Never-ending Summer Past Review
By A student (Business Administration, Fordham University) - abroad from 08/03/2014 to 12/13/2013 with
CIEE: Legon - Summer Ghanaian Studies
Expanded my cultural horizons, opened my eyes to many different ways of living and values. Made unforgettable connections. Had an amazing time, more than worth it.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Challenging classes and sometimes difficult to adjust to style of learning, but overall good beneficial experience. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CIEE staff in Ghana was incredibly welcoming, helpful, and compassionate. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Stayed in ISH 2, one of the international hostels on the Legon campus. Not a 4-star hotel, but definitely manageable. Easy to make friends. Subject to infrastructure issues like power outages, lack of running water, etc. |
| * Food: |
Spicy, filling, but good. Diet consists of a lot more starch and carbs than I was used to. Enjoyed the local food, but missed abundant fresh vegetables. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Fortunate to make friends with locals right away. Definitely made my experience so much better and helped me feel more integrated into the culture. CIEE also provided university pals and some great excursions to help urge students to experience the culture. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No health issues for me. Program assisted with malaria nets. |
| * Safety: |
Always felt safe, even more so than in New York sometimes! Women: don't talk to every man who stops you because he wants to "be your friend". |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Cheaper prices in Ghana, dollar worth more than local currency. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save money on food and water, eat locally and drink sachet waters. The "American" places are where food will be really expensive. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Local language of Twi. Encouraged to use for bargaining! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | No Twi courses |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Learn a few key phrases to bargain |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Ghana has an exemplary night life, bring the right clothes. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
