Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Expanding Horizons and Finding New Rhythm Past Review

By (Dance, Knox College) - abroad from 12/07/2015 to 12/21/2015 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a new found respect for my enormous privilege as an American citizen at the same time as I gained awareness of how little I know of the world. My eyes were opened to cultural differences I could never have anticipated--everything from the way shopping works to how music sounds to how history is understood and communicated. Dance acted as a perfect point of common reference with local people, and it's a skill I've taken back to my own program in the U.S.

Review Photos

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

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

This was an incredible, unexpected experience which has changed my understanding of the world around me and my place in it.

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)

It's incredibly easy to stretch money in Ghana, and Jeremy gave us excellent advice about how to handle it.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Less than $100

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Jeremy!
  • Cultural Immersion Activities--dancing, drumming
  • Sight-seeing
* What could be improved?
  • I wish the trip were longer, but for cost reasons it was perfect
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How hard it would be (as a dancer) to dance in such different conditions than what I'm used to.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.