other IGOs
271
UN & Other IGOs Job Boards
27
UN & Other IGOs Resources
74
US Government Profiles
76
US Government Resources
47
Virtual International Internship Organizations
93
Volunteer Job Boards & Advice
65
Working Holiday Resources
78