A profound experience in Africa Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

As this was an oral learning experience, I'm not sure how to rate Academic Rigor. But it was a very intense program with outstanding resources, from information provided before the program, leadership during the program, and post-program projects, academic credit, and followup.

On-site administration of your program

The accommodations and logistics (e.g. safe water and meals, transportation) were outstanding.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Double room with the same roommate for the entire program was very nice. Flush toilets and showers I did not expect.

the opportunity to try locals foods in the two hotels was excellent. The meals at the Dagbe Institute were plentiful, well prepared, tasty and included local foods, vegetables and fruit with every meal. The kitchen staff worked incredible hard and long 7 days/week for our two week stay.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Compared to most of my other mostly-tourist experiences in other countries, this program was excellent in terms of cultural exposure to real life in both metro and rural Ghana. In particular, we were so welcomed and included by the local people in the surrounding villages. We were invited to a funeral, a baby-named ceremony, our instructors' homes in the village, to a church service, and perpetually invited to dance at every opportunity.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We were well prepared for the program by Dr Cohen with information on vaccinations, malaria prevention, and medications to bring. One participant needed a medical checkup which was accomplished quickly by the leaders.

We were always with leadership in Accra, cautioned about any risks (stay off the beach at night, also handled by hotel security). We felt very safe in the institute, including the information that nothing had ever been stolen there since the program began in 2009. We took precautions with electronics but did not feel like everything had to be locked up.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The only true living expenses not covered by the program were lunches and dinners and bottled water for 5 nights in hotels at beginning and end of trip, which was less than $200 US for me. Meals and bottled water at the Dagbe Institute for two weeks were covered by the program fee.

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• Dorm
• Hotel

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• Americans
• International Students

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• Americans
• International Students

• The incredible bonding experience of 15 people meeting for the first time in a foreign country for a common purpose. We became an improvised family in only a few days, miss each other intensely after the program ended, and many of us plan to keep in touch and meet again.
• The quality of the instruction in both drumming and dancing by the Dagbe Institute Staff.
• The excellent leadership and caring for us by the two trip leaders.

• Had the daily schedule and all activities been better presented about the program, my spouse would have gone also. It appeared the majority of class hours were going to be drumming, when in fact there were equal parts drum, dance, and several crafts.
• At least one person paid for a private room at Dagbe which could not be accommodated.

The Avid Adventurer