TEM Lab: Ghana – PALMS – ExxonMobil

Our TEM Lab project is nearing an end and although we still have one week left in Ghana and plenty of work to do, I have begun to reflect on the fantastic experience had thus far. Despite some speed-bumps along the way (thank you bacteria and weak stomach), the project has been interesting and my time in Ghana has been insightful.

Although I never imagined that I would work on a project in Ghana (until a few months ago when I was told: “You will be working on a project in Ghana.”), I have enjoyed having the opportunity to experience a new culture and surrounding with my team. This is not to say that I haven’t missed certain things from home or complained during our time here (sorry Team, even I am fallible). Nevertheless, I am extremely grateful for the amazing experience that TEM Lab has offered me and am happy to have been on a team with four other fantastic people (currently, Brody is patting me on the back and telling me that I am fantastic too – thanks Brody!).

It has been a great experience working with a client in an emerging market as well. Working with an organization in Ghana has definitely provided me insight into how difficult it can be to run a business in a place where information can be difficult to access and infrastructure is unreliable – before our trip, Professor Finney alerted us to the potential institutional voids that we may face in a developing market – yet, despite some of the difficulties associated with running a business in Ghana, things get done and people succeed. Hopefully, our team can be of assistance to CVSI/PALMS/MOFIL and help them to be successful.

Ghana is the first African country that I have been to and I am inspired to see more of the continent. An unfortunate aspect of our trip has been the lack of time to explore Ghana or the rest of Africa, but certainly, I will see more in the future. But before then, I will be back in Glendale enjoying the 120º F dry heat and the greatest density of strip malls and fast-food joints available in the world; unfortunately, none of them will have banku, fufu, red-red or meat-sticks… Well, they may have those.

Posted: 08|5|11 at 10:52 am.
Filed under: Erik Saether.
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