Semester in Ghana

Students will live at the University of Ghana, about seven miles north of the center Accra. The University of Ghana was founded as an affiliate school of the University of London in 1948 and has since grown to encompass a student body of nearly 24,000.

The following interim course must be taken during January:

• STGH 211: Christianity in West Africa: A Ghanaian Perspective

During February to May, students will take 4-5 courses. All will take the following 2 courses with the Calvin Director:

• STGH 2XX: The Politics of Contemporary Africa through the Country Lens of Ghana: Africa is often portrayed in the United States as a contingent of crisis rooted in tribalism, political violence, and economic mismanagement. This course goes beyond these images and stereotypes to place the peoples and states of Africa within the shared history of the modern world. The course is divided into four parts. The first part provides an overview of the historical factors that have shaped contemporary politics, including ancient civilizations, the Atlantic slave trade, colonialism, and nationalist struggles. In the second part of the course, we will look at the social structure of modern Africa and economic issues. In the third part of the course, our attention shifts from the political history of contemporary Africa and Africa's socio-cultural context to a concern with democracy, leadership, and civil society. The final part of the course delves into Africa’s relationship with the wider world. While addressing these issues, we will participate in Ghanaian excursions that illustrate specific topics, for example, visiting Ashanti chieftancies, the Elmina Slave Castle and perhaps even Ghana’s parliament. Indeed, Ghana will be the country lens through which we will explore all the said issues.
• STGH 3XX: Ghana Semester Practicum: Culture and Ethnography: Students will be placed in a Ghanaian organization (e.g. NGO or social service organization, for a minimum of 80 hours) to gain hands-on experience related to the work of the organization.  Through the practicum experience, students will gain a better understanding of the day-to-day work of practitioners.  In addition, students will develop and implement a research project related to the organization, utilizing such skills as participative investigation, proposal writing, program evaluation and report writing. CCE
   

Students will also choose one or two direct enroll elective courses, taught by instructors at the University of Ghana (3-6 semester hours). Learn more about direct-enroll transfer credits in academic services.

Course Fulfillments

All courses may be applied to the Africa track of the African and African diaspora studies minor. Some courses may be used to fulfill elective requirements for the international development studies (IDS) major and minor. The program qualifies to satisfy the study-abroad requirement for the IDS major and minor.

You will live on the campus of the University of Ghana at Legon (about 7 miles north of the center of Accra) in an international dormitory. You can stay with a Calvin roommate, but you may also choose to live with an international or Ghanian roommate.

The program cost for interim and the spring semester is expected to be within $3000 of Calvin tuition and room and board on campus. More specific cost information will be sent with your acceptance letter. The final program cost is based on many factors and is not known exactly until the number of students in the group has been identified. The financial information page covers the details that go into the cost of the program and rough estimates for each. The cost for the Ghana semester program will include:

• Tuition
• Full room and board
• Administrative fee
• Program-related excursions

Additional expenses not included in the program fee: passport, visa, books, medical insurance (required), required immunizations, personal spending money and personal travel.

You must have achieved sophomore status with a grade point average of at least 2.5 to study in Ghana. Preference is given to juniors and seniors when there are more applicants than spots in the program.

If you're interested in participating in this off-campus program, click the button below for a checklist that will walk you through the application process.

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