Heart Wide Open Past Review
By Trenda L (Smith College) - abroad from 07/23/2011 to 08/20/2011 with
ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture
I gained a level of understanding of how I move through space and interact with folks. I learned that I do not want to be a tourist in the sense of looking on to the way people live but rather prefer to participate actively. I learned that the learning can be hard and patience with self can be the hardest part of it. This program was definitely worthwhile!!!
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. |
I was able to learn lots of valuable skills in the areas of dancing, rhythm, batik, basket weaving, wood carving, and singing. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program felt well organized with enough time left to structure in ways that I wanted. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was comfortable and clean. In an area where running water is not the norm, we were privileged to have access to showers and flushing toilets. |
| * Food: |
The food was delicious, but without much variation. The food was nutritious, plentiful, and fresh. The best avocado, pineapple, and tomatoes I had ever tasted. The food that was purchased outside of the Dagbe Cultural Center felt quite pricey. Especially food purchased in the hotels in Accra. It was very clear that it was priced for tourists. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Personally, I felt quite integrated with the local culture. I believe that the structure of the program allows for one to stay pretty isolated (remaining within the walls of the cultural center) and staying only with the group. However, because of the amount of free time, I with a friend were able to make an effort to move outside of the center, getting to know families and friends outside of the institution. I would recommend that anyone traveling with this group make a safe effort to do just that. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
In preparation for the trip, we were made well aware of some of the health related dangers we could come upon. With a heightened awareness of the need for hydration, caution with raw/undercooked foods, and hand-washing habits, I felt prepared to keep myself safe throughout the trip. Those who did fall ill over the trip seemed to be well taken care of. |
| * Safety: |
|
| 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) |
It was difficult to a certain extent because of the amount to individual lessons I wanted to take. The program costs includes housing for 3 weeks, and meals for 2 weeks. It also includes 2hrs of drumming lessons and 2 hrs of dancing lessons for the 2 weeks you reside at the cultural center. However, outside lessons are highly encouraged (and I recommend them also!) at $10 an hour, it is easy to want to take 3 hours of lessons a day. In terms of food, I think when dining with the group at the hotel and/or restaurant, it is less easy to control your spending. I do recommend learning what foods are safe to buy and keep with you to cut some costs. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bringing dry goods that save well in the heat. Learning what local places are safe to buy food at. (Food/things priced for locals is a lot cheaper than when priced for tourists). Taking group lessons can sometimes earn you a cheaper hourly rate. |
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 |
The foreign language component was very lax. It was not a requirement and was really left to any individual who had an interest in learning it on their own and/or through private lessons. Some language was learned through the learning of songs. |
| 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? | None |
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? |
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? | That there are lots of different ways one can participate in the music making, even if drumming is not your strongest suit. |
