Travel, Tradition and Excellence in Learning Ghanaian Drumming and Dance Past Review
By lisa.mandelstein (University of Kansas) - abroad from 06/19/2014 to 07/09/2014 with
ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture
I learned specific dances, accompaniments and children's games in detail so that I feel confident to share with my students. All this was done within the larger context of traveling and reading about Ghana, leading me to a respect and deeper understanding of Ghana's history, culture and people. The strength, positivity, helpfulness and ingenuity I saw there was inspiring. The bright colors, warm voices and helpfulness will stay with me.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Dance/drumming instruction was excellent; aught in a clear, progressive manner to a successful performance. I wished for more supplemental cultural information - introductory language, common phrases, etc.: more side trips to cultural places in Accra such as the WEB DuBois Centre; more information on names of foods, customs, etc; and more discussion time to process our experiences and also the readings we had been required to do. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I thought everything was very well organized; from the pick-up at the airport, the use of phones, the choice of hotels we stayed at when not at Dagbe itself. I do think there could have been more optional excursions while we were in Accra and also on the weekend in the middle of the two week period at the center. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
In the context of Ghana I thought things were fine! I appreciated the fans in each room, the mosquito netting, and flush toilets. I got used to taking cold showers! My room was clean and well sealed against insects. I was surprised that there was no closet or way to hang clothes but that's okay. |
| * Food: |
I thought the food could have been a little more varied. I was surprised that we never had corn though it grows everywhere. I would have liked to sample more of the street foods - it was excellent when Jeremy got the cooks to make the pastries with meat inside! I think there could be more of this. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated, from our village walks, to the funerals we attended and interactions with the teachers and children of the village! This was wonderful! I would have liked a paper with some phrases, names of foods, etc.Pouring libations when we arrived at dagbe brought us into the local culture immediately. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The vaccines and medications needed for the trip were clearly outlined ahead of time so we could all be prepared. During our stay the trip leaders were very attentive and watchful to help everyone stayed as healthy as possible, with suggestions for drinking water and being proactive! Bottled water was provided for most of the trip! |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe, from pick-up to the end. The drivers were very calm and safe and the vehicles in good condition. Trip leaders were clear about where and when to go, and even made sure we were extremely careful crossing roads and such. The Ghanaian people that I met were trustworthy and helpful! |
| 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) |
At the institute we basically had no food expenses other than optional drinks or ice cream. Lessons were $10 and even if I took 2 a day that would only add up to $140 - but these were optional. When traveling the food/drink expenses were $10-20 total. There were always inexpensive options available. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I personally spent about $200 a week - food, drinks, lessons and lots of souvenir shopping - but that's because I wanted to. The trip could be done with just $300 - 400. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Learn about the bargaining culture of the markets and engage with friendly bargaining to get reasonable prices on souvenirs. Don't drink alcohol too often as it's always more expensive. Make use of the morning breakfast at the hotels - eat heartily so you don't have to spend so much at lunch or dinner. Share items with friends as many portions are very large. Try to get as many gifts as possible at the market in the village as the prices are much lower than at the tourist market. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | + that no notes would be given until after the trip was over + that I would want to keep so much video; so I would have prepared better for photo capacity and storage + that the WIFI would be much worse than described and I would not be able to connect or backup files + that I could have brought a whole suitcase (bought a cheap one at Goodwill) of books for the library at the school - and then just left the suitcase there if I didn't want to bring it home - I don't understand why this was discouraged - when we toured the school the library was in shambles - any books would be welcome there |
