Summer in Ghana - Global Health (in English) - ISEP Direct
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Experience the natural and cultural beauty of Ghana while living in Accra, a city known for its beaches, arts scene, and historic landmarks
• Develop professional skills through observational clinical rotations focused on pediatric care or occupational therapy, all while earning academic credit
• Thrive alongside a cohort of peers with the support of full-time, on-site staff throughout the program
• Compliment academic experiences through community engagement opportunities such as health education outreach, or follow-up health visits
LIFE ABROAD
Spend 5 weeks living in the capital city of Ghana while engaging in unique opportunities to learn about local health care systems through clinical rotations and health placements.
LIVE
Connect with other program participants while living in a shared guest house located in a residential neighborhood with plenty of small snack bars and food stalls. The housing is 15-20 minutes from clinic placement sites. Bedrooms are shared with 1-3 other students, depending on cohort size, and are separated by gender. The CFHI local coordinator resides on-site, providing a unique opportunity to learn about the local culture and establish a strong sense of community alongside fellow program participants.
DINE
Two meals per day are included throughout the program. Students will have access to a shared kitchen that is stocked with items to use for breakfast such as bread, eggs, jam, peanut butter, coffee, and tea. Students eat lunch the hospital's cafeteria during the week, and on weekends a meal stipend will be provided for students to use for lunches.
For dinner, students can make their own meals in the guest house kitchen or explore the city's food scene and sample local Ghanian specialties like waakye (rice and beans), kelewele (deep fried plantains), and banku (dough balls). This meal is not included in the program.
EXPERIENCE
Delve into Ghanian communities while participating in rotations at the only exclusively pediatric public hospital under the Ghana Health Service, which provides preventive, primary, and specialist pediatric care and specializes in managing malnutrition. Occupational Therapy students may also be placed Department of Occupational Therapy at a local teaching hospital or may experience community Occupational Therapy in the Greater Accra region.
Gain experience through placements in the emergency department, outpatient department, high dependency unit, general medical wards, surgery wards, the infant ward, or maternity center. Get involved with additional health projects and education outreach opportunities through visits to welfare clinics, schools, or homes for follow-up care. Students are provided with a stipend to cover public transportation costs to their rotations and will be taught how to use the local system.
EXPLORE
Enjoy having quick access to all the natural and cultural landmarks the capital city of Accra has to offer including local markets, beaches, mountains, and a thriving arts scene!
What We Love About Accra
The experiential learning components of this program offer unmatched opportunities to explore the culture of Ghana while gaining invaluable professional skills for the future!
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses
Course Description
The Global Health program consists of observational clinical rotations combined with interactive coursework to support the emphasis on experiential learning. Participants will also complete required modules and assignments on a digital platform prior to their arrival, to prepare them for their five weeks in Ghana.
A typical day during the program is a blend of immersive learning, cultural exploration, and personal reflection. Program activities generally take place on weekday mornings through early afternoons. Students will spend the majority of their time in clinical rotations (4-6 hours per day depending on clinical placement). Led by local health experts, weekly Health Lecture sessions each focus on a different topic and are designed to enhance participant understanding of local health systems and realities in Ghana. The methodology of these seminars encourages active participation and dialogue.
This program is available to students from all education levels and may be best suited, but not limited to, students in the following fields of study: pre-med, medical science, residents, public health, nursing, social science, social work, pre-health, occupational therapy, dentistry, pharmacy, and allied health.
In line with CFHI’s commitment to best practices in global health, clinical rotations and public health activities are strictly observational. Participants will have the opportunity to integrate into local healthcare teams and shadow providers by joining them on rounds and observing patient encounters. Students will experience a wide range of clinical activities and may also be asked to assist with clerical duties. Clinical and public health rotation assignments are tailored to participants according to local availability, their educational level, and professional goals and interests.
Credits Earned
The program course is comprised of 22 hours of instruction and 150 hours of clinical rotations granting a total of 4 US credits. Credit is issued by the University of Minnesota, ISEP’s School of Record, and students will receive a University of Minnesota transcript upon successful completion of the program.
If you use financial assistance, please speak with your home coordinator to understand your academic obligations and the requirements for using financial assistance.
Academics
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Academic Calendar
This 5-week program takes place from June through July 2025. Dates include:
• 7 June - Arrival
• 8 June - Start of orientation
• 11 July - Last day of program activities
• 12 July - Departure
Airport pickup and drop-off services are included.
PASSPORT: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible.
VISA: Most students attending this program will be required to obtain a tourist visa. For more information on the process and estimated cost, please review the ISEP Country Handbook here. Please note that proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required documentation for the Ghanaian tourist visa and entry to Ghana.
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
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