Education Abroad

Why Study in Accra?       

The summer Accra program is ideal for students who wish to combine a formal academic perspective of Ghanaian culture with field trips and tours that provide a unique opportunity to visit Ghana's most important historical landmarks and rich cultural environment. The summer Accra program offers one 6-week session offering students a wide variety of courses exploring African culture, literature and politics.

One of the highlights of this program is that you will be totally integrated at the university. You are able to live and study on campus alongside native Ghanaians while experiencing the culture, learning about the country and making friends.

Accra and Ghana

The city of Accra is flourishing -- the streets are clean and paved, the electricity is mostly stable and new shopping centers emerge frequently. It is a sprawling city with no true "city center." Instead, it is made up of numerous neighborhoods, each with its own distinct flavor. It is also home to several museums and private galleries, including the National Museum with its collection of traditional Ghanaian art, the National Archives, the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Supreme Court and Parliament buildings, cinemas and many diverse markets. Musical protégé Stevie Wonder has a house in Accra, perhaps as a place from which to take in the sophisticated blend of jazz, Latin and traditional beats which make Accra a music lover's delight.

Ghana was the first country on the African continent to gain independence after colonization. Having been occupied by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, Ghana still maintains much of the culture from these countries. Castles dot the landscape and forts and palaces are still in use in many parts of the country. Ghana has many miles of beautiful beaches, a rain forest that is home to rare primate species and a game park in the Northern region.

Modern Ghanaians still treasure their roots, and evidence of this is present in every aspect of society. Clothing is made from bright, colorful batiks, and men still wear toga-like clothing for special occasions. Ghana is a shopper's paradise. Intricately hand-carved sculptures and batik cloths are abundant and, of course, there's the gold for which the "Gold Coast" is famous. The government, stable now after many years of coups, is nurturing a growing economy in hopes of limiting its dependence on international monetary aid.

Program Overview

We are pleased to confirm that the USF Africana Studies Department will collaborate with USAC, a Study Abroad consortium, to support students applying for their Ghana Program 2013: http://usac.unr.edu/programs/overview.aspx?program=3322

This is an exciting and unique opportunity for you to experience Ghana first-hand, and gain a deep understanding of the culture and history of Ghana.  You will complete this program with a great deal of firsthand knowledge concerning West African society and culture that you can infuse into your major studies upon return.

Academic Program and Course Information

Please see the USAC website linked above for the full course options for this program.

Students with work with Patricia Smith in the Education Abroad Office in order to talk with Academic Departments at USF to determine how the courses will transfer into their USF record.


 

How and When to Pay

Please see the USAC Website for the full details regarding their payment policies and deadlines.

Students will pay their Program Costs to USAC directly, and will pay the Administrative fee for the program to USF through OASIS of $375.00.  

Getting There

All participants are responsible for purchasing their own international transportation to for the program.  However, assistance will be provided by USAC as well as the USF Education Abroad Office.

Medical Insurance and Travel Documentation

USF provides program participants with sickness/accident and emergency medical evacuation insurance valid for the dates of the program.  Those who will travel independently, either in advance of the program or after the program ends, must ensure that they have insurance coverage valid outside the U.S.

Please click here for more detailed information.

All participants must be in possession of a valid U.S. Passport, or a valid passport from their country of residence. 

Visa Process : After you have been accepted into the program, you will be given further details by USAC regarding the visa application process. 

Safety & Health

Participant's safety and well-being are paramount to USF.  Please click here for detailed safety and health information given in our Pre-Departure Guide before you travel.  Also, don't forget to read up on country-specific information on the U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites.

You are required to receive the Yellow Fever Vaccination.  You are not permitted into the country without this proof.  You should also consult your regular physician for their recommendation for other vaccinations or travel preparations.  A complete listing of vaccine requirements is assessable at:  http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationGhana.aspx. 

The USF Medical Center now has a Travel Clinic where students can talk with a Nurse Practictioner about their Travel Preparations and also receive required and recommended Vaccines on-campus! http://www.shs.usf.edu/travel-health.aspx

Travel Alerts

There are currently no travel alerts for Ghana. However, there are some minor conflicts which students should avoid. There are a number of ongoing chieftaincy disputes in Ghana that generally involve competition over limited resources. Several of these disputes have erupted into violence and unrest during recent years, most notably in Yendi in the Northern Region and Bawku in the Upper East Region. Visitors should exercise caution when traveling in these areas and remain alert to outbreaks of unrest.

Scams

Pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, and various types of scams are the most common forms of crime confronting visitors.  Travelers have reported these types of theft at crowded markets, beaches, parks, and tourist attractions. Incidences of violent crime, such as armed robbery, are on the rise, including reports of armed robberies in expatriate residential areas. Victims who resist attackers run a high risk of serious physical injury. Thefts of both luggage and travel documents occur at Kotoka International Airport in Accra and in hotels across Ghana. Use of credit cards in Ghana should be avoided if possible, as a growing number of travelers have been victims of credit card fraud. Visitors to Ghana should also be wary of overly-friendly locals offering tours, discounted lodging, or other services that seem too good to be true. 

Country Information

US Department of State, country-specific information: http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html
Preparing for your trip:  http://studentsabroad.state.gov/html-site/StudentAbroadHome.html

Financial Aid and Scholarship Funding

Many funding opportunities are available to USF students who are planning to study abroad.  Please see our funding page for further details.

Students are also encouraged to apply for the scholarhships offered through USAC - as listed on their website.

Special Terms

Students should review carefully the Education Abroad Participant Contract, included in the Education Abroad application process. It describes students' responsibilities with regard to participation, and includes information on insurance, and cancellation and refund policies. Students will be asked to electronically sign this document.  To view this document before applying, please click here.

Contacts for More Information

Program Coordinator:
Julie Ficarra
Education Abroad Gateway Office, MSC 3301
Phone: (813) 974-5474
E-mail: jficarra@usf.edu