Phenomenal, Life Changing, Inspirational! Past Review
By FemmAesthetik J (Multidisciplinary Arts Management, University of Massachusetts Amherst) for
ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture
Yes! It reminded me how important community, drumming, and dancing are in my life. It helped me to see what is of utmost value - people over things. Both times I traveled to Ghana with This World Music I experienced a sense of home - particularly in the village. The experiences in Ghana will be with me always, and they continue to inform my choices, reminding me of what I value.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Workload was experiential and fun, grading system very fair, the style of teaching at the Dagbe Cultural Center in Kopeyia, Ghana was fantastic! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Strengths: Well organized; Good diversity of activities; Great balance between travel, engaged hands on learning, and down time. Weaknesses: I would have enjoyed team building activities at the beginning of the trip, to support the group in warming up to one another in an interactive way. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Air conditioning was provided at the Hotels and Ceiling Fans at the Cultural Center in the Village. Sheets and pillow cases provided. We needed our own towel and bathroom supplies when staying in the Village. |
| * Food: |
I am vegan, I was able to work out my needs in advance by bringing appropriate snacks. The Hotels food was totally sufficient, yet the village was a little bit harder to get all my needs met. If you are vegetarian or vegan this trip is totally possible, just think creatively - bring dried fruit, nuts, etc. You will be provided with vegetables, just not a lot. I brought canned tomatoes on my second trip, and it worked out just fine. Totally possible. The food I was able to eat, was really great. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The funeral! It's magical and something you will never experience anywhere else. Not to be missed. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Our groups didn't have any problems. Yet, as expected, many of us got sick for a day and would bounce back. My second trip there I was super religious about hand sanitizer and was able to get through the entire trip without getting anything. That would be my advice, lots of hand sanitizer, all the time - and you are good to go. |
| 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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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would recommend this to any student, we had such a diverse group on both of the trips I went on. Really, anyone with an open mind who wants to drum and dance a lot! This is for you. |
