ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture
Study Abroad Rankings Winner
- Location(s): Traveling in Ghana, Ghana
- Program Type(s): Study Abroad, Graduate Program, Research
ThisWorldMusic
148 reviews
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2 programs
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ThisWorldMusic's Study in Ghana program offers academic or professional credit from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Participants live at the world renowned Dagbe Cultural Institute in the village of Kopeyia, studying traditional West Afri... read more
All Reviews
I learned a different culture. I learned different dancing movements and instruments. Juan Enrique I - Knox College View Entire Review
It was the most worthwhile and best spent money i've ever invested in myself. I learned so much about the Ghanaian culture and more importantly about myself. I had no idea that this experience was going to leave such a deep impression on me and I think everyone needs to go and get a taste of Ghanaian culture. If we lived by thei... Erica C - Saint Marys College View Entire Review
I learned so many things on this program about culture, food, DANCE! music, shopping, customs and I learned a lot about myself. Alexandra L - Hampshire College View Entire Review
I gained several friends in the US and Ghana. I leaned about the culture, a bit about the language, food, crafts. Had a great time dancing and drumming. Totally worthwhile. katie.avery2 - University of Toronto View Entire Review
Though the trip was almost painfully short and limited in its scope of cultural immersion, I am still extremely thankful I went. It was worthwhile even for the small taste of Ghanaian culture and arts, but it definitely only skimmed the surface. A student - Knox College View Entire Review
I learned how to be more confident and how to soak up each new experience. I learned a lot about the culture of the Ewe people as well. Katrina R - Knox College View Entire Review
Traveling on this program was a total change in perspective. I had no idea what to expect, so I was excited and stimulated with everything that we did. I have traveled abroad before, but my experience this time around was like nothing else. The itinerary was perfect. I feel that I know the culture; I actively participated in it.... Chelsea E - Knox College View Entire Review
The trip was absolutely worthwhile. I took a class looking at music of the African Diaspora and it was incredible to put classroom knowledge into action and to experience the oral tradition we always talked about. The trip put me in touch with an entirely different world of beauty and knowledge. Michelle O - Knox College View Entire Review
I have never been to another continent, and the trip was definitely an amazing experience. I learned more about African culture through food, music, and dance. As well as attitudes and thoughts of Ghanians both in major cities and in rural areas. It was definitely a worthwhile experience and it makes me want to travel more. Arnold S - Knox College View Entire Review
Absolutely. I learned so many things about my own culture by experiencing the Ghanaian's. Not to mention all of the music, dancing, and historical things I learned. Dave F - Marist College View Entire Review
I think I know so much more about this part of West Africa and how most of the people live. Beverly C - none View Entire Review
I learned that Ghanaians are kind, generous and inclusive of Western visitors; that their children are in so many ways like ours, and probably more brave and independent at a young age. About myself, I learned that I can in fact learn drumming and dancing in a completely oral environment, and that physically I can keep up with ... A student - University of Massachusetts, Amherst View Entire Review
Extremely valuable/worthwhile. Not only did I learn about myself through this program, but I also enriched my knowledge of world music to apply to teaching, graduate study, and research. Bridget R - Indiana University - Bloomington View Entire Review
I gained more than I can put into words. Drumming instruction from masterful drummers some of whom are younger than 21, dance instruction in traditional and authentic fashion, better understanding on how life is for Ghanaians and what the problems are. The people are so helpful and want to teach their amazing crafts to pass down... Keagan C - University of Nevada - Reno View Entire Review
I was exposed to a much more desperate level of poverty that exists in the world. I had the most fun dancing that I've ever had so far! I began learning another language that I would like to continue learning. The people I met I will remember for ever. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY WORTHWHILE, and I desperately hope to go again. Vaughn M - University of Maryland - College Park View Entire Review
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!! emily E - Saint Mary's College of California View Entire Review
What life is like in an African Village Jeanne F - Knox College View Entire Review
I wanted to experience music and dance as a unseparated entity. In modern times, Western choreographers have found movement for the sake of movement. Consequentially, dances often take place in complete silence or with periods of silence. I wanted to see and experience the opposite end of the spectrum where dance is hand in hand... jmaw.moses - Knox College View Entire Review
The cultural aspects of learning the drumming and dance was an awesome, very worthwhile experience. Kelsey C - Knox College View Entire Review
I had never traveled before, even within the states, so this was an amazing experience. I not only learned about traveling and the Ghanaian culture, but I learned so much more about myself. I did things that I never thought I would have and I saw things that I didn't know existed. It was an amazing learning experience that opene... Maxine Q - Knox College View Entire Review
After studying music in the African Diaspora for a term, it was so beneficial to see the cultural/musical elements that we studied in person. Each excursion provided a varied,worthwhile learning experience of drumming, dance, and history. Erin S - Knox College View Entire Review
It was very worthwhile. I learned not only specific West African drumming and dancing skills but also the pedagogical techniques used in this culture, which was fascinating. I also got a good sense of Ghanaian culture and learned more about its history. Martina P - Knox College View Entire Review
Tons of music experience. Jamie T - University of California - Los Angeles View Entire Review
I learned a lot about Ghanaian culture and about music, both drumming and dance. There were a lot of great people in the village and who went on the program, and it was very worthwhile. Stephanie L - Brigham Young University View Entire Review
I gained so much musical and cultural knowledge that i'll be able to bring back to my classroom and teach my students. ella.scozzafava - University of Maine at Orono View Entire Review
About
ThisWorldMusic's Study in Ghana program offers academic or professional credit from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Participants live at the world renowned Dagbe Cultural Institute in the village of Kopeyia, studying traditional West African music, dance and craft making with the Dagbe Institute’s highly trained staff of local artists. Intense periods of study are interspersed with excursions to nearby beaches and open-air markets, as well as participation in and observation of local festivals.
Next, the Study in Ghana group travels to historic Cape Coast Castle, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its prominent role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. We also visit Kakum National Park Rainforest Preserve, where participants take a tour of the rainforest and go on a “Canopy Walkway,” a series of steel cable reinforced footbridges strung between the treetops. We then explore the capital city of Accra, where students take an exclusive tour of a master drum maker’s workshop, visit one of Ghana’s famous live music clubs and sample Ghanaian cuisine. While in Accra, participants shop at the National Arts Centre and are treated to a private performance and workshop with the acclaimed Ghana National Dance Ensemble.
Participants in the 3-week summer study abroad program in Ghana earn 6 credits (undergraduate or graduate) or equivalent professional development credits (PDP/CRU/PLU/CEU) from the UMass Department of Music & Dance; those taking the 12-day winter study abroad course earn 3 credits. Enrollment is open to students and professionals worldwide.
Next, the Study in Ghana group travels to historic Cape Coast Castle, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its prominent role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. We also visit Kakum National Park Rainforest Preserve, where participants take a tour of the rainforest and go on a “Canopy Walkway,” a series of steel cable reinforced footbridges strung between the treetops. We then explore the capital city of Accra, where students take an exclusive tour of a master drum maker’s workshop, visit one of Ghana’s famous live music clubs and sample Ghanaian cuisine. While in Accra, participants shop at the National Arts Centre and are treated to a private performance and workshop with the acclaimed Ghana National Dance Ensemble.
Participants in the 3-week summer study abroad program in Ghana earn 6 credits (undergraduate or graduate) or equivalent professional development credits (PDP/CRU/PLU/CEU) from the UMass Department of Music & Dance; those taking the 12-day winter study abroad course earn 3 credits. Enrollment is open to students and professionals worldwide.
Program Type(s):
Study AbroadGraduate Program
Research
Program Length(s):
- Summer
- January Term
- Custom
- Short Term
Instruction Language(s):
- English
Relevant Study Subject(s):
- African Studies
- English Language and Literature
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Fine Arts, Studio Arts
- Music
Minimum GPA:
2.5Website
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ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture: Abroad101 Study Abroad Rankings Winner
