Study & Volunteer in Ghana (in English) - ISEP Direct
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Experience the vibrant flora and fauna of West Africa, a biodiverse region full of golden beaches, mountains, savannas, and tropical rainforests. Or vibe to the rhythm of Afrobeat music that abounds in Accra - walking down the street, it is common to hear a Djembe drum or see a reggae dance routine.
• Take a wide array of subjects at the University of Ghana including African studies, business, biology, social sciences, and health sciences.
• Acclimate to Accra with the support of ISEP’s on-site Resident Director, Theresa Kwakye, who has lived in Ghana for over 35 years.
• Give back to the local community while enhancing your professional skillset through volunteer opportunities such as helping with primates at a local NGO or teaching soccer to local children in under-resourced communities.
LIFE ABROAD
Delve into life in Accra, where the community is known for its welcoming energy, local celebrations, and rich cultural history. Deepen your understanding of Ghanian culture by extending your experience beyond the classroom through ISEP-facilitated community engagement opportunities.
LIVE
Stay in a double room in an on-campus student hostel featuring a shared kitchen, a small convenience store, and an affordable laundry service. The hostel is conveniently near campus buildings, cafes, larger grocery stores, and night markets.
DINE
Street food in Ghana is also abundant, affordable, and delicious. Sample local specialties like Kelewele (deep fried plantains), Waakye (a succulent rice and bean dish), and Banku (fermented corn and cassava dough). If you would rather cook your own meals, there is a shared kitchen in the residence that has stovetops, sinks, and a communal fridge.
EXPERIENCE
Kick off your experience with an Accra city tour offered during orientation to help you learn how to navigate your new host city. Explore the region through guided excursions, such as 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. Closer to campus, find your people among the numerous clubs and activities, including academic clubs (Geography, French, History), dance troupes, sports teams (basketball, swimming, and more), and internships at the radio station.
EXPLORE
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. Being in Accra gives you the opportunity to be at “the center of the world” because of its location on the Greenwich Meridian and the closeness to the Equator.
THRIVE
The University of Ghana offers on-campus resources to help you adjust including academic and mobility accommodations, in addition to a university counselling and guidance center, which provides mental and psychological support.
VOLUNTEER
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. Past volunteer placements include educational outreach, working with disadvantaged children in underserved communities, working with adults or children with disabilities, wildlife NGOs, and public health initiatives.
RESIDENT DIRECTOR
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. She is passionate about the benefits of international education as she has seen its effects on the many students who have passed through the Ghana programs over the years.
What We Love About Accra
We love that the welcoming community of Accra and ISEP’s on-site Resident Director provide a supportive and engaging cultural experience, all while having access to the stunning landscapes of West Africa and opportunities to have a meaningful impact through volunteering.
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses
Course Description
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. To get you started, below is a chart of popular classes students have taken in the past.
Credits Earned
Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to earn 15-18 credits which ISEP recommends is the equivalent of 15-18 U.S. Credit Hours. Each class is generally worth 3 credits.
If you use financial aid, please speak with a qualified financial aid advisor to understand your academic obligations and the requirements for using financial aid.
Sample Classes Available:
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Social Sciences |
Biology |
Business |
Health Sciences |
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Abnormal Psychology |
Biochemistry of Viruses |
Macroeconomics and Business |
Nutritional Physiology: Theory and Practical |
Public Policy and Heritage Management in Ghana
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Social Welfare and Social Policy |
Molecular Biology |
Fundamentals of Accounting Methods |
Organic Chemistry |
Politics of International Economic Relations
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Ghana from Colonialism to Independence |
Principles of Lab Organization and Management
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Social Responsibility and Ethics |
Molecular Biology |
International Conflict, Conflict Resolution and Human Rights |
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Terrorism and Global Security |
Principles of Genetics |
Marketing Research Methods |
Nutrition, Sustainable Livelihoods and Extension
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Human Diversity. Peace, and Conflict Management |
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African Philosophy |
Venomous Animals |
Commercial Law |
Practical Biochemistry |
Post-Conflict Peace-Building and Transitional Justice
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For detailed instructions on how to search for all available courses, please click on the "other academic conditions" dropdown link below.
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Students interested in science courses, should note that they are largely theory based.
For a list of class offerings and short class descriptions by Faculty, please use the following pages:
• College of Humanities
• College of Education
• College of Health Sciences
• College of Basic and Applied Sciences
NOTE: handbooks are approved/published on a 5-year cycle, so even if the date on the handbook is several years old, it still reflects current offerings.
Students should note that odd-numbered courses are offered in the first semester and even-numbered courses are offered in the second semester. Courses ending with 00 are year-long courses. PLEASE NOTE THE FIRST AND SECOND SEMESTERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA MAY VARY FROM WHAT YOU CONSIDER AT YOUR HOME INSTITUTION.
The minimum credit load is 15 credits. Each credit hour represents one lecture hour per week. Most classes are worth 3 credits. So students should plan to take 5-6 classes and spend 15-18 hours per week in lectures. The service-learning project and internship requires additional hours beyond the classes themselves. Students should keep that time commitment in mind when identifying how many and which classes they want to take in combination with the service learning or internship components.
Advanced degrees classes are open to ISEP students, but students must apply directly to the degree program. The Faculty of Law is only open to graduate students who are already in law school before coming to Ghana. Law courses are not available to ISEP undergraduate students.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Semester dates are subject to to change, but in recent years have typically run as follows:
Fall (University of Ghana Second Semester)
Arrival, orientation and volunteer placements: Early October
Courses start: Late October
Courses end: Third week in December
Exams: Last week of courses or asynchronously
Spring (University of Ghana First Semester)
Arrival, orientation and volunteer placements: First week of January
Courses start: First week of January
Courses end: Last week of March
Exams: Month of April
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
Select a semester to calculate the price. Semesters are named according to host university's calendar.Semester Tuition
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