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Volunteers excited about work after a training session |
Some particularly useful parts of training
have included UKVs and ICVs bringing together relevant key cultural
differences, for example the UK youth’s avid drinking culture in comparison
Ghana’s youth’s rare tendency to consume alcohol. In a business setting we
explored the differences in conceptions of professionalism; ICVs explaining
that long sleeved shirts tucked in and a tie is very important and UKVs
highlighting the importance of time-keeping and a firm handshake. Both of these
exercises drew out interesting cultural differences and have provided helpful
tips and advice for the introduction into our businesses and a smooth host
family experience from my perspective as a UKV.
Looking beyond our guided cultural
awareness sessions I have been keen to see what else our team has learnt from
each other and their experience in Tamale so far. I have enquired within our
team about some personal cultural learning experiences and have found some
interesting results. UKVs have observed that the community climate in Tamale is
friendlier than in our own home cities, strangers will often wave, smile and
greet you on the street. For some of us with a UK background this took a little
getting used to as people going about their own business in the UK usually do
it in silence! Our team leader Paulina Adjei and my counterpart Foster Ofori
informed me that there are approximately 80 languages in Ghana. The amount of
languages contributes to immediate bonding between speakers of the same
language who are often from the same region/tribe. British English also differs
from Ghanaian English for example a Ghanaian might “pick a taxi” or ask “what
will you take for lunch?” whereas a Brit might “take a taxi” or ask “what will
you have for lunch?”.
On the subject of lunch, both ICVs and UKVs
have come to learn that mealtimes are structured and practiced differently. In
Tamale, large lunches are taken and smaller dinners in the evenings before
sleep. ICVs have noticed that UKVs are
often satisfied with a small lunchtime snack such as biscuits or plantain.
Traditional meals in Ghana are generally made up of three components, a starch
(fufu, banku, yam etc.), meat, fish or egg, and a sauce or soup. It is common
for local people to eat with their hands or a spoon for fried rice or jollof
and the pounded food such as fufu and banku are chewed less in favour of
swallowing (as my host mother explained, the chewing has already been done!). I
have found that both ICVs and strangers are keen to share their food, stating
“you are invited” which to Brits symbolizes a kind, thoughtful generous gesture
of friendship.
Foster has kindly contributed some of his
own observational learning experiences from the first couple of weeks such as
vegetarianism. I am the first vegetarian he has met and he has been interested
to find out that some people choose not to eat meat and ask me about my
personal reasons why, for example environmental impact, ethical farming and
dietary nutrition. He also mentioned that we don’t “pay attention to happenings in the street” which I understood as
being less likely to get involved with events unfolding in public. We talked
about examples like a fight erupting on the street or a minor road collision
and how in UK culture these would not usually draw such a crowd.
I have really
enjoyed this introduction to what I’m sure will be a great learning experience
for every volunteer involved in the three month placement and it seems that we
have already begun to learn lots about each other.
As a recent Cultural
Anthropology graduate, I passionately believe that encountering other cultural belief
systems and practices encourages self-reflection and self-awareness as well as
flexibility, adaptability and the ability to step outside our own cultural
comfort zones with new perspectives. These skills are essential to building the
societies of our future.
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