[Report] Two TUFS students have started the exchange program at UG (Ghana)

Ririka Waki and Takahito Yamamoto, a  third-year student of African major, began their exchange program on Oct 2024, at University of Ghana. Ririka and Takahito will study at the department of humanities for one year.

Message from Takahito

Hello. I am Takahito Yamamoto, a third-year student majoring in African area studies, and I am studying in University of Ghana. I have been looking forward to my study abroad in Ghana since my first year, and it has finally begun. During my stay in Ghana, I belong to the College of Humanities and majoring in Sociology. I will also be conducting fieldwork in rural areas on the theme of the relationship between traditional order in rural areas and illegal gold mining, which is currently a serious problem. I am receiving great support from Lisa, who studied at TUFS as an exchange student until this summer, and her family. Without her cooperation, I would not have been able to start my life in Ghana smoothly, which is full of things I am not used to. I am keenly aware of the importance of TUFS’ exchange program with Africa. Finally, I would like to thank everyone at both universities who are working hard to implement the exchange program, the Gyomu Super Japan Dream Foundation for providing me with a scholarship, and all my friends who have enriched my life in Ghana.

 

 

 

 

Message from Ririka

Hello, my name is Ririka Waki, a third-year student majoring in African Area Studies.
I will be studying at the college of Humanities at the University of Ghana, located in Accra, the capital of Ghana, for about a year. I am mainly learning Sociology here. The classes are interesting in that the professors use the issues or examples in Ghana when we learn about the social institutions, the family, urbanization and so on. I feel my studies at university are closely related to daily life and relationships with the people in Ghana. At the same time, there are many chances to notice and think about some phenomenon, social structures or norms in Japan, which brings me another learning experience. In addition, when walking on the streets, there are many unexpected encounters. The people in the picture which showed in the previous page are the ones who we came across and got to know each other when I and Mr.Yamamoto walked together. On every Sunday, we go to the church where they go and after that we sometimes cook lunch together. In this way, it has been about one month since I came here, and I feel people’s warmth of being welcomed friendly and kindly by interacting people such as friends I have met at university, people at the market, and even those who I pass by on the street. I will not forget the fact that my stay in Ghana has been possible through the support of various people, and I am grateful for it. I am going to give it my all during this valuable time. Lastly, I appreciate the staff at IAfP, teachers and staff at both UG and TUFS, Gyomu Super Japan Dream Foundation for providing me with a scholarship, and to everyone supporting my studies in Ghana.