4.8 - 148 Reviews

ThisWorldMusic

https://thisworldmusic.com/

ThisWorldMusic is a program provider offering 1 abroad program. Programs offered include Study Abroad, Graduate Program, and Research abroad programs in 1 country such as Ghana.

HELP: The Dagbe Cultural Institute & Arts Centre, which is ThisWorldMusic's longtime partner school in Ghana, has had all of its 2020 bookings cancelled. This devastating setback leaves Dagbe without the financial resources needed to pay its dedicated staff of musicians, dancers, artists, groundskeepers and cooks during what is usually the busiest time of the year. To provide direct financial support to Dagbe's staff and their families during this difficult time, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via: https://www.gofundme.com/f/dagbe-covid19-relief-fund

ThisWorldMusic® partners with educational institutions and arts organizations to offer innovative, hands-on cultural learning experiences.

Partners include: The University of Massachusetts Amherst, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Boston Symphony Orchestra, New England Conservatory, The University School of Milwaukee, Citi Performing Arts Center and school districts nationwide, including Memphis, TN; Oakland, CA; Providence, RI; and Worcester, MA.

Our Mission: To create a cultural bridge to West Africa through a shared love of music and the arts.

Learn more about how to study abroad in Africa with ThisWorldMusic and earn academic or professional credit from UMass.

Study Abroad with ThisWorldMusic

OVERALL RATING 4.8
Based on 148 Reviews
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Overall Experience
October 3, 2025
Past Review Eye Openingly Fresh And Invigorating ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"I learned that one can have a life-changing experience in a short amount of time. Perhaps the most wonderful thing about this program was the feeling that my experience felt truly authentic. This seems largely possibly through the staff (locals) who were willing to chaperones to the students. "

Saint Mary's College of California
Past Review Awesome ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"it is hard to say, it was a lovely experience with very generous people and I would highly recommend it. "

Saint Mary's College of California
Past Review Wonderful Trip To Africa ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"I learned about the culture, especially the spirituality of Africa. I was educated on the traditions that still exist, while seeing the progression of the people and society. I gained enlightenment on inner strength and the ability to endure through hot weather! I know how to drum, sing, and dance in the West African forms. I re..."

St Mary's University
Past Review A Trip I Will Remember Forever; Wonderfully, Profoundly Transformative. ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"I did not expect to feel so moved by the experience or so at home at the institute. The entire staff (Dagbe and ThisWorldMusic) were open and real, offering the students a chance to engage deeply with the culture and the people. The cultural wealth and generosity of the Ghanaians I met impressed me. I feel compelled to examine m..."

Saint Mary's College of California
Past Review So Much To Learn, So Little Time! ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"I learned so much from this experience - I was able to gain different life-perspectives, have a fun time dancing, and learn a lot of new drum rhythms, all while making some great friends."

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Past Review Life Changing Experience ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"I gained knowledge about Ghanaian dance and drumming first hand and made relationships with the people there that I will never forget."

Oregon State University
Past Review An Incredibly Beautiful And Eye Opening Experience ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"Learned new musical resources to apply to my classroom, found a love of African dancing that I will continue for the rest of my life, learned a variety of cultural arts, gained perspective about the world and culture, developed strong bonds with new friends from America as well as locals. Worthwhile does not capture how meaningf..."

CUNY - Queens College
Past Review I Will Go Back..!! ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"The trip was life changing. I was able to live in among the residents of Dagbe and experience their culture. "

University of New England / UNE
Past Review Education For Your Soul And Brain ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"The teaching style is different in Ghana than in America. I definitely appreciated experiencing a different style of teaching as well as a completely different style of life and am humbled to understand the reality of their daily existence more fully. "

University of Massachusetts Amherst / UMass
Past Review It Was Magical. ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"My experience abroad was most definitely worthwhile. It was so wonderful to see how another culture lives and I gained a greater insight to the world of African dance and drumming. "

Saint Mary's College of California
Past Review Very Worthwhile ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"This was very worthwile! It was great for students interested in music, arts, drama, dance, etc. It is also great for teachers of any sort. "

Teachers College, Columbia University
Past Review Expanding Horizons And Finding New Rhythm ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"I gained a new found respect for my enormous privilege as an American citizen at the same time as I gained awareness of how little I know of the world. My eyes were opened to cultural differences I could never have anticipated--everything from the way shopping works to how music sounds to how history is understood and communicat..."

Knox College
Past Review Life Changing Opportunity! ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"I was able to learn dancing and drums, learn about the language, the food, and batiking! "

Knox College
Past Review Akbe Kakakakakakaka! ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"I am better able to identify with people who live very differently from me."

Knox College
Past Review A Beautiful Journey ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"I gained a new perspective and a broader sense of the world. I met some of the happiest and most talented and well adjusted people whose happiness exists without the same resources available in the United States. The Ghanaian dancing and drumming which we learned at times felt so far out of my comfort zone; which was a beautif..."

Saint Mary's College of California
Past Review I Can't Wait To Go Back! ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"My trip to Ghana gave me a super unique experience to learn about a different culture in a way that is not easy to come by. Having the chance to go to Kopeyia and Dagbe to learn with such knowledgeable artists was truly a life-changing experience, giving me new perspectives that I have brought home with me. "

Saint Mary's College of California
Past Review Great Life Changing Experience! ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"I learned so many skills I never would of had to chance to encounter at home. I was so inspired by West African style of dancing and their lifestyle that I came back with such a different perspective with not taking our resources for granted and settling for one type of passion. There is a purpose and meaning behind everything ..."

Saint Mary's College of California
Past Review Absolutely Incredible! ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"Studying in Ghana with ThisWorldMusic was one of the best decisions I've ever made. This trip was life changing, to say the least. So much hard work goes into putting these trips together, and it shows. The week I spent at Dagbe was amazing, and taught me so much more than I could have imagined. I had done Ewe drumming before th..."

Hampshire College
Past Review Fantastic ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"I learned a lot about the country and their culture. It was totally worthwhile."

Knox College
Past Review Tiring But Builds You Stronger, Much Like The Dancing Involved ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"Again, a bit disappointed that no one fed a lemur, but everything else was pretty wonderful"

Knox College
Past Review Fun! ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"I had been studying music from Ghana for a few years in the U.S. and it was nice to experience the real deal. I thought it was a worthwhile personal experience but I do not predict much impact in my professional life."

None
Past Review Life Changing And Inspiring! ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"I gained a love and appreciation for the people and culture of Ghana. I learned an abundance of drumming, dances and songs to keep me filled for a lifetime. I reawakened the feeling of truly being an inexperienced student and the joy of diligent work to succeed and honor a beautiful culture. If you value exuberance for life, ..."

Northwestern University
Past Review Amazing African Musical And Cultural Immersion ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

"This program connected me with Ghanaian culture and music in an authentic and in depth way. I had a wonderful experience and would do it again in a heartbeat!"

Baldwin-Wallace College