CIEE Study Center at the Ashesi University in Accra, Ghana

  Ghana

• Accra: 
Accra

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

Description: The CIEE Study Center at Ashesi University 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
Students may choose from offerings among Ashesi University's liberal arts core, business administration, or computer science curricula. In addition, students can select from Ashesi University's interdisciplinary Africana Studies Program courses. The Africana Studies Program is a multi-disciplinary program with courses in African music and dance, archaeology, business, history, philosophy, political science, and sociology. This curriculum is further enhanced by incorporating service-learning opportunities into classes.

The Resident Director assists interested program participants in organizing an independent study project. More information on the independent study can be found in the course listing.

Academic Culture
The Ashesi class schedule is based on a semester system, with students typically taking four courses per semester. Courses meet for 42 classroom hours and 14 discussion/lab hours. Ashesi University's classes are very interactive, a rare feature in most institutions of higher learning in Ghana. This is made possible due to the low student-professor ratio. At Ashesi, students play an active role in the classroom setting, participating in debates, discussions, and presentations which count towards final grades.

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

Highlights:

• Enroll in a wide range of courses at one of Ghana's most prestigious private universities
  
• Study alongside local Ghanaian and international students in business, computer science, political science, and Africana studies
  
• Participate in service-learning opportunities, community service, and volunteer opportunities in Accra
  
• Experience the Ashesi advantage through small classes

Immersion
Volunteering
Students may volunteer in local businesses, social services, and cultural institutions, as well as assist in local schools. Service-learning plays an important role in the Ashesi University curriculum, and students can expect many opportunities to learn outside of the classroom while also giving back to the local community.

U-Pals
Local Ashesi 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 Accra.

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, Elmina, and Aburi Botanical Gardens and some field trips in the greater Accra area, host institution identity card (for access to library, sports facilities, computer labs), admission fees to host university events, immersion activities, a comprehensive student handbook, predeparture advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

Experience Required: yes