A Semester You're Never Ghana Regret Past Review
By A student (International/Global Studies., Trinity University) - abroad from 08/29/2013 to 12/13/2013 with
Study Abroad Programs in Ghana
In Ghana I learned how to Azonto dance, ride in trotros, eat Joloff rice like a pro, coco farm, make pottery and beads, conceptualize colonialism, weave Kente cloth, lay down some sick beats on a talking drum, drink water out of plastic bags, reject marriage proposals, use any kind of toilet facility possible, converse with a chief, cook palava sauce, make palm oil, take bucket showers, make delicious cups of instant coffee, hand wash my clothes, ride on the back of motorbikes, get involved in politics, watch soccer, take shots of akpeteshie, sell water in central market, casually converse with people in Twi, and how to attempt to understand myself apart from what I've always called home.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The course was not incredibly academically rigorous, and the "classes" were often a little on the disorganized side. Nonetheless, I think it was about all the academic rigor I could handle considering the cultural experiences I would have on a day to day basis. The independent research portion of the program was academically enriching because we got to choose our topics, travel wherever we wanted, and conduct our own research on a stipend provided by the program. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my home stay families!! |
| * Food: |
Ghanaian cuisine isn't my favorite. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This is where the SIT Ghana program excels! By the end of my semester, I could easily find my way around Ghana, even in the most crowded markets. I learned how to relate to Ghanaians in easy ways like talking about politics, speaking in elementary Twi, or simply showing off my Azonto dance moves At one point in the semester I lived 3 hours away from any other students for a couple weeks during my independent research project, and I didn't encounter any problems (other than feeling a little lonely). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare is readily accessible, but you need to be willing to wait for long period of time to receive medical care. Sickness is part of life in Ghana; two thirds of my group got sick last semester. I contracted Malaria at the end of my time in Ghana. |
| * Safety: |
Ghana is a safe country for American students. The program was also concerned with ensuring our safety. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
Everything is much cheaper in Ghana. I normally spent $1 or less on a full meal for lunch. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 or less depending on the week |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We didn't use it much when our group was together, but we were encouraged to use it on the streets and in our home stays. |
| 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 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Pack light. |
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.' |
