"Obruni!!"

Being a foreigner in Ghana has had it’s ups and downs. In the city and at the University of Ghana, it is more common to see foreigners (“obrunis”) so you will not get those fixated stares and surprised looks that you get in the rural areas. Children typically wave to us and in rural areas they run after us shouting “Obruni!!” The term is not derogatory, but is merely of curiosity and tradition—it means foreigner in Twi. I have learned to accept it and never really became frustrated because I came here expecting it. I enjoy giving attention to children who run up and touch my hairy skin for minutes and pick at my freckles wondering if they are mosquito bites! I haven’t gotten many people begging money from me as I had thought I would. Overall, Ghanaians are truly welcoming and helpful to foreigners as they go out of their way to please and direct us.