When American-born wanderlust Christina Jane traveled to Ghana for the first time in 2019, it was love at first sight.
The 21-year-old who doubles up as a freelance writer couldn’t wait to return to Ghana two years later. Her two months-stay in Accra charmed her so much that all she wanted was to leave her Florida home.
Christina returned to Ghana in August 2021 for her graduate program. She would have chosen to stay in the US, but she couldn’t stop thinking of this West African country.
She joins a growing list of Americans opting to move out to Ghana. Dave Chappelle, a celebrated American comedian-cum-producer, in April announced his intent to relocate to Ghana.
American-born Christina Jane. [Photo/Travel Noire]
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How Did Christina Jane End Up Falling In Love With Ghana?
A bout of change in atmosphere – utterly different from what was in Florida – warmed her heart.
This gave her a significant reprieve because she was already tired with her freshman year. She doesn’t hide the fact that she disliked college then.
Christina admits that she had been looking for a human connection for so long and did not find it even in college. But, her stay in Ghana brought it all out.
When an opportunity arose to complete her Master’s degree at any US-based institution, she picked Ghana. She is pursuing her studies courtesy of the Charles B. Rangel Fellowship.
She tells Travel Noire that the minute she landed in Ghana, her spirit changed, and she felt the connection throb in her heart. It was a prayer answered after a period of dissatisfaction.
What Does Christina Jane Love About Ghana?
Ghanaians are friendly and caring. And this kind of connection wasn’t something Christina had back home – she was on a mission to establish this human connection.
Her two-month stay in West Africa exposed her to a daily dose of people asking how she was and wanting to know more about her.
This was the positivity she wanted around her.
“In Ghana, if someone asks you how you’re doing, it’s not just a conversation holder. They genuinely want to get to know you and make sure you are doing well,” she recalls.
“It was so easy to form relationships and make meaningful connections. Most people I met in 2019, I kept in touch with throughout the two years I was back in the States. It was the best two months of my life.”
In the same breath, it was in Ghana that she started her solo traveling and has never looked back. Today, she is an avid traveler and compliments it with her freelance writing.
In Ghana, coping with her anxiety disorder is so easy because she doesn’t bother about what other people think about her.
It is a disorder she has battled for years – since she was 16 years – and it is not rosy at all. She was put on three different medications in a year before depression peaked when she was 19.
Why Travel Is Therapeutic For Christina Jane’s Anxiety Disorder
At the peak of her depression in 2019, she left the US for Bali, Thailand alone. This was when she discovered that she was calm and nervous, and Ghana amplified her desire for solo travel.
When she is away from home, Christina feels limitless and powerful. Life in Ghana helps her cope with the anxiety disorder. Her anxiety triggers have no space in Ghana – she describes her environment as peaceful.
In Accra, racism is not something she worries about, unlike her Florida neighborhood, where she keeps looking over her shoulder.
It is a no-brainer that racism can be a massive trigger for anxiety in a neighborhood dominated by whites.
Why Is Ghana Emerging As A Second Home For Diaspora?
Ghana is welcoming and abounds with limitless opportunities. And the fact that racism is not a thing here; it becomes more attractive to hurting diasporans.
Christina is evidence that Accra can be a second home to anyone looking to start a life in Africa.
American-born Christina Jane. [Photo/Travel Noire]
“That human connection, genuine respect, and openness is what I crave, and I get that so easily here in Ghana.”
