Study abroad in Ghana and discover a vibrant mix of history, culture, and community in one of West Africa's most welcoming countries. Ghana study abroad programs offer a meaningful opportunity to connect with a rich cultural heritage and dynamic academic environment!
As sub-sahara’s first colonial country to gain independence, Ghana has enhanced its educational system and granted more political freedom (Ghana is officially a constitutional democracy). As a result, Ghana experiences fewer episodes of political chaos and widespread discontent than its neighboring countries.
Regardless of where you study, a semester or year in Ghana will leave you more culturally enriched (if not tanner).
Ghana was the first country south of the Sahara in Africa to gain political independence from British colonial rule. Ghana is a democracy where education and freedom of the press are valued and defended.
Ghana borders Togo, Burkino Faso, and the Ivory Coast and is roughly the size of Oregon.
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Why Choose Ghana for Study Abroad?
Experience the vibrant flora and fauna of West Africa, a biodiverse region full of golden beaches, mountains, savannas, and tropical rainforests.
Ghanaian culture is strongly family-orientated. Any loss that a family member incurs is deeply dishonorable to the entire family, making Ghana more societal than individual-focused. In a culture where family and the community are so important, you can imagine what an enriching experience it would be to participate in dances, drumming festivals, and other communal events. Of course, you will need to find time for studying but who says there’s anything wrong with having a balance.
Considered to be some of the friendliest people on earth, you will be welcomed with open arms by the people of Accra. Locals occasionally invite international students to special experiences like weddings and other cultural events, which gives a glimpse into the beauty of Ghanaian culture.
Universities in Ghana are large-ranging from 10,000 to 17,000-but each university is broken into Faculties or colleges. There are nearly 18 technical schools in Ghana and 21 training colleges. Make sure you choose a university that has your preferred program.
As with many post-colonial African nations, Ghana’s official language is English.
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Obtaining a visa to study in Ghana is not any more difficult than obtaining a visa to study elsewhere.
Programs and Opportunities
You can also extend your experience beyond the classroom through ISEP-facilitated community engagement opportunities. This program enables students to volunteer at one of over a dozen sites to serve and learn in the local communities. At these organizations you are often encouraged to contribute your own project ideas that suit your skills.
Students will spend approximately 20-30 hours in a Ghanaian village school field placement, tutoring in culturally sustaining literacy practices, and leading children in a critical literacy project that examines depictions of African history and culture in children’s literature.
While abroad, you may enhance your academic experience by completing a full- or part-time internship in Ghana. This unique opportunity allows you to gain real-world international work experience, expand your professional network, and develop valuable skills that complement your studies.
The Ghana Internship allows students practical and hands-on learning experiences with respected NGOs, volunteering, and educational/literacy instructor opportunities at inner-city after-school locations. Students with an interest in special education can support programs for children with autism, shadow and work with nurses and doctors or have the opportunity to join Ghanaian interns at the Kufour Presidential Foundation.
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Imagine spending your free time volunteering with primates at a local NGO or teaching soccer to local children in under-resourced communities. Use your skillsets to give back to the local community through the volunteering component of this program.
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Available Programs
- ISEP Study Abroad: ISEP students studying in Ghana thrive in fields such as African studies, business, geography and resource development, agriculture, social sciences and public health. We encourage students to deepen their experience by taking the 3-credit Twi language class as part of their program.
- SIT Study Abroad: All SIT programs, including SIT Ghana, are supported by long-standing relationships within communities around the world. All students take a beginner-level Asante Twi language course to help them engage more deeply with the local community, and to prepare for the hands-on, month-long internship or independent research project, a hallmark of SIT programs.
- CIEE Study Abroad: When you enroll in a CIEE study abroad program in Ghana, you'll explore the arts and history and immerse yourself in local life through engaging hands-on activities.
- JMU 4-Week Summer Abroad Program: In partnership with the University of Ghana and a select number of local Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), our students gain knowledge in multiple disciplines--from history to religion to social work, applied engineering, and health sciences.
- Tufts in Ghana program: Historically, Tufts has partnered with the University of Ghana (UG) to offer the Tufts in Ghana program. The program is open to Tufts undergraduate juniors and seniors who meet the general eligibility requirements. Students from all academic majors are encouraged to apply.
Life in Ghana
Accra, the capital and second largest city in Ghana, is also one of Africa’s fastest growing cities, with the current population around 2.6 million and a 2% annual population increase. It is also an extremely young city, with about 57% of the population under the age of 25. Accra is a center for manufacturing, marketing, finance, insurance, and transportation. While English is the official language and lingua franca of Ghana, about 80 languages are spoken.
Live in an on-campus student hostel and connect with a global community of fellow international students. Surrounding campus there are many restaurants serving a variety of different cuisines from around the world like Mexican, Chinese, and more. Street food in Ghana is also abundant, affordable, and delicious. For example, snack on Kelewele (deep fried plantains) or dig into a succulent rice and bean dish called Waakye while you are in Accra.
Within Accra, transportation is easy (as the city is relatively small compared to other capital cities) and Trotros (trolly buses), taxis, Uber, and Lyft are readily available. Accra is close to the beach (Labadi Beach), the mountains, shopping, and tourist destinations.
Accra is very hot and very humid. Some nights the temperature drops to only 80 degrees. While some classrooms have air-conditioning, but most don’t. Staying hydrated is very important!
Housing and Meals
Students live with a local host family in Accra for the first month of the program, learning about Ghanaian culture through sharing meals, daily life, and language practice with the family. All host families are located within a 30-minute walk to the SIT program center. All meals are covered, either through a stipend or with the host family. Students stay in hostels and hotels for the second and third months of the program as they travel to other parts of Ghana. Note that students may choose to live in in Accra or any other part of Ghana for the third month of the program while they complete an independent study project or internship.
We provide off-campus accommodation at comfortable hotels in Accra and at all locations associated with our program such as in Kumasi, Cape Coast/Elmina, and Akosombo. All our hotels are air-conditioned, and have hot water. Program fees include accommodation coverage as described above. Additionally, breakfast and dinner are covered. Please remind us if you have any food allergies! For the period that we are outside Accra and on the road to historic and cultural sites (about 10 days of the program), students receive all meals as part of the program fees. Otherwise, the program covers breakfast and dinner each day as part of the program fees. Such allowances will be provided for students to seek meal variety.
Students in the 4-week academic program are provided with breakfast and dinner, but students must plan to spend their own money each day to cover lunch.
Excursions
Kick off your experience with an Accra city tour offered during orientation to help you learn how to navigate your new city. Explore the region with other international students through guided excursions, which have included a visit to the Cape Coast Castle to learn about the history of the slave trade and Atlantic slave crossing, crossing the popular rope bridge at Kakum National Park, and a journey to nearby villages that specialize in weaving and woodcarving.
Nearby excursions to natural wonders could include a visit to Mole National Park, Wili Falls (the highest waterfall in Africa), Mount Afadjato, and Tafi Atomi monkey sanctuary.
SIT organizes co-curricular activities and excursions throughout the semester as a complement to the SIT Ghana curriculum, and to help students learn more about their local surroundings and the variety of sites and communities throughout Ghana. During the first month of the program in Accra, visits include museums, markets, start-ups, and Parliamentary buildings.
In addition to work at the internship sites as described, students will have opportunities to travel to UNESCO Heritage sites of the transatlantic slave trade, the Canopy Walk at Kakum, Local Craft Markets, and historic museums.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Students may fund study abroad by using financial aid, scholarships, grants and personal funds.
All students will be required to seek entry visas to Ghana. Our program directors will work with students on the visa application process. Please make sure that you have a valid passport.
All students are required to have valid passports to travel and must boost the COVID-19 vaccination. The Ghana program also requires immunization for yellow fever, and typhoid fever shot or oral treatment as well as your malaria pills. Please talk to your family doctor if you have any condition(s) that can affect your travel or affect the immunization requirements.
Here are some scholarship opportunities:
- FACULTY-LED PROGRAM GRANT (Up to $1,500): All degree-seeking students who apply to their faculty-led program by the priority deadline are automatically considered for a grant of up to $1,500 from the Padnos International Center. Students must have a current FAFSA on file to be eligible.
- James F. and Virginia L. Goode Global Programs Scholarship: The purpose of the scholarship is to reduce the financial pressure on students and their families and make a Grand Valley education accessible to students from all backgrounds. This need-based scholarship will ensure that financial need does not become a barrier to intellectual and personal growth for students planning to study abroad.
Resident Director
You will be in great hands with Theresa Kwakye, the on-site ISEP Resident Director that will support you throughout the program.
Theresa Scott Kwakye is a native of Washington, D.C., and has spent the last 35 years living and working in Ghana. Theresa was employed in various roles before coming to the University of Ghana in 1991 and beginning her work in international education. After receiving a master’s degree in African studies from the University of Ghana, she became the Resident Director for ISEP Study Abroad in Legon.
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