An American Astronaut, Christina Hammock Koch has described her learning experience at the University of Ghana some twenty years ago as “life-changing.”
The Astronaut took to twitter to reminisce about her time in Ghana after viewing the country from space.
“20 years ago, I was studying abroad at the @UnivofGh. Like spaceflight, it was a positive, life-changing, perspective-deepening experience. Seeing the beauty of Ghana from space reminds me of the amazing people I met there and how in exploring the world, we learn about ourselves,” she tweeted.
Before getting ready to explore the stars, however, Koch decided she wanted to explore the Earth first. While studying for a double major of electrical engineering and physics at North Carolina State University, she took a semester in 1999 to study abroad in Ghana.
When she got there she learned that the university was no longer offering many of the courses she planned to take, but she decided to stay in the country and teach local students.
Christina Hammock Koch was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2013. She completed astronaut candidate training in July 2015.
Koch graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Physics and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Koch was selected in June 2013 as one of eight members of the 21st NASA astronaut class. Her Astronaut Candidate Training included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalks, robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training, and water and wilderness survival training.
She was assigned to her first space flight, a long duration mission on the International Space Station, in 2018.
20 years ago, I was studying abroad at the @UnivofGh. Like spaceflight, it was a positive, life-changing, perspective-deepening experience. Seeing the beauty of Ghana from space reminds me of the amazing people I met there and how in exploring the world, we learn about ourselves. pic.twitter.com/zK3CfRWJHY
— Christina H Koch (@Astro_Christina) December 12, 2019