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Study Abroad + Volunteeer Service: Ghana

Location: Ghana: Accra

Term: Fall, Spring

Program Duration: 5-8 weeks, 3-6 months (includes high school academic semester abroad), 7-12 months (includes high school academic year abroad)

Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months

International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership

http://www.ipsl.org/

1515 SW 5th Ave. Suite 606 Portland, OR 97201 United States

Call Us

Phone: (503) 954-1812/(503)395-4775

Fax: (503) 954-1881

Download the Brochure
Description

The program is based at University of Ghana, Legon and the Aya Centre for Intercultural Awareness and Development. The well-equipped facilities at both the University and the Aya Centre (where classes will be held) complement the high quality of faculty and students. Students may participate in campus clubs, university sports, music and any other activities of interest and there are many opportunities for students to interact with their peers (both Ghanaian and foreign). You will take two required courses and 2-3 electives for a total of 1316 credits per semester. A transcript from the University of Ghana, Legon is issued upon successful completion of the program. Unless otherwise noted, courses are at the 300 level except for any foreign language course that will vary. Students may visit the University of Ghana website for examples of available courses. As on your home campus, class schedules and availability may change.

Volunteer Service Examples:
Following are examples of agencies where IPSL students have served in the past or may be able to serve. Other service placements may be available. Your placement will be determined by community and agency needs, logistics, as well as your interests, goals, and skills.

* Gloria's Health Clinic
* West African AIDS Foundation
* Environmental Protection Agency
* Women's Initiative for Self-Empowerment (WISE)
* International Federation of Women Lawyers
* Beacon House Orphanage
* Anani Memorial International School
* GAFA Micro Finance Company
* United Way, Ghana
* Autism Centre
* Institute of Economic Affairs

Excursions:
Overnight and day guided academic excursions, accompanied by the Aya Centre and University of Ghana faculty and staff occur throughout the semester and may include visits to the four regions of Ghana: Greater Accra Region, Central Region, Kumasi Region and the Volta Region.

Housing:
You live in a homestay with a Ghanaian family, who provides your breakfast, and dinner and introduces you to family life. An integral part of the program, the homestay offers you the opportunity to make life-long friends, and experience the culture from "the inside." Host families are carefully selected and experienced with hosting students.

Highlights

At the University of Ghana (the oldest and largest of the six public Universities in Ghana), students have an opportunity to enroll in elective courses of their choice directly with Ghanaian students and other international students. Living with an African family, studying with African students, and volunteering in non-profits and NGOs with local residents ensures a rich, immersive experience that will help you understand the richness of Africa. With a wide range of service opportunities, students can volunteer in the health field, in environmental agencies, with children, working on women's issues and much more.

This unique IPSL program has been developed to build an on-going commitment to the Accra community through a variety of service-learning placements in partnership with local NGOs. IPSL, in partnership with the University of Ghana, Legon and the Aya Centre for Cultural Awareness and Development, offers to students both a short term summer option and a traditional semester program of study abroad and service-learning. This program includes substantive social and/or environmental service-learning placements. There are opportunities to learn about the people and culture of Ghana as well as learn the Twi language while selecting a variety of other course electives from the University. Most students elect to take 16 credits per semester and 6 - 9 credits per summer.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications

IPSL welcomes applicants from all nations and backgrounds. Minimum age is 18 and gap year, college students and graduates are encouraged to apply. There are no special qualifications to volunteer. TOEFL equivalent 550. Minimum GPA is 2.5.

Minimum Education

High School

Languages
  • English

Cost in US$:

Please see IPSL website

Cost Include Description:

Credit Available

yes

Volunteer Types
  • AIDS
  • Anthropology
  • Building/construction Projects
  • Childcare/children
  • Community Development
  • Community Health
  • Community Organizing
  • Food
  • Gender Issues
  • Health
  • Health Care
  • Health Education
  • Hospital
  • Housing
  • Human Rights
  • Literacy
  • Sanitation
  • Small Business Development
  • Teaching
  • Tutor
  • Water
  • Women
  • Youth
Age Range
18+
This Program is open to

Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements
  • Home-stays

Participants Travel to Ghana

Independently

Application Process Involves
  • Letters of Reference
  • Online Application plus Application Assessment
  • Transcript
Typically The Application Process Time is
1 week
Post Services Include
  • Alumni Network
  • Exit Debriefing Abroad
International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership's Mission Statement

IPSL has two related missions: 1) offering programs uniting academic study and volunteer service to the community in international/intercultural settings that are models for the practice of service-learning, and 2) promoting the theory and practice of service-learning through research, publications, conferences, and training. IPSL endeavors to engage students, educators, and community members in the union of service and learning so that all may become more civically engaged, interculturally literate, internationally aware, and responsive to the needs of others.

Year Founded

1982

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