VCU Summer in Ghana

  Ghana

• Accra: 
Accra

Term: Summer 
Dates: May 21-June 6

Description: The Office of International Education, the African American Studies Department and the VCU Psychology Department are pleased to offer a unique opportunity for students to conduct research in Ghana. This study abroad program will provide an educational experience in designing and conducting research in a non-western cultural environment. Participants will study important issues in cultural psychology, learn about Ghanaian culture and conduct research. Students will explore Ghanaian society while identifying and describing cultural themes and perspectives in the field of cultural psychology. This program will take you on an academic and experiential journey into the captivating complexity of Ghanaian culture.

Course description

This course will engage students in a structured academic and cultural experience in Richmond, Va., and Accra, Ghana. The course first examines how culture affects the way that the human mind operates, thereby shaping aspects of human psychology such as emotions, behavior and motivation. The course will then examine several aspects of Ghanaian culture. Finally, students will participate in a research project that explores an aspect of Ghanaian behavior.

Vivian Dzokoto, Ph.D., is originally from Ghana and graduated from the University of Ghana and worked as a teaching assistant at the university during the 1997-98 academic school year. Dzokoto conducts research in Ghana every year and has worked on research projects involving various Ghanaian sub-populations, focusing on mental health, economic psychology and emotion. She has been involved in two cross-cultural immersion programs in Ghana with the School of International Training's Experiment in International Living (EIL) and Global Leadership Adventures (GLA).

Highlights: There will be excursions to the following cultural sites: Cape Cost Castle and the Kakum National Park in the central region of Ghana (day trip) and the Manhyia Palace and Bonwire Kente Weaving Village in the Ashanti region of Ghana (overnight stay). In addition, students will go on a neighborhood tour of Accra and visit the Accra Market, the University of Ghana's Botanical Gardens, the National Museum, the Accra Cultural Center, and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum.

Transportation for group tours will be buses provided by AG Leisure Services Ltd. For culture exposure, students will take public transportation in groups for some class exercises and some research activities.

Participants will be housed at the University of Ghana's For Foundation Guest Center in Legon, Accra, Ghana or the Apaade Lodge in Tesano, a suburb of Accra. The final decision about accommodations will be based on availability, which depends on the total number of students enrolled in the program. Most meals are included.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: USD 1,820

USD 1,820 plus airfare and VCU tuition

The program fee is USD 1,820 and includes the following:

* Accommodations
* Most meals
* Guest lectures
* Study visits and tours
* On-site program director
* Application fee and deposit
* Pre-departure orientation
* VCU administrative fees
* International Student Identification Card

The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:

* Airfare
* VCU tuition and fees
* Some meals
* Passport application fee
* Visa fee
* Personal expenses during the program (estimated at USD400)
* Anything not specifically mentioned above

Please budget for these additional expenses.

Experience Required: yes

This program is open to students from varied backgrounds and assumes students have some background in one or more of the following by May 2010: * Statistics (equivalent to an undergraduate course in applications of statistics) * Research methods in a Social Science/Humanities area * African American Studies, African Studies, International Studies, (equivalent to at least one undergraduate course in either) Students must have a 2.0 GPA or higher in order to participate in the VCU summer study abroad program.

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home