My first reflections on Tallahassee - a culture shock Staying, working in the capital city a culture shock

I am Ekow Essabra-Mensah, a Ghanaian journalist writing for the Business and Financial Times Newspaper. I am on an international media assignment, aimed at improving journalism worldwide.

I was selected by the International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) among 10 African journalists from Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria for a four-month internship program in the United States and being funded by the U.S State Department.

The program, administered by ICFJ, has its prime mandate to promote quality journalism worldwide in the belief that independent, vigorous media are crucial in improving the human condition.

Even though I am a journalist posted to the Tallahassee Democrat here in Florida, I felt I was a journalist in my newsroom in Ghana. I also found out many things about myself and the world around me.

I had very little knowledge about Tallahassee although I had done some research before deciding to embark on the journey abroad.

I had never been in the United States before, and coming to Tallahassee as my first time out of my country surprised even me.

My first day in Tallahassee was just a huge culture shock, but a few days later I had completely adjusted to everything.

I wish my last days do not come soon where I will leave my host family, Susan Ledford, the night editor of the Tallahassee Democrat and Jimmy, her husband.

My early days in Tallahassee were awesome with a lot of excitement, observing the city’s green beauty with its serene environment and lovely people.

I had already counted a number of Chinese restaurants, Indian and Mexican eateries with McDonald’s out-numbering them. This gave me an impression of a state with diverse public and accommodating people.

On my first day, which was Thursday, 90 percent of my activities were spent on studying the social economy and acquainting myself with the culture of the people.

Jimmy, Susan and myself drove around visiting various places in the countryside and I observed the green scenery with its tall trees and canopy-like trees overcrowding the roads.

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