Location
Accra, Winneba, Cape Coast, Ghana
Program Description
THE 4-WEEK SUMMER ABROAD PROGRAM:
The 4-Week Summer Abroad Program in Ghana is the oldest JMU program on the continent of Africa. 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. During the weeks of morning classes at the University of Ghana, students get opportunities to visit local sites on topics presented in the lectures. We also have volunteer opportunities for our students. Students will visit several important national museums, take field trips to the historic Asante kingdom capital of Kumasi, engage with nationally respected NGO-leaders and have opportunity for volunteer/engaged learning.
THE GHANA INTERNSHIP PROGRAM:
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. All students will be required to complete assigned academic readings.
Student journals are collected and evaluated by faculty. These writings are also the basis for program discussions. The Ghana program provides students with exciting and rewarding internship placements. In the past 15 year, we have placed students at the following sites:
Accra (Glona After-school literacy) where your afternoon volunteer site becomes a full day engagement with local underrepresented and undeserved children Accra (New Horizon Special School for Children with autism) where you will work with dedicated staff and teachers Accra (Kufuor Presidential Leadership Foundation) where JMU students are the only non-local university students to be placed. You have the opportunity to meet many young Ghanaian college-age scholars. -
Winneba (Municipal Hospital and Health Sciences/Care experiences) where you will shadow doctors and nurses at the hospital and to the community to provide health services and education.
Program = 2 courses = 6 credits
Internship = 1 course = 3 credits
Progam & Internship = 3 courses = 9 credits
Location Description
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. Major airlines, such as United, Delta, British Airways, Brussels Air, KLM and many others connect.
Kumasi, the second largest city in Ghana, was also the historic capital of the Asante Kingdom. Our trips to Cape Coast and Elmina will take us for visits to two of the well-preserved UNESCO Heritage Trust Slave Castles in Africa.
Dr. Owusu-Ansah, the founder of the Ghana Summer Program at JMU is also known for his scholarship of the country and he is the author of the series editions of the Ghana Historical Dictionary. In other words, JMU knows Ghana! Ghana is a peaceful democratic African country with a history of welcoming its guests!
Director
Adebayo Ogundipe | ogundiaa@jmu.edu | Engineering
Internship Director: David Owusu-Ansah | owusuadx@jmu.edu | History/AAAD Studies
Accommodations
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. Also, there are swimming pools and conference rooms at each of the hotels where we reside.
Please remind us if you have any food allergies!
THE GHANA INTERNSHIP PROGRAM:
Additional Items to Consider
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. By CGE rules, your passport must NOT EXPIRE before December 2025!
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. There are wonderful and good hospitals in Ghana, and we know this from 28 years of taking students there.
The program director will arrange for you to receive the required Ghana entry visa.
All undergraduate and graduate students from JMU and any other accredited post-secondary institution are qualified to participate in the Ghana program.
Ghana is an English-speaking country.
Applicant Criteria
Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.0.
Open to all majors and class levels, including graduate students.
A promise of good behavior and respect toward peers, faculty and Ghanaian culture!
Students will be required to sign a good behavior contract.
Open to non-JMU students
Application Process
This list serves as an application preview. To apply, students will need to complete the following:
- Study Abroad Online Application ($40 fee)
- Short Essay
- Interview with Program Director may be required (for internship)
- Official transcript required for non-JMU students
Further details and instructions about these application requirements will be available upon log-in.
Application Deadline
Dates
All dates are tentative and subject to change
Courses
ANTH 391: Special Topics in Anthropology: JMU Summer in Ghana (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM ONLY
ANTH 486: Internship in Anthropology (3 credits) INTERNSHIP ONLY
ART 200: Art in General Culture (3 credits) INTERNSHIP ONLY
ENG 294: Internship in English (3 credits) INTERNSHIP ONLY
ENG 377: Introduction to African Literature (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM ONLY
ENGR 480: Electives (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM OR INTERNSHIP
ENGR 498: Special Topics (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM ONLY
GEOG 495: Internship in Geology (3 credits) INTERNSHIP ONLY
HIST 263: Introduction to African History (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM ONLY
HIST 391: Travel Studies (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM OR INTERNSHIP
HIST 470: Modern Africa (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM ONLY
HUM 252: Global Cultures (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM ONLY
IDLS 391: Study Abroad Field Studies (3 or 6 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM OR INTERNSHIP
ISAT 480: International Sustainability Projects (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM OR INTERNSHIP
POSC 371: Special Topics in Comparative Politics: JMU Summer in Ghana (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM OR INTERNSHIP
PSYC 261: Special Topics in Psychology: JMU Summer in Ghana (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM OR INTERNSHIP
REL 491: Religion and Society in Ghana (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM ONLY
SCOM 395: Communication Studies Abroad Seminar (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM OR INTERNSHIP
SOCI 391: Special Topics in Sociology: JMU Summer in Ghana (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM OR INTERNSHIP
SOCI 492: Internship in Sociology (3 credits) INTERNSHIP ONLY
SOWK 487: Special Topics in Social Work: JMU Summer in Ghana (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM OR INTERNSHIP
THEA 303: Topics in Theater (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM ONLY
THEA 495: Internship in Theatre (3 credits) INTERNSHIP ONLY
WGSS 495: Special Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (3 credits) 4-WEEK PROGRAM ONLY
THEA 495: Internship in Theatre (3 credits) INTERNSHIP
Courses listed here are to be used as a general guideline for program curriculum. *All courses are considered pending until approved by the Academic Department, Program, and/or College.
Cost
MSC 5731
100 East Grace Street
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
