A Mexico High School graduate got a taste for travel this past summer, which has sparked her curiosity for more.

Shadora Foy, currently a student at the University of Indiana, graduated from Mexico High School two years ago and got a chance to travel to Ghana with a group of other students. The group was accompanied by their professor, Dr. Nana Adjoa Aikins, who is a native of Ghana. It was the first time Foy traveled outside of the United States.

“After going to Ghana my goal is to visit every African country,” Foy said. “I'm excited to travel again.”

While in Ghana, Foy and the other students got a chance to meet Dr. Nana’s family and some pretty important people. Dr. Nana went to school with Ghana’s Head of Chiefs, Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, which is similar to royalty. The country has an elected president but also has a group of “chiefs.” At one time Dr. Nana’s father was a chief.

Foy said when meeting the head chief it's typical that people do not speak directly to the chief. Instead, they direct questions or comments to the other chiefs who in turn communicate with the head chief and then communicate back. 

“Since my teacher knew the language and since they were really good friends it was kind of informal and the king would often say things directly to us and then she would talk to him,” Foy said.

The group visited three different cities in Ghana including Kumasi, Accra, and Cape Coast. Foy said Accra reminded her of St. Louis while Kumasi was similar to Columbia. Cape Coast reminded her of rural Missouri. Many of the group’s stops included local markets where bartering was the way to trade. 

“They make it a high price but they only do that because they want you to bargain with them,” Foy said. “It’s part of their culture. They invite it.”

Foy also experienced Ghana’s food and the culture behind it. Most restaurants they visited featured a dish called Jollof rice. The dish is made with long-grain rice, tomatoes, chilies, onions and other spices.

“A lot of different African countries have their own way of making a jollof rice,” Foy said. “It was a staple meal that was always on the menu.”

Before going back to Africa, Foy will travel to a different continent. This upcoming spring she plans to spend some time in Costa Rica on a study abroad program.

“I’m hoping to go abroad this summer and live in country and get an intensive workshop of learning,” Foy said.