THE immersive, comprehensive, academically rewarding program you will LOVE! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The overall educational experience was very immersive, which is exactly what I was looking for. I have lived in 3 different countries growing up and so I really wanted a program that offered me the academic rigor in international studies/development/African studies, as well as the immersive experience that makes me walk away thinking I did not speculatively study a region of the world but got to see its developmental challenges and solutions from a localized perspective. I was offered the opportunities to learn in and outside of a classroom, engaging in a complex independence research project that is now in the SIT research archive, and participating in field trips and a month of traveling the country to see the socio-economic developmental status, disparity, and characteristics of each region of the country. I also really appreciate the chance to learn a local language, twi, which is an indication of the program's academic effort to push students to engage in-depth. As a student researcher, learning the local language also helped me during the research process, using simple communications to ease interactions with locals interviewees.

On-site administration of your program

The staff members are extremely accommodating and welcoming. They began helping us before we arrived in Ghana, with welcoming informational packages and patiently answering my question from what size bedsheet I should bring to helping me navigate my potential research topic. Once in Accra and as we traveled throughout the country, the program administration never ceased to support us unconditionally through our daily lives, whether it'd be a medical emergency, finding connections to local internships and research advisors, and even giving us recommendations to enjoy the local cuisine. I was extremely satisfied with the professionalism and friendliness of the program administration.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was satisfied with my living arrangement. Open communication is key and even during potential hiccups, the program administration helped me address my concerns and ensured to their best abilities that I was living comfortably.

Amazing food, no question.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The field trips (day trips and extended ones) and language lessons were key to allowing program participants to integrate with the local culture. In that sense, I feel very integrated with the local culture, especially when it comes to food and music.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had multiple experiences with healthcare given that I have a relatively sensitive body and a few strange allergies. The program took us to a local hospital with great intl healthcare/insurance coverage during orientation (within the first 3 days of arrival) and made sure we knew how to find the hospital and what to say when we get there. We also got to meet the hospital staff. Within the first week, I had two minor healthcare experiences, one of which the program director accommodatingly adjusted the program schedule to ensure I was not held back by my medical case and could still participate in the activity of the day. The other instance, after I had settled in my homestay family, the program staff picked me up and took me to the hospital to get a check-up and stayed with me the whole time, they even helped me sort out insurance issues. I still remember getting a cold and my program director made tea and brought it to class for me, a kind gesture from the program administration that we routinely experienced throughout our time with SIT Ghana.

If you have any doubts, don't. Please do not be convinced by prejudice news reporting on "Africa" (which you will learn in your SIT Ghana classes) and be misinformed about your potential safety and wellbeing here. SIT would not run a program if it weren't safe, millions of people wouldn't visit Ghana on a regular basis (especially this year for the Year of Return) if this country weren't safe, I would not be writing this amazingly positive review if it weren't safe. You will be advised on the things you can do to ensure your personal safety, and you will also use your street knowledge gathered from your life back home and in Ghana, to make sure you are safe. As always, you should stay alert and aware of your hyper-visible experience and your actions in a foreign country.

without a doubt, I would choose this program and re-do it over and over.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We were encouraged and challenged to use the language.

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• Host Family
• Apartment

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• International Students
• Host Family

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Program Staff, Program Director, Classes
• Living arrangement, accomodatio
• Traveling! Staff friendliness.

• make the program longer