Hi, I'm Lauren, a 2014 Anthropology/Sociology graduate. I took many classes with Joss all throughout my time at Saint Mike's and have been waiting a long time for this trip to happen. Traveling abroad is not new to me, but I'm so excited to explore a new culture that I spent so many semesters studying. I am so thankful to have been given this opportunity, especially as an alumni. Today's the day we head off and I could not be more ready!

Hello Everyone!

I'm Ben Zelvis. I'm going to be a Senior at St. Michael's and I'm working on an Environmental Studies major. Cooking and hiking are my favorite hobbies, I also like to ski and longboard every now and then. I grew up playing classical cello and joined Akoma this year to enhance my percussion abilities.

I found the ensemble to be extremely fun and jumped on board the trip to Ghana once I heard about it. I've never been immersed in another culture before, being that I've only travelled in the US, Canada and the Caribbean, so I'm looking forward to the experience.

Once I started drumming I knew I wanted to explore it further, so I'm ecstatic to be able to study it in context of Ghanian culture.

Introduction - Nate

Hey y'all,

I'm Nate. I'm a rising senior here at St. Mikes with a Music major and Business minor. I'm from that part of Massachusetts people forget about (yes, western Mass is a thing.) More specifically I'm from Adams (this is Northern Berkshire County which means a part of western Mass that people forget about even more.) My first experience with Joss was when I took her music ensemble for non-majors course (yes, I'm aware I'm a Music major) and have continued onto being a part of the Akoma ensemble.

I'm very excited about going on this trip for a lot of reasons. When I first attended the meeting last year I had recently switched my major to Music and was riding high on taking my life into my hands. Initially, I had planned to take a semester abroad during Fall 2014 but decided to withdraw my application in order to attend this trip that was far more interesting and valuable to my major. When the trip was initially cancelled I was determined to work as hard as possible to make going to Ghana a reality. After all of the sacrifice I am ready to take off in less than a week!

Introduction- Meaghan

Hi!

I'm Meaghan Diffenderfer, and I'm wrapping up my junior year here at SMC. I am a Music and International Relations double major and Theatre minor hailing from northeast Ohio. I began studying with Joss when I took the Music of Ghana class in Fall 2013, and have been involved with the drumming ensembles every semester since.

I am excited to embark on this journey and see what books and videos can't show me; what life and living through music in Ghana is truly like. This trip is a perfect opportunity for me to combine both of my majors, and anticipate that I will grow as a student and human. I have just about everything I need purchased (packing is another story), and the excitement is beginning to kick in... I can hardly wait!

Introduction Dylan

Hello,

My Name is Dylan Ward
I'm a junior Anthropology major from Bellows Falls, VT who will be going to Ghana in 7 days =)

I heard about the trip last year when I went to an informational meeting sort of on a whim, and since the first moment I had a really good feeling about it.

I'm not really particularly concerned about anything, I'm just ready to get the stressful travel preparation stuff out of the way and get on that plane =)

We are days away from our journey, and while there is still much to be done, I think we are so ready! The group will travel from May 11-29, so stay tuned for student introductions and then updates and photos once we've arrived.  Thanks for reading!

A second "St. Michaels in Ghana" trip is in the works!

5 St. Michael's students will be making the journey to the Dagbe Cultural Institute and Arts Center this coming May (2015) to study the music, dance, song, and other traditional forms of art and expression.  We are lucky to have an SMC Alumni, Brian Dukehart, as our co-leader this year, who brings knowledge of both undergraduate college life and concerns and an established relationship with the Dagbe staff and personnel from his own multiple trips in past years.

Our initial trip was supposed to go during the winter break between fall and spring semesters this past year, but concerns about the Ebola outbreaks further out in West Africa (not in Ghana or in any neighboring countries, thankfully!) called for a delay of our trip.  The students had much of their heart and emotion put into this journey, so it is with great pleasure that we are able to make this happen regardless of the hiccup in our dates of travel.

We have less time to fundraise due to this delay but we are trying hard to defray our costs with three endeavors:

1. We will be helping to perform Ghanaian and other African Diasporic music and dance on Thursday, April 23rd, 7:30pm on campus at the Dion Student Center Event Room (3rd Floor).  Please come, join in the fun, and if you feel called to make a donation, we'd be grateful!

2. Students will be organizing a 50/50 raffle by manning a table in the student center on select days and times.  To enter without needing to go to a table in person, contact one of us directly!

3. We will be pre-selling a limited amount of Ghanaian cloths (2-yard sections as worn in festivals and ceremonies in the Volta Region) and beads.  If interested, contact trip leader Josselyne Price for information.

Specifics will be updated soon, and students will introduce themselves.  Please share the blog!

Thank you for all of your support.