Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Ghana: A Life-Changing Experience Past Review

By (Music Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst) for

ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was able to think about Africa in a whole new way, and to look at immigrants and their issues in America from a different perspective.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

We were immersed in Ghanaian culture and studied drumming and dance for most of the 3 weeks we were there. Our teachers were all Ghanaian, and we had many intense experiences involving the village where the school was.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The director was very organized, good about communicating with us and orienting us both before the trip and while we were there. He dealt with all the local problems and any health issues that arose within the group.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

We had the exact same food for breakfast every day, and only a limited choice for other meals. I do not fault the director or the program for it--it was just what was available, but we did complain about it!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We went to a funeral, made several trips to a local market, had lessons with the teachers on basket weaving, singing, children's songs and games, advanced drumming, and we helped whitewash a long fence outside the compound where we were staying.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

We were reminded daily about taking our malaria medication, and we all had many shots before the trip. It was very clear what we needed to do to be safe and healthy while in Ghana.

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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Intensity of the study there and the diversity of the people in the group.
* What could be improved?
  • Most of the things that would improve this course are out of the control of the director. The food was fair, the accomodations minimal, but I don't think they could be improved--everyone tried to make it comfortable for us, and compared with the locals, we were in luxurious accomodations!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? This program was definitely geared towards musicians and music teachers. It was physically demanding, musically challenging, and sometimes uncomfortable, but it opened my eyes in so many ways.