Semester in Ghana
Program Information
Spend a semester in the historic and culturally rich coastal city of Cape Coast, Ghana. Set amongst idyllic beaches and home to Cape Coast Castle, this program offers a spectacular insight into local culture with an academic focus. Courses are all taught in English by local Ghanaian faculty, with a focus on African studies and a wide range of electives from Democratization and Development to Twi Language and Music. In addition to academic coursework, students participate in meaningful group service projects with communities in and around Cape Coast, experience cultural and adventure excursions from drumming to Ghanaian cooking, and reside with homestay families to make for a comprehensive, authentic, fully integrated experience abroad.
Cape Coast is a town steeped in history and surrounded by beauty. In the 17th century, Cape Coast grew from a small fishing village to an important trading port and the center of West Africa's slave trade, later becoming the first capital of Britain's Gold Coast colony. Today, this vibrant town is capital of Ghana's Central Region and home to over 100,000 people and some of the country's leading academic institutions. Students of the semester program have the unique opportunity of studying and living alongside the local students and community members.
To round out the experience, students will participate in service learning projects in Cape Coast based on community needs and participant skills and interests. Students live with local homestay families and participate in cultural excursions and workshops throughout the semester. Cultural and adventure activities are planned to some of the most beautiful and historic sites and engaging communities. Come experience the vibrant atmosphere of Ghana, enhance your academics, and experience true immersion through community engagement.
Highlights
During the semester, students can expect cultural or outdoor adventures as well as project outings. Excursions may include:
- Tour Cape Coast Castle and/or Elmina Castle
- Visit Kakum National Park and walk across the famous canopy walk
- Spend an afternoon or weekend away at one of the area's beautiful beaches
- Participate in cultural workshops including African drumming and dancing, Ghanaian cooking, and batik making
- Take part in a local community eco-tourism project either visiting a local community rock shrine or spending the night in a tree house on the edge of Kakum National Park
- Take a weekend trip to Kumasi, the royal capital of the Ashanti state & Bonwire Village, one of the traditional Kente stools where you can see Kente cloth being woven
Housing
Accommodations are provided with a local Ghanian family in a private room with a shared bathroom. Most meals will be provided.
Curriculum
Semester in Ghana students are enrolled at Jacksonville University. Jacksonville University accredits the program and provides transcripts upon successful completion. Students may choose from a variety of academic courses. Courses are all conducted in English.
It is recommended that students take 2-4 culture courses which include:
ASP 101: The Evolution and Development of African Studies
ASP 202: Language and Ethnicity in Africa
ASP 103: Religion of Africa
ASP 104: Traditional African Music in Contemporary Africa and New trends in African Music
ASP 105: Women and Development in Africa
ASP 106: Culture, Democratization and Development
ASP 107: The African Family ASP 008: African in Dispersion
ASP 109: The slave and colonialism in Africa
ASP 110: Africa in World Affairs
ASP 111: Governance and Democracy in Traditonal Africa
ASP 112: African Cultures and Civilizations
ASP 113: Ghanaian Culture
ASP 114: Themes in African Lit
ASP 115:Pan-Africanism and Nationalist Movements in Africa
ASP 116: Music in African Cultures
HIS 401- History of West Africa 1900-1970
For a list of course descriptions of the culture courses, please click here.
Students may choose to complement these cultural courses with other offerings available throughout the University of Cape Coast.
Development Projects and Service-Learning
In addition to classroom and field studies, Semester in Ghana participants have the opportunity to learn more about community development in Cape Coast through hands-on development projects. Projects complement academic studies for a few hours a week, typically on some weekends.
Semester projects are in conjunction with ProGhana, a local subsidiary of ProWorld Service Corps. Projects are chosen by Site Directors based on the needs of communities and may include:
- Construction of local schools
- Participation in health outreach
- Education enrichment activities at local schools
- Small business assistance
Prerequisites and Academic Information
Good academic standing at your home university
A positive attitude and a will to help
Credits: 12 - 16
Project hours: 56
Average class hours per credit: 14
Accreditation: Jacksonville University (JU)
Language of Instruction: English
Program Dates
Spring 2010
Fall 2010
Cost
$9,850
Included
- 12 - 16 credits, tuition, fees, books and transcripts from JU
- Academic classes four to five days per week
- Intensive group orientation
- Full room and board with a local family
- Four to six group development project outings
- $400 contributed directly to development projects
- Airport pickup in Cape Coast
- Health and Travel Insurance
- Cultural and adventure excursions
- 24 hour emergency contact on-site
- Regular staff check-ins and access to office in Cape Coast
How to Apply
- Fill out the IEP Application and review information on the Apply page.
- Pay a $200 deposit to International Education Programs.
- Send an official transcript from your home institution to the address below.
Send the above materials to:
International Education Programs
Jacksonville University
2800 University Blvd North
Gooding 105
Jacksonville, Florida 32211
