Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Summer in Ghana! Past Review

By (Music Education, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign) - abroad from 07/28/2012 to 08/19/2012 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A greater appreciation for the culture of many of my students who are from West Africa, and their experiences. A deeper understanding of the slave trade. An understanding of Ewe dance, music, and song. I will teach this to my students.

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.

A great experience I could not have had in the US- program taught the arts, but also exposure to culture, traditions, and people. Resources and suggested readings relating to Ewe culture music and culture are engaging, interesting, and insightful. I'm rereading now that I've had the experience in Ghana, and getting much more out of readings.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

This World Music program is run very smoothly- vans are ordered for trips, guides are arranged, guides are very organized and efficient. Meals were sometimes ordered ahead of time to decrease waiting. Guides let us linger to enjoy the country.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Perfect.

* Food:

Gloria and Elizabeth made excellent food, I miss the kelewele.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I appreciate being able to take off for a solo walk when I want to, to go through trails to different villages. I saw different villages and families in daily life.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I wish Chicago was as safe and friendly as Kopeyia.

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget $ to buy fabric and jewelry at the market.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I experienced the culture in a rural village
  • I learned dance and music and will now apply that to my classroom
  • I went to Cape Coast Castle, historic site
* What could be improved?
  • Schedule a trip to the waterfalls near the monkey sanctuary
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have packed differently. I was expecting a beach I could swim at. It was cool to see the fishing boats at the beach though!