Kwaaba to Ghana's ultimate cultural immersion for Westerners!!! Past Review

By (Performing Arts, Saint Mary's College of California) - abroad from 01/01/2014 to 01/12/2014 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The knowledge is immense. The experience itself is very eye-opening and difficult to put into words. One needs to experience this for themselves. Everyone from the staff to the students were welcoming and open minded making it an enjoyable and prosperous learning environment for all!!

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.

This program is an intense 12 days...jam packed with events, rituals, rehearsals etc. hourly!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

High-energy welcoming staff!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

You live in a small village. Your accomodations are like 4 star digs for the area. Having said that, they are very simple accommodations and not the standard you would consider 4 stars in the States. I think the housing is very appropriate for the area.

* Food:

All the food is very fresh. From the trees and ground and on the table the same day.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Complete immersion!!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Felt totally safe. Jeremy and Janna kept tabs on us at all times and advised on at all times depending on our location in the country.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Dagbe Staff
  • Students
* What could be improved?
  • breakfast options
  • more fans for sleeping
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing, I felt very well informed prior to going. In the same respect there is nothing that could have been told to me prior to my departure that could have prepared me for this experience.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.