Seriously an eye opening and amazing experience Past Review
By Caitlin D (University of the Pacific) - abroad from 08/03/2013 to 06/06/2014 with
USAC Ghana: Accra - African Studies, International Development Studies, and courses offered directly by the University of Ghana
I learned what I was passionate about, how to interact with people of a very different culture and that I do not know everything.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The porter and guest curfew situation was frustrating and annoying. Porters fall asleep when they are supposedly watching the door for our safety. But when help with something was actually needed they were useless. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| 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) |
Ghana is very inexpensive to eat and travel if you bargain and eat at local places. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 50 cedi or $25 USD |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 2 semesters with an intensive summer program AFLI through the Boren Scholarship |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Hangout in villages and markets. Students on campus speak pidgin not the strait language of Twi. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes 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? | Malaria medication is much cheaper in country than in the US |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
