When I signed up for UA in Benin I was very nervous, knowing little about Benin and throwing myself into this adventure alone. I had never been away from home for such a long time, and had never traveled somewhere so unfamiliar. However, I was still very excited! I became “obsessed” with Benin, looking into articles, videos, websites, and social media pages about the country almost every day. The time from initially signing up to the trip to finally driving to the airport felt like a blur, with school and life keeping me busy. My excitement and nervousness hit an all-time high while boarding the final plane that would take me to Benin, it all started to feel real!
Preparing for the trip was rather easy. I packed for Benin’s hot and humid climate with light clothes, sneakers, sandals, and a few nicer outfits. I also brought a journal for classes at the University of Abomey-Calavi. In my head I thought of the goals I had planned for the trip— strengthening my French language skills and learning about Benin and Francophone Africa as a whole, with a focus on economic development. Through research, I made a list of sites to visit beyond Cotonou, where the program takes place, like Ganvié, the “Venice of Africa,” and Ouidah’s historic landmarks. Benin’s rich history and modern culture captivated me, and I was eager to explore it while practicing French daily. Arriving in Cotonou was thrilling, and diving into this trip has made me so happy I decided to go through with it months ago.
