Education Abroad in Ghana Past Review

By (American Studies and Community Health, Tufts University) for

Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Ghana

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Fall 2008

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The Program was super supportive domestically and abroad, and it tried to prepare us very well. However, there were certain issues such as racial identities and how categories of people were going to be received in the country of study, that were lacking in the dialogue. Otherwise, the administrators replied promptly with email and the communication was efficient.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

International Students Hostel I <br /><br /> Because Ghana's infrastructure is still developing, sometimes there would be no running water or the power would go out. Public health measures such as hand washing are not implemented or publicized, so personal hygiene was especially an area in which students needed to take initiative in order to remain healthy.

* Food:

Ghanaian diet does not have much variety.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Malaria is very common in Ghana, and it is nearly unpreventable.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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? $500/month
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Traveling, souvenirs

Language

Language acquisition improvement?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Ghana will offer a very unique and different experience than countries in more developed and industrialized countries. The experience may serve as an intellectual and personal stimulus if the student allows it to do so.