Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

So much to learn, so little time! Past Review

By (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) - abroad from 12/29/2016 to 01/08/2017 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much from this experience - I was able to gain different life-perspectives, have a fun time dancing, and learn a lot of new drum rhythms, all while making some great friends.

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.

One of the most jam-packed weeks of learning I have ever had.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Took a night or so to get used to the heat but there were fans and it was usually very comfortable.

* Food:

The best fruit in the world!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program does a great job exposing us to a lot of local cultural events and trips, in addition to our time at Dagbe.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Safety was always stressed and I never felt in danger.

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

As far as fitting this in with my other academic requirements, this was the perfect amount of time. However if I had to do it again, I would look into the longer session since the week really flew by and I would have loved to stay longer at Dagbe. But overall, it was a good introductory amount of time.

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)

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
* 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?
  • the dagbe staff - their patience, wisdom and kind instruction
  • the opportunity for cultural immersion
  • the lack of wifi - so nice to be off the grid and really focusing on what you came to do without any distractions
* What could be improved?
  • more vegetarian options
  • better day-to-day schedule communication
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew I would have loved being in the village so much and stayed longer!

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'