On My Journey to Find My Way: 20 hours away from home

I felt lost in a foreign land. Everything was different—even the air felt thicker than what I was used to back home. Surprisingly, it seemed better here; it carried a sense of calm, serenity, and comfort. Perhaps I lost my senses, but there are three things I know for certain about this place: it’s very cold, the people are incredibly nice, and there are trees everywhere.

Let me take you back to where it all began:

Once upon a time, lost in a foreign land…

That morning, I woke up bright and early with worry and excitement swirling within me. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around what lay ahead, but I knew today marked a significant step in my life—the kind I had always hoped and prayed for.

I set off with my small family, hopping on a bus from Kumasi. Little did we know we’d be waiting nearly two hours just to get our tickets—all because it’s an election year in Ghana, and a political party had snatched most of the buses for their rally. Who knew politics could turn into a ticket thief? Despite the delay, I felt surprisingly calm, bursting with joy like I had just won the lottery.

Finally, we arrived in Accra, and I realized I had less than three hours to reach my next destination. No time to waste! We quickly chatted with a few distant relatives—after all, family is important, right?—before zooming off. After navigating through all the necessary steps, I finally boarded the plane. There it was: the moment I had been waiting for! I was traveling by air from Ghana to Carleton College in Northfield.

The flight took approximately 20 hours, and as we cruised through the clouds, I embraced the adventure ahead, knowing I was not just traveling through the sky but also embarking on a life-changing experience. Each moment, each connection, and each revelation was a step toward the future I had always dreamed of.

Upon landing in Minneapolis, I maneuvered my way through the St. Paul Minneapolis Airport with the help of friendly faces. They guided me in locating my baggage and finding my college’s orientation spot. There, I met many students who were in the same boat as me. While they looked just as new, they didn’t seem lost; most were immersed in conversation in their native languages—I noticed quite a few were speaking Chinese. There were more Chinese students at Carleton than I had expected.

Just as I was lost in thought, the ISL bus arrived to take us away.

Two weeks now…

It’s been almost two weeks since I arrived, and so much has happened. I’ve acknowledged my vulnerability, shedding tears over my fears, yet I’ve also experienced the joy of discovering my strength.

Meeting new people hasn’t been easy for me lately. I’ve just started my classes, and it feels like a whirlwind of experiences. There’s so much to say about this new chapter in my life, from the food to the cultural shock that hits me every day. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of stories to share in my upcoming blogs.

So far, my journey has had its ups and downs. Some days are smooth, filled with laughter and new connections, while others feel overwhelming like I’m lost in a sea of unfamiliar faces and customs. It’s so easy to feel small and out of place, but the largest part of it all depends on you.

But even in the toughest moments, I hold onto hope. I remind myself that this is all part of the adventure. I’m learning and growing, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. I know that eventually, I’ll find my way and build a life here, filled with friendships and experiences that will shape who I am. Each day is a step toward that goal, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.

As a small eighteen-year-old girl navigating this foreign land in the name of college, I hold onto the hope that one day, if not now, I will find my way.

Agnes (she/her) comes from Ghana. While it might seem like a faraway land, the strong sense of community, the incredibly kind people, and the enormous number of trees at Carleton make her feel at home. Her love for science stems from her fascination with nature, as science finds an interesting way to explain the natural world. She is a member of the FOCUS Program.  When she’s not writing, dancing, or singing behind closed doors, you can probably find her engaged in conversation somewhere. She likes to spend time researching medical school and life beyond; that should tell you about her great interest in pre-med. While she continues to explore her interests, she has discovered a great interest for Biology, Chemistry, and CAMS classes at Carleton.a