Perspective

Every year on the first day of school I have my students give me some information about themselves by completing what I call a “get to know you” card. Each student is given a 3x5” note card and specific instructions what to write on it. This practice is pretty common among American teachers, but I’m pretty sure this was a new experience for my students in Ghana this week.

Beyond the routine questions such as the student’s name, birthday, home town, and their plans after high school, I also asked the students to list three positive characteristics about Ghana (since, as I told them, “I’m new to your country so what good things would you like me to know”). In addition, I asked them to list two or three ideas about the US that they have heard but aren’t sure if they are true.

Here are their unedited responses (the number in parenthesis is the number if times that answer was given):

Ghana’s Positive Characteristics:

(28) Ghana is a peaceful country

(17) Ghanaians are hospitable

(17) Ghana has a lot of tourist attractions

(6) Ghana is a hardworking country

(5) The beautiful cultural heritage

(4) Ghanaians are sociable

(3) The people are very kind and generous

(3) We are patriotic

(2) Ghana has a lot of mineral deposit (natural resources)

(2) We have good resources such as gold, timber, cocoa

(2) The people are loving and caring

(2) Ghana is a democratic country

(2) There is national cohesion

(2) Ghanaians are God fearing

(2) Education

There are a lot of factories and industries for production of goods

War does not happen as another country

Ghana is tolerant

Ghanaians are being respected and accepted by other states

In Ghana a citizen has much freedom to do whatever he or she wants to do

There is always food

Ghanaians are peaceful, hospitable, great

Ghana is full of joy

There is no constraint in being a christian

They like investing a greater part of their income in education

Lovely people

We are kind-hearted

Ghana is a united nation, we all see each other as our brothers and sisters

Ghana is a lovely country to be

Ghanaians are well mannered

I like Ghana, because of the friendly nature of talking to people

Ghana is always neat

Ghanaians abide by the rules of the country

Ghanaians love people across the world

Peace, love, and freedom

What do you think you know, or wish to know, about the USA?

1. US has no respect for Africans.

2. Is it true that parents open bank account for their children?

3. Students use a lot electronic devices in their studies.

4. The students normally use computers for learning which makes it very easy for studies.

5. Can you be mentally or physically disabled and be in USA when not a citizen?

6. Do students lack respect for teachers

7. Is it true that the government feeds and cater for children till their old enough?

8. Is it true that one could be stabbed with a knife if caused by harm by a gang of guys on the street?

9. Is it also true that before you buy a knife you must bring your passport?

10. Is it true that there are a lot of jobs in America?

11. Is America a peaceful country like Ghana?

12. Is it true that Americans don’t treat Ghanaian students and workers well?

13. Is it true that most American artiste are Satanist?

14. Is it true that thousands of people are loosing their jobs yearly?

15. Africans are not recognised

16. Children under 4 years are being paid

17. There is so much work

18. How do their kids behave since they are not beaten

19. Can the government of the United State of America build a house for you, when you were born there, and also pay your school fees for you?

20. Is it true that blacks are not given some kind of opportunities?

21. Is America all about all about drugs and arms utilization in High School?

22. Do you get paid when you’re in the university?

23. Is there a lot of discrimination in the schools in America if you’re an African?

24. Do American students mock the blacks. Those from African countries.

25. In which city or state is NASA situated?

26. What is the growth rate of the USA?

27. Is America the richest country?

28. Is President Obama the last president to rule America ever?

29. Is it true that most of the Americans musicians worship satan?

30. Do they take (eat) our local foods? Like banku.

31. Are the people very kind or wicked?

32. Are they generous like we are?

33. Are there homeless people in America?

34. How do you cope when the weather is extremely cold?

35. Are most Americans lesbians and gays?

36. Do all American students get to go to college?

37. How do the student in the US cope with their teachers?

38. I heard that President Obama is the last president to rule the country and after that there will be judgement day. Is that true?

39. Do Americans always change their car every year?

40. Does Americans use credit cards? And how do you fill it?

41. Is it true that there are Satanist churches there?

42. Do parents allow their children to go to night clubs?

43. Do most Americans think that Africa is jungle?

44. Is it true that at some point of the year you have 24 hours of darkness?

45. Do you have poor people in America?

46. Are things expensive there?

47. Is it true that children express themselves freely to their parents even if it shows disrespect?

48. How high is the level of HIV/AIDS in the States?

49. Is it true that in American schools questions are given to students to learn before their exams?

50. Does America make ammunition just to fight the middle east?

51. Why is it that your country improve very well in technology?

52. I will have to know the benefit you gain from lending money to other country

53. Is it true that streets of America are not safe at night?

54. During the winter season do some people get frozen?

55. Do American children talk ridiculously to their parents and nothing is done about it?

56. Is it true that the children are greatly educated on sex?

57. Is true in America their learning process is through the Internet?

58. Is it true that at the age of 16, parents give their children the freedom to do things, such as getting into a relationship and introducing their boyfriend or girlfriend to their parents?

59. Is it true that a child can sue his or her parent in court for beating him or her for a wrong thing done?

60. Do the youth in USA actually manufacture gadgets such as watches, players, etc.

61. Are some citizens homeless in America?

62. The government takes care of the babies of teenagers

63. Majority of the population are obesed

64. America is the most powerful country

65. How do you cope with African then the visit for the first time?

66. Can someone work without papers that is documents?

67. Is education in America also too long?

68. Is education compulsory in America?

69. Is there anything like free education in America?

70. Does the government take care of people who give birth to more than three?

71. Americans have no problems

72. Americans have human robots

73. Americans destroy a lot of building when acting a movie

74. Is it true that America does not have oil?

75. How many people really live in America?

76. Do students in America wear school uniforms or just anything?

77. Does the USA produce nuclear weapons

78. Is New York the busiest city in the world, how big is it?

79. Is Osama-Ben Laden still your on the run

80. Are there beggars and homeless people in the US?

81. At what age is one required to reach in orde to start working in the US?

82. Are children spanked in the US?

83. Does America like war because or to show off their strength?

84. Why does it interfere in every countries business?

85. Is an American president a world president?