I mean STUDYING abroad. I'm looking into studying abroad next semester. My only requirement is kind of a douchebag requirement but they have to speak English because it's all I know. So far I'm thinking Guam, Lund Sweden (23 min from Malmo), and Ghana Africa.
They all have their pros and cons obviously and I feel compelled to go to Ghana just so that I can get involved in some of the volunteer work there. However Lund would be neat because I could hop on a train and go to Germany, Denmark, etc..
Anyone have any input that could help me make the decision easier?
Can't speak for Sweden or Guam but I did live in Ghana for three years. Not much of a developed sailing area. (although a very nice coast). I would say Ghana is largely safe but I would not trust the Ivory Coast nor Togo (don't know about Benin) but I certainly would not venture to Nigeria. Further West is Liberia and Sierra Leone (wouldn't trust), Guinea (absolutely not), a few others (maybe) Senegal (parts etc).
So unless you can find a sailboat in Ghana, (Accra, the capital is on the coast) you would be stuck bringing one down which, I would think is not for the faint of heart. There are a few ports (Takoradi in the west and one near Accra, called Tema) but these are commercial/fishing ports. I hear there is a recreational spot for boaters at the mouth of the Volta river (near the Togo border).
Having said that, If I were to spend a few years in Ghana again I would look at sailing but I would head offshore if I were leaving for other countries. Alternatively you could look into a daysailor or even a hobie (that would be nice).
Lots to do in Ghana and the University Campus at Legon is beautiful (although run down). In the 50s and 60s it was one of the happening universities with the emergence of African Nationhood.
To volunteer is not a problem as Ghana is currently a flavour of the month with the development community.
__________________
Mark
Currently in Georgetown, Guyana,...wishing the boat was too!
Let me try this again...
Miss Sweden is on the right...Miss Germany, Spain and Greece are but a train ride away...and they love the water!! And you want to volunteer where??????????
If you like scuba diving Guam is your place. More variety of corals than hawaii. Sailing will all be open sea. Weather is perfect-year round. Even better is Saipan to the north. Cost of living is very reasonable. Bring flip-flops, shorts, and any accessories you use with them.
__________________
“Scientists are people who build the Brooklyn Bridge and then buy it.” Wm. F. Buckley, Jr.
Currently, Cam has the most persuasive argument so far... I'd say Sweden too...
__________________
Sailingdog Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
If you're new to the Sailnet Forums... please read this POST.
Kana,
Both Cam and Waymar are giving excellent advice here. I dated a Swedish girl in college. She taught me to say "Jag alskar de," or something like that. Very "open-minded" when it comes to certain activities.
