I really had no idea what to expect-it was my first international travel experience and probably could have gone either way. At the end of it, I’m so glad we decided to go through uVolunteer. I don’t think my first real travel experience could have gone any better. 
Program Volunteer Ghana
Project: Volunteer in the National Parks and Reserves of Ghana
In a short time, we were able to have the tourist experience here as well as learn what it is like to live and work as Ghanaians, all the while feeling safe and enjoying ourselves.
As a high school graduation present, my uncle (Jeff) offered to take me anywhere in the world. The location was up to me, and the only requirement was that we had to do a volunteer project. Initially, I was on the edge about the whole volunteer thing. I had never done anything like it and was worried that it would be all work and no fun. 
Ghanaians are extremely friendly and want to interact with “Obruneys.” I even arm wrestled one of them in a meat market.
Eventually though, I decided that the opportunity to go anywhere I want doesn’t come up often and it would be a waste to deny it, so I accepted his offer, not having a good idea of what lay in store. All I knew was that I wanted to go somewhere in Africa.
My uncle spearheaded the research phase of our trip, and it soon became clear that the uVolunteer program in Ghana was the best fit for our price and time range. We were able to get a date that fit both of our busy schedules and we would not have to wait for a project leader to fill all the available slots before the trip could begin.
I really had no idea what to expect-it was my first international travel experience and probably could have gone either way. I could have had a great time or an awful time. At the end of it, I’m so glad we decided to go through uVolunteer. I don’t think my first real travel experience could have gone any better.
Our introduction to Ghanaian culture was comprehensive. We were kept very busy in our first few days doing whatever it is that Ghanaians do, and we had a great time doing it. From Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, we had gone out drinking on multiple occasions, explored the bustling marketplace of Koforidua, sampled several of the local delicacies, and hiked to the beautiful Boti Falls and surrounding areas. We quickly felt at home in Ghana and were welcomed into their lifestyle. Ghanaians are extremely friendly and want to interact with “Obruneys.” I even arm wrestled one of them in a meat market. That was one of the highlights of my trip.
Our project was environmental conservation at Shai Hills Resource Reserve. On our first day, the park manager, Mr. Moses, gave us a comprehensive introduction to Shai Hills and its position in the Ghanaian political structure. He also explained to us that we had come at an exciting time because the Reserve is about to begin significant renovations. We felt very excited to be a part of something this big and were eager to help out however we could.
Though we had initially thought we would be doing manual labor, it turned out that we could be of much more use working on the computer and utilizing skills that many Ghanaians do not have. I took on the project of redesigning and rewriting the information board in the reception area to make it more tourist-friendly. My uncle helped to organize park data into spreadsheets. The work we did was important to the park and it would last long after we had left, so we were more than happy to be doing it.
The pace of work was not rigorous, and at no point did we feel overworked. During our eight days in the park, aside from completing our projects, we were able to go on several tours within the park, see some of the beautiful animals that are here, and sit-in on two separate meetings between the park manager and leaders of the local communities. I am convinced that we would not have been able to do any of these things anywhere else, and they were unique experiences that will become fond memories.
We stayed in a dorm-like facility with several of the park staff and their families. The people could not have been more hospitable, and we got to know most of them well. We had wanted to experience life as the Ghanaians do, and I feel like we absolutely were able to do this in our homestay. On several occasions, we went to the local spot and had a drink with the workers who were also our neighbors. We got to know the shopkeeper as well and became regular customers at her stall. By the end of our project, we had developed a comfortable daily routine that provided us with a good feel for how Ghanaians live and was relaxing as well. It was everything we had wanted out of a volunteer project.
Over the weekend, we were able to take a small side-trip to Cape Coast, where we visited the castles at Elmina and Cape Coast, as well as Kakum Park and the nearby monkey sanctuary.
In conclusion, our time with uVolunteer in Ghana was everything I had wanted and more. In a short time, we were able to have the tourist experience here as well as learn what it is like to live and work as Ghanaians, all the while feeling safe and enjoying ourselves. I could not have asked for a better first international trip.
Tate Besougloff
