CIEE Study Center at the University of Ghana in Legon, Ghana

  Ghana

Legon

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 
Dates: Fall 17 weeks: mid-August-mid-December; Spring 17 weeks: mid-January-mid-May; Academic Year 38 weeks: mid-August-mid-May

Description: Established in 1994, the CIEE Study Center at the University of Ghana provides an opportunity for students from all academic disciplines to live and study in Ghana, learning first-hand about the country and its people, while continuing to pursue their own academic goals. These goals are achieved through integrated study with Ghanaian students and immersion into the cultural and social life of the University and the surrounding community.

Academic Program
The University of Ghana has a wide range of traditional offerings similar to undergraduate programs at U.S. colleges and universities. The program provides an opportunity for students from all academic disciplines to live and study in Ghana, learning first-hand about the country and its people, while continuing to pursue their own academic goals. These goals are achieved through integrated study with Ghanaian students and immersion into the cultural and social life of the University and the surrounding community. The program also offers a Development Studies Track, described on the next page.

Academic Culture
Students are required to undertake a full program of courses, including all prescribed assignments and written exams. Teaching methods at the University normally involve a mixture of lectures, tutorials, seminars and, in the sciences, laboratory classes.

Students will notice striking differences between their home educational system and the Ghanaian system. This system, following the British model, allows students greater responsibility and initiative in a less structured environment. Courses may involve relatively few contact hours each week, since professors expect a great deal of individual study. Learning by rote is the model most often used in classes. This entails professors reading from notes or books, with the expectation that students copy word for word their recitation. Most classes at University of Ghana are very large, thus making classroom interaction with the professor very rare.

For semester participants, the program includes one week of orientation, thirteen teaching weeks, one week of review, and two weeks of examinations. For academic year participants, the program includes one week of orientation, followed by two semesters, each containing thirteen teaching weeks, one week of review, and two weeks of exams. There is a four-week break between semesters.

Highlights:

• Students become participants in and contributors to Ghanaian intellectual, cultural, economic, and social life
  
• Community involvement through independent study options, excursions, student clubs, and volunteer activities
  
• Wide range of courses including West African performing arts, Twi language, and African studies
  
• Development Studies Track in social and economic development in Ghana

Immersion
Volunteering
Students can volunteer in local businesses, social services, and cultural institutions, as well as assist in local schools.

Students who want to volunteer or get involved in a community service project (not for academic credit) are encouraged to do so. Previously, students have volunteered in hospitals and health clinics, the Ghana National Museum, various NGOs, day care centers, elementary and junior high schools, and a Liberian refugee camp.

Through the Voluntary Work Camps Association of Ghana (additional fee) students are also able to participate in a variety of rural work camps. Students may participate, usually for two to four weeks, in a number of community service activities after the end of the fall and spring semesters.

Student Activities and Clubs
Opportunities are available to join music, theater, or art groups; participate in athletics; and attend lectures, discussions, and receptions. Sports such as soccer, basketball, field hockey, and tennis are popular with Ghanaian students.

U-Pals
Local University students, or U-Pals, assist CIEE participants with day-to-day matters, organize various social events, and help students to adjust to their new environment both at the University and in Legon.

Cost in US$: See below for CIEE fees

The CIEE fees for 2007-08 include tuition, housing, optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, excursions to locations such as Kumasi and the Cape Coast, field trips in the greater Accra area (such as the Aburi Botanical Garden and Dodi Island), host institution identity card (for access to library, sports facilities, computer labs), admission fees to host university events, immersion activities, a comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Experience Required: yes