A Utah PharmD Student Abroad

A PhamD Student traveling, learning, and eating

[chelseapharmd2020]

#GoLearn - Elmina Slave Castle “Let’s share our story positively to unite. Never Again.” - Ato Ashun

The Elmina Slave Castle was built in 1482 by the Portuguese. The Castle was established as a trade settlement and went on to later become one of the dominant stops on the route of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. The Dutch took control of the Castle in 1637 and the slave trade continued under the Dutch until 1814. In 1872 the British Empire took possession of the Castle. 

Visiting the Elmina Slave Castle was probably the most emotionally challenging experience of the entire trip. Walking the grounds of the slave castle made my heart feel heavy and broken. It was impossible to process all of the information and the gravity of where we were.

Our tour guide, Ato Ashun, could not have been a better human. He was the wisest tour guide I have ever encountered. The way he spoke of the history of the site in addition to the impact and significance was so powerful. The whole experience left me speechless. 

The tour began in the Women’s Dungeons. The area was dark and small and Ato described the conditions as unimaginable. Women and girls aged ten and above were contained in tight spaces with little air and minimal food and water to keep them alive. There was no toilet, so the floor was constantly covered in feces, urine, vomit, and other bodily fluids. In addition to these horrific conditions, the women were further abused and raped by authority figures. 

I cannot imagine how awful it was. It makes me feel sick. 

The Men’s Dungeons were no better. Conditions were equally as bad for the males. Inhumane. 

Later in the tour, Ato led us to the holding area where the slaves were taken to the ships. The area was a crowded, small room with a narrow door for accessing the beach. The slaves were filed through the door one by one and taken away. Ato mentioned that once they were on the ships, conditions were even worse than in the castle. He said that on the ships, people were stacked on top of each other and shackled together. When one person died, it would be quite some time before the body was removed. Unimaginable. 

Ato asked that we take a moment of silence for the lives lost and the pain suffered. I felt it in my heart and my soul. 

At the end of the tour, Ato answered any questions that we had. He then reminded us that we must learn of the past to prevent repetition in the future. Thank you, Ato. 

“Let’s share our story positively to unite. Never Again.” - Ato Ashun

[chelseapharmd2020]

#GoAdjust - Ghanian Cuisine

Eating in Ghana was quite an experience! Shown below are some of the dishes that I had the pleasure of enjoying: 

Shown below is Jollof Rice - a mixture of rice, vegetables, tomato sauce, and spices. Sometimes it was served spicy, other times it was more bland. It was extremely filling and delicious though after a long day of work in the field. 

Whenever you order fish in Ghana, typically the whole fish is served. This was the fried Tilapia that I ordered. It was challenging to de-bone the fish however it was tasty!

This is fufu - a traditional Ghanian dish. The dough is meant to be pinched off, dunked in the broth, and swallowed whole. This dish was challenging for me to enjoy as I am not accustomed to swallowing my food without chewing. The flavor of the broth was delicious nonetheless. 

This was one of my favorite dishes - Groundnut Soup. In Ghana, peanuts are called groundnuts. The soup was full of flavor and was a filling meal after a long day of work and fun. In the middle is a ball of rice, which was served separately with the intention of putting in the soup. It was stick-to-your-bones good. 

This was an amazing dish of Creamy Black Beans and Rice adorned with Mango and Avocado. It was one of the best vegetarian dishes I had while I was in Ghana. The flavors were perfected. 

This is Chicken Shwarma. We bought these wraps a local gas station while we were in transit. The wrap was one of the best thing I ate in Ghana. It was full of flavor and savory goodness. I’m dreaming about these right now... 

[chelseapharmd2020]

#GoRide - The “Tro-Tro” in Ghana

The tro-tro is a multi-passenger van that is used as a form of privatized transit in Ghana. Tro-tro’s are one of the quickest ways to get around in Ghana and most of the locals and tourists use them. Tro-tro’s are particular in the direction of their route however they are informal in their pick-up and drop-off locations. 

The tro-tro staff consists of two workers - a driver and a “caller.” The “caller”  is an individual who yells out the window at people on the street to collect passengers. The “caller” calls out various phrases at people to get their attention. One of the most common things to say is “bra” which means “come.” Passengers will then confirm the direction of the tro-tro with the “caller” before hopping aboard. 

Once on the tro-tro, you pay for the service when the caller has the opportunity to speak with you. It is extremely informal. Typically, the fare is less than two cedis (1 cedis = $0.25). The fare is this flat-rate regardless of how far/where you are going. 

The experience of riding on a tro-tro is unlike any other transit experience. Since there is no air conditioning, typically the windows are open. Given this, all of the city smells of food, sewer, and diesel exhaust fill your senses. Sometimes things smelled great and other times smells were less than great. To further enrich the experience, loud music is playing. Some of the tunes I enjoyed ranged from Reggae to local Ghanian music. 

The tro-tro ride can be very quick or very slow depending on traffic and distance travelled. The traffic patterns and laws are only sometimes observed by drivers. The tro-tro is a practical form of transportation that is effective at getting you from point A to point B. 

[chelseapharmd2020]

Preparing for a Month Abroad

Hello, University of Utah! 

Are you interested in participating in a learning abroad program? Are you unsure if you have everything you need for a program? Are you just a little overwhelmed?

Fear not! Although planning may seem challenging at first, preparing for a learning abroad trip can actually be quite fun! Leaving for a month may seem like an intimidating amount of time but with adequate preparation, you will be just fine! 

If you’re traveling to a developing country, preparation can be a bit more challenging; however, it is not impossible. With planning and assistance, your preparation for your trip will go seamlessly. 

With regard to the Ghana/Paris program, the program directors were extremely helpful in guiding us on what to pack and how to prepare. I focused my attention on the following five areas in order to plan for a successful trip: 

1. Vaccinations/Medications

Traveling to an area of the world that requires special vaccinations can seem overwhelming. Luckily, the Student Health Center has a travel clinic. This is an excellent resource! I met with a Nurse Practitioner to discuss my trip and learn what vaccinations were required/recommended. Vaccinations and medications can be costly so I would recommend to financially prepare ahead of time. The Student Health Center offered the best cash-price vaccinations. For more information, check out http://studenthealth.utah.edu/

2. Packing Clothes/Necessities

Packing for a month abroad may seem overwhelming. Sticking to the basics may be your best bet. A good pair of sandals and closed-toed shoes can go a long way. For my trip to Ghana I took a pair of Chaco sandals, Birkenstock sandals, and closed-toe low-profile hiking shoes. 

As for clothes, I chose breathable travel clothes that had UPF protection. I also packed good socks since I was planning to be on my feet all day. A swimsuit is always a good idea to bring. And of course, a hat for sun protection and/or style is a must! 

3. First-Aid/Pharmacy 

If you have certain cosmetic or toiletry products that you use on a frequent basis, plan on bringing travel sizes of these. My skin gives me a challenging time when I am not in my usual routine so packing the right products was helpful for my trip. I also brought my favorite shampoo, conditioner, and lotion from home. It was nice to smell familiar smells, especially in a place so far from home!

4. Preventative Measures

Given that I was traveling to an area notorious for malaria, preventative planning was a must. In addition to taking prophylactic malaria medication, I also treated my clothes with Permethrin - a chemical that protects you from mosquitos. 

5. Mental Preparation/Positive Attitude

Before I left for the trip, I spent as much quality time as I could with the people in my life that are important. I visited my family back in NC, spent time with my friends in Utah, and spent time with my boyfriend. Having a stable emotional/mental state was absolutely critical for having a successful and healthy trip. 

Planning does not have to be overwhelming so don’t let that component of a trip deter you. I’m happy with how I planned and I think it helped me to have a successful trip. If you have any questions, leave me a comment :) 

[claudeagradaa]

[ghanalife]

Traveling in Ghana On a train from Takoradi to Kumasi

[chelseapharmd2020]

Wow! Only 4 months until I’m here!

[chelseapharmd2020]

It's official! I'm heading to Ghana this summer for a Global Public Health program with the @universityofutah. So excited for this amazing opportunity!

[californiavida]

Hermosa ✨

[chelseapharmd2020]

Cannot wait for spring break!

[chelseapharmd2020]

Really enjoyed checking out the Midway Ice Castles! What a unique adventure.

[breathtakingdestinations]

Kakum National Park - Ghana (by Stig Nygaard) 

[chelseapharmd2020]

I am hoping to go on the adventure of a lifetime to Ghana this summer! In addition to our fieldwork and research we will get to spend our off-days at beautiful places like Kakum National Park! Good thing I am not afraid of heights! 

[chelseapharmd2020]

Social Media Submission: The City of Salt - An Unlikely Foodie Haven

The Beehive state offers a diverse array of cuisine for Salt Lake City residents and visitors alike. Over the past five years the foodie scene has taken off and the bees are buzzing. Restaurants are now offering unique and diverse experiences to diners throughout the valley and the foodies are rejoicing. From gourmet brunch to delicious piping-hot ramen, the city of salt has a lot to offer.

A few of my favorites include:

Jinya Ramen Bar - This Ramen Bar opened a few months ago and is perfectly poised in the Fashion Place Mall area at the convergence of two major interstates. Jinya offers a diverse array of Asian specialties however my favorite is the “Cha Cha Cha Ramen.” The noodles are cooked to perfection, the broth has the right ratio of fat and umami tastes, and the soft-boiled egg is so perfect I could cry. I’ve been looking for the best ramen in Utah for a while now and I think that I have finally found it at Jinya. 

Pictured - “Cha Cha Cha Ramen” $13

Laziz Kitchen - Located on the west side of Salt Lake City, Laziz Kitchen opened up last season and has brought some exciting new gourmet options to the region. From their fried cauliflower wrap to their shashouka, the bountiful and exciting menu will leave any diner intrigued. I am a huge fan of their hummus and wraps and cannot wait to get back to try more of the menu.  

Pictured - “Fried Cauliflower Wrap” $8

Meditrina - Also located on SLC’s west side, Meditrina boasts an exquisite menu full of delicious tapas and one-of-a-kind dishes. I have only enjoyed the brunch so far (which was absolutely scrumptious!) but I intend to return for the tapas dinner. Pictured below is the shrimp and grits from the brunch menu. As a true southerner I can vouch for the quality and execution of this classic dish and say that it was a ten-out-of-ten! 

Pictured - “Shrimp and Grits” $15

The foodie scene continues to improve with each new day and I am excited to see what the future holds for us SLC dwellers. Get your appetites ready y’all, because there will be much more to enjoy!

All photos were taken by me :)