Ghana: Music & More Past Review
By Kerrie S (Music Education, Providence College) for
ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture
This was an incredible experience and extremely worthwhile on both musically and personally. Musically, I learned a tremendous amount for my own purposes as well as to use with my students (k-6 general music). Personally, my eyes were opened to a completely different way of life and I returned home with a heightened sense of what is really important in the world.
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. |
This was a physically and musically intensive experience, worth every minute. Beyond the 4 hours of required classes M-F, students are free to arrange additional lessons in a variety of topics. This is a private residential 'school' in a rural community, not a university setting. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Trip leader and assistant trip leader were on-site and accompanied group on most outings. Communication was great -- really helpful to have two American leaders with prior experience in Ghana to help navigate cultural and linguistic differences. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Accommodations were very basic, as to be expected, but very clean. Cooking and cleaning staff were excellent. Definitely more comfortable in the hotels than at the village school, but overall, great conditions considering the overall conditions in the area. |
| * Food: |
Food was very fresh, if a bit monotonous. Lots of rice, meat sauce, eggs, bread, avocado, tomato, onion...Bring snack food! Not a lot of dairy or sweet foods in the village. Typical American fare available at the hotels. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Third week of trip spent visiting major cultural sites throughout south-eastern Ghana, including a slave castle, the rain forest, and the capital city. Canopy walkway hike in the rain forest, private dance performance and workshop in the capital, tour of the slave castle, and more! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Trip director stressed importance of hydration, electrolytes, and anti-malarial medication daily. All residence rooms locked, in village and at hotels. |
| 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) |
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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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