Unique and Amazing: Changed My World Perspective Past Review
By Holly S (University of Massachusetts Amherst) - abroad from 07/30/2010 to 08/20/2010 with
ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture
I gained an experience with and some competence in the basics of Ewe drumming and dancing. I meet any Africans and observed their life in the village. It was extremely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| 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. |
Learning drumming and dancing with African teachers was very different from learning these subjects from American teachers. This, in fact, was one reason I choose the trip to Ghana. I wished to learn from Africans in Africa. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Jeremy Cohen's leadership of the trip was vital to its success. We students needed his expertise in coordinating with the African staff to provide us with the best possible experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived in a dorm as a group of Americans but this dorm was one compound in the African village. Western toilets was a plus! |
| * Food: |
The meals prepared for us in the village were somewhat repetitive. However, out cooks were gracious in providing for special requirements. We always had plenty of food and it was tasty. Food in hotels was excellent. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Although not academic, the experiences we had in addition to our classes were very educational. They included participation in a village funeral, visits to a local market, attendance at a local soccer game, visit to a slave castle, and visit to a rainforest. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Most students, including myself, had some digestive issues at some time during the trip. These were short-lived. Staff and students cared for each other. We had been well-prepared about needed shots and medicines to take on the trip. |
| * Safety: |
While we resided in the village at the Dagbe Centre, we feel completely safe to walk outside of the compound to visit an internet cafe or to just walk in the surrounding area. In the city, we felt no concerns during the daylight and observed suggestions to return to our hotel by nightfall. There were no safety issues of any kind experienced. |
| 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) |
During our stay in the village, I spent between $50-$100 a week, mostly on extra lessons, phone cards and purchases at the market. Food was provided. The last week of traveling was more expensive--closer to $150 with additional moeny for purchases to bring home to family. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It is hard to resist buying many of the unique and relatively inexpensive items that are available. I would suggest taking extra money if this is possible. If this trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, buying special items seems sensible. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | How hot it was! I was told but I couldn't quite imagine it. |
