Program Overview
Program Overview
Come to Ghana and share in the “golden experience.”
Spend your days leading educational activities at a center for underprivileged children. Develop a taste for the unique and delicious spice of local dishes like fufu—pounded plantains and cassava. Uncover a hidden talent for traditional basket weaving while exploring its integral role in Ghanaian society and culture.
A newly independent country just coming into its own as a democracy, Ghana’s story of transformation holds incredible lessons for young leaders. And with an exceptionally warm people, eager to welcome you into their communities and share their culture, Ghana’s reputation as the most friendly, hospitable nation in Africa is well deserved.
Whether you’re inspiring a classroom of children or soaking in the energy of an open-air market, you’ll find fresh, intercultural perspectives and new confidence as a leader with the CIEE Leadership Academy in Ghana.
Service
Service
Ready to make a difference?
In Ghana you’ll spend three weeks working with Future Leaders, a center for underprivileged youth. Through education, positive interaction, and support, the center provides an environment where these children can acquire skills and knowledge that can help them build a better life for themselves.
Working with local volunteers and engaging with children in a variety of educational activities is an amazing intercultural experience for both sides—opening their eyes and your own to new perspectives and helping to pave the way for future opportunities.
Leadership
Leadership
The goal of the CIEE Leadership Academy is to train the next generation of innovators, leaders, change makers, and social entrepreneurs—the young people who will help solve the greatest challenges of the 21st century.
In Ghana you’ll explore concepts and develop skills that will help you to think independently, effectively manage situations, and more easily navigate interpersonal experiences throughout your life—preparing you for college and beyond. You’ll do this by:
- Developing a personal portfolio that tells the story of your life—an autobiography that explores your passions and strengths, your dreams and aspirations
- Journaling your experiences while on the program to analyze the meaning and purpose of your life
- Analyzing case studies of young leaders who have become change makers by solving critical social problems
- Applying the skills and concepts you learn in class to real-life scenarios you’re facing every day during your service project
Language
Language
Twi is the most widely spoken language in Ghana; about 80% of Ghana’s 24+ million people speak it and it is the language of the market place.
From greeting your host family each morning to navigating the country’s transportation system with your peers, the language course “Survival Twi” will give you the words and phrases you need to make the most of your time Ghana.
Living
Living
There’s no better way to immerse yourself in another culture than by living with a local family. Not only will your Ghanaian host family provide you with daily meals and a place to stay, but they’ll introduce you to local customs and offer support and guidance in an unfamiliar environment.
Host families are as diverse as our students. Ranging from single parents to extended families, all of our homestay families are carefully screened and eager to share their homes and culture with you.
Cultural Activities
Cultural Activities
Picture this: Visiting a traditional wood-carving village and bead-making factory. Experiencing an authentic Ghanaian “highlife” musical performance. Practicing the traditional art of basket weaving and exploring its role in the Ghanaian economy and society.
In addition to your daily interactions with locals, your host family, and volunteers at your service project, engaging activities and excursions offer you and your peers the opportunity to gain new skills, meet new people, and gain real insight into local culture.
week-long tour
week-long tour
Spend your final week in Ghana celebrating the completion of the program while exploring the country and its history. Your tour begins with an exploration of the Transatlantic Slave Route, a voyage that covers several cities and sites of historical significance from Ghana’s Northern region to Cape Coast. You’ll experience and discuss the impact of the slave trade on West Africa and how the areas affected have evolved since the trade ceased.
Then it’s on to the beautiful Kakum Rainforest. In this magnificent place, virtually untouched by humans, you’ll encounter animals in their natural habitat, hike, and cross one of the world’s longest canopy walkways. You and your peers will enjoy a meal at Hans Cottage restaurant, perched above a lake filled with wildlife, before returning home to Accra.
Program Leader – Destiny Arturet
Program Leader – Destiny Arturet
Destiny is currently a first-year graduate student at New York University focusing on Global Women’s Studies with an emphasis on West Africa. Her love for West Africa blossomed when she first traveled to Ghana during her junior year at Susquehanna University during the fall of 2010. While at the University of Ghana, she studied political science, dance, and drumming. One of the most impactful experiences that she had while in Ghana was living with her homestay family, who she still remains in contact with.
Destiny is thrilled to be working with CIEE and cannot wait to meet the eager future leaders taking part in the CIEE Leadership Academy this summer. Destiny is really passionate about women’s studies, once had a Mohawk, and loves avocados, dark chocolate, and cat humor! She loves living in New York City but feels that her heart lives in Africa. So, to you, she says akwaaba (“welcome” in Twi) to the experience of a lifetime!
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