Program Overview

Are you ready to explore the development issues facing a West African country?

Studying abroad in Ghana will introduce you to both Ghanaian society and such issues as education, politics, social entrepreneurship, development, and globalization from a West African perspective. Through both formal and informal opportunities for engagement with Ghanaian students, NGOs, schools, and businesses, you will gain valuable insight into the challenges facing various communities in Ghana and the opportunities being created by local organizations and companies to overcome them.

Study abroad in Ghana and you will:

• Experience a combination of coursework, site visits, community engagement opportunities, and excursions to get a better understanding of the intersection of traditional culture and modern development in Ghana
• Develop basic communication skills in Twi, the principle native language of Ghana
• Meet with artisans, media professionals, women’s cooperatives and micro-finance organizations, and local schools
• Immerse yourself in Ghanaian history and culture through visits to inspiring landmarks, activities with the locals, and a rural homestay

The CIEE Difference

Coursework

Choose from a wide variety of business, development, and entrepreneurship courses including international marketing communication, management of NGOs, economic growth and development, and more. Students are also required to take two fascinating courses that link your business studies with life in Ghana:

• Globalization and Development in Africa—explore and analyze the basic concepts of globalization and how it impacts the development of Africa, and specifically Ghana
• Social Entrepreneurship—Study the many dimensions of new venture growth and learn how to foster innovation and new business formations in independent and corporate settings

Plus, you’ll take an interactive course on Twi language to help you in your interactions with Ghanaian business people.

Community Engagement and Rural Homestay

What better way to learn about the challenges facing your host country than by working in the community? You’ll partner with a local NGO, business, school, clinic, orphanage, or other organization to give back while putting the theories you learn in class to work—teach English and math to young children at the local school, help officials with an urban healthcare project, or work on a training program for girls and young women. No matter what you end up doing you’ll be making a difference and having fun in the process.

Plus, as part of this program you’ll spend a weekend living with a local family in a rural village. You’ll shadow villagers in their daily activities, meet with community leaders and business owners, learn local farming techniques, and more to study the challenges facing rural Ghanaians today.

Activities and Excursions

Meet with local businesspeople, entrepreneurs, artisans, media professionals, women’s cooperatives and micro-finance organizations, and local schools. Visit the peaceful Aburi Botanical Gardens, spectacular Wli Falls, and remote Dodi Island. Even spend a day perusing the artifacts housed in the National Museum of Ghana, or exploring the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, the final resting place of Ghana’s first president. You’ll get to do it all with CIEE.

Eligibility

• Overall GPA 3.0
• Junior standing or above
• Minimum of two courses beyond the introductory level (200 level and above) in business, development studies, sociology, African Studies, or international affairs
• Recommended: Minimum of one course in marketing, finance, or accounting

Recommended Credit

The Globalization and Development in Africa course includes 60 contact hours (25 hours of Seminar instruction + 100-130 hours of on-site practicum hours) for a recommended 4 semester / 6 quarter hours. All other courses include 45 contact hours for a recommended 3 semester / 4.5 quarter hours. Total recommended credit for the program is 16 semester / 24 quarter hours.

About the City

The CIEE Study Center is located in Legon, approximately 10 miles from Ghana’s capital city, Accra, at the University of Ghana. While still characterized by a vibrant atmosphere, Legon has a slower pace than the bustle of central Accra. However, due to its close proximity to Accra, students are able to experience firsthand the challenges of a large urban environment within an African context. Noticeably friendly, the people of Ghana make this experience one of the best opportunities for students to learn about the complexities of the African continent.

Where You'll Study

University of Ghana

As the oldest and largest of the six public universities in Ghana, the University of Ghana has an enrollment of more than 28,000 students and faculty of over 900. The University comprises faculties of agriculture and consumer sciences, arts, law, medicine, science, and social sciences; schools of Business, Nursing, and Public Health; and three agricultural research stations. The University also has institutes for African studies; international relations; journalism and communication; population studies; and statistical, social, and economic research, among others.

Ashesi University

As one of newest higher education institutions in Ghana, Ashesi University seeks to nurture excellence in scholarship, leadership, and citizenship in pursuit of its mission “to train a new generation of ethical and entrepreneurial leaders in Africa; to cultivate within [its] students the values of life-long learning, concern for others and the courage to think in a bold and enterprising way.” Ashesi University is accredited by Ghana's National Accreditation Board.

Housing & Meals

Housing is included in the program fee. Students have the choice of two housing options:
 

• On-Campus Dormitory—This option allows students to live in a University of Ghana residence hall on campus with CIEE, Ghanaian, and other international students. Students share double rooms and basic kitchen facilities. Meals are not included in the dormitory option. Students can prepare their own meals within the limited cooking facilities in the dormitory or eat at establishments on or off campus. Students living on campus can expect fewer amenities and more basic accommodations but do benefit from close interaction with Ghanaian and other African peers. The dormitory is a short walk from the CIEE Study Center.
   
• Homestay with Ghanaian Family—This option provides an excellent opportunity for immersion into the local culture and is strongly recommended for students who wish to take full advantage of their experience in Ghana. Breakfast and dinner are provided during the week; breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided on weekends. Lunches during the week are the responsibility of the student. Since homestay families are located throughout greater Accra (beyond Legon), in most cases students are required to utilize public transportation to and from the University, a 20- to 30-minute commute.

Academics

The CIEE Business, Development, and Social Entrepreneurship program is based at the CIEE Study Center at the University of Ghana in Legon. Students enroll in a combination of CIEE, University of Ghana, and Ashesi University courses. All courses are taught by local university faculty. The program is offered in both the fall and spring semesters and may be combined with the CIEE Legon Arts and Sciences program for a full academic year in Ghana.

All students are required to enroll in a CIEE Twi language course, the CIEE course Globalization and Development in Africa, one University of Ghana course from a pre-selected list of subjects, and the Ashesi University Social Entrepreneurship course. Participants must also enroll in one University of Ghana course from a pre-selected list of subjects and the Ashesi University Social Entrepreneurship course. Students may then select one additional elective course from either the University of Ghana or Ashesi University.

Academic Culture

At the University of Ghana and Ashesi University, CIEE students enroll in regular courses alongside Ghanaian and other international students. The specific CIEE courses are for CIEE students only. Students often notice striking differences between their home educational system and the Ghanaian system. Following the British model, this system offers a less structured environment that requires students to take greater responsibility and initiative. 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 the University of Ghana are very large, thus making classroom interaction with the professor very rare. In contrast, courses at Ashesi University are generally smaller, seminar-style courses that encourage interaction between students and faculty. CIEE courses are designed to be small and interactive. The CIEE Globalization and Development in Africa course combines a seminar course with an integrated practicum (internship) experience. The academic program is carefully structured in order to allow students at least one and a half days each week for their practicum.

Nature of Classes

CIEE classes are for CIEE students only. University of Ghana and Ashesi University courses are taken together with local Ghanaian and other international students.

Grading System

Final grades in CIEE courses are based on a combination of attendance, participation, papers, presentations, and a final paper, exam, or presentation. In University of Ghana courses, students are normally graded solely on a final exam, or a mid-term and final exam.

Language of Instruction

All area studies courses are taught in English. The Twi language course is designed to help students develop basic communication skills in Twi. The use of Twi will allow students to communicate more effectively and openly with members of the communities in which they are completing their practicum.

Faculty

All courses are taught by local Ghanaian faculty, most of whom have faculty appointments at the University of Ghana and Ashesi University.