Past Review
By Jacqueline G (Social Work., The University of Texas at Austin) for
University of Texas - Austin: Accra - Social Work Maymester
I gained a deeper understanding of the African diaspora and my own ancestry. After learning about Ghanaian culture, I am more apt to believe that it is the country of my ancestors and plan to follow up on this belief by tracing my ancestral lineage. I am considering doing my final internship in Ghana, if a clinical social work position is available in an agency.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Legon, Accra |
| 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. |
Our lectures were held in on of the university class rooms but we did not take a class offered by the University of Legon. The local professors for our lectures, were some of the best lectuers I ever had in my life. My professor utilized the same grading system as when we have lectures at the University of Texas at Austin. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Dr. Gilbert was a pillar of stability in a month of frequent changes. Throughout the month things that were out of her control would disrupt scheduled activities, such as the weather, one or two people getting sick, traffic constraints, conflicting ideologies among students, but through it all, Dr. Gilbert and the TA's were patient, flexible, accommodating, understanding and always professional. It was a blessing to learn from their example. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We stayed at several hotels during the month due to excursions in different location throughout Ghana. All the hotels were nice: clean, air conditioned, good food and service was exceptional. The main housing we stayed in while in Accra was Catters Hostel and Sonnat Court Hotel. <br /><br /> I had a roommate most of the time and a single on one occasion. All the hotels were nicely decorated and clean. I always felt safe and could easily get a taxi to enjoy the nightlife. During the day we had a bus that took us around. |
| * Food: |
The food was fine but different to what I normally eat. I notice that the food is similar to Western style food, everything is fried. Being that I am from the carribean, I do not eat a lot of fried food, but I found sufficient food to eat. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All the excursions we had were memorable but the two that stick out for me are Cape Coast (the slave castles) & meeting the Chiefs' in Kumasi. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe when in Ghana. I did not have an experience with the healthcare system but 3 of my peers did and they said the service was excellent. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Unanticipated expense was purchasing additional bottles of water. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Search yourself to discover the true reason for selecting this maymester, then consider how that will impact your interaction with peers and your commitment to the service learning project you have to implement. The type of student who would benefit from this maymester are those genuinely committed to making a difference in the live & community of socially and economically deprived populations. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Community and Social Development - Ghana |
| Course Department: | SW 395K |
| Instructor: | Dr. Dori Gilbert |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The course challenged my outlook on foreign aid to developing countries; expanded my understanding of the African diaspora; and helped me to grow on a personal and professional level. The class offered many excursion to learn the history and culture of Ghana. Dr. Gilbert showed exceptional knowledge of Ghana and the course content. I participated in class less often than I would have at my home institution because it was new information I wanted to absorb. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | NA. |
