legon slave castle on coastline
Legon, Ghana

January in Legon

Study Program

Dates

-

3 weeks

Credit

3 semester hours

4.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

Credit

3 semester hours

4.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Overview

Spend your winter break studying abroad in one of West Africa's most extraordinary destinations: Legon, Ghana! Known for being a peaceful country full of hospitable people, Ghanaian life follows the motto "freedom and justice," which you will learn firsthand in this one-of-a-kind study abroad program.

During CIEE's January in Legon program, you will have ample opportunities to connect with Ghanaian communities while learning on the go. From earning credits in a course taught by local faculty at CIEE Legon to volunteering twice a week at a related organization or facility, visiting palm-lined beaches, and spotting diverse local wildlife, your January abroad will be jam-packed with equal parts education and adventure.

All your coursework will be taught in English and complemented with immersive, hands-on co-curricular activities. From bead-making to batik and tie dye clothmaking, cooking Ghanaian meals, and more, you can expect to increase your intercultural understanding while exploring the beautiful pan-African country of Ghana. 

Unique Experiences

Explore Sites

like the Aburi Botanical Gardens which houses medicinal herbs and trees, some of which are ancient.

Volunteer

at a health center, NGOs, schools, and other service organizations. This is an opportunity to engage with the local community on very meaningful levels to achieve lasting cultural exchanges.

Learn About the Culture

from faculty from the premier institute of higher learning in Ghana, in collaboration with guest speakers with a varying range of local expertise.

8

national parks in Ghana

53 K

students at University of Ghana

57 %

of country’s population under 25 years old

Experience
  • legon group of students posing
  • legon group of students at mosque

Your Destination

Situated just 10 miles from Ghana’s capital city, Accra, Legon draws plenty of students and locals alike to its vibrant restaurants and bars. There are lots of opportunities to relax, too — the campus sports an Olympic-sized pool, a well-equipped gym, and other sporting facilities. Legon has a slower pace than the bustle of central Accra and is approximately an hour away from the coast and its beautiful beaches.

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Legon.

The Culture

High school students group selfie on hanging bridge in Legon

Excursions & Activities

  • Visit rural/governmental health facility versus an urban/private health facility to get a deeper understanding of differences in healthcare and the issues common to both.
  • Participate in cultural activities, like learning how to make traditional batik and tie dye clothes from local entrepreneurs.
  • Go on daytrips to places like the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, the Ghana National Museum, and the Shai Hills Game Reserve, where you can see baboons, vervet, and spot-nosed monkeys. 

Program Blogs

From CIEE

J-term in Legon – Eye-Opening and Enriching

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Expand your interest in African culture and reproductive health in Ghana this winter break, birthplace of Kwame Nkrumah, the most Influential African of the millennium. For three eye-opening and enlightening... keep reading

The Future of STEM in Ghana

By Jhadha K.

College is such an exciting and amazing time in any persons life. Having opportunities like being able to study abroad, meeting amazing people, and meeting a community of people that... keep reading

Housing
Academics

Academics

Taught by University of Ghana faculty, this program provides an opportunity for students from all academic disciplines to live and study abroad in Ghana while learning firsthand about the country and its people. Students also have the opportunity to volunteer with a placement two times a week. Students enroll in one course, which is taught in English. 

University of Ghana. The university is the oldest and largest of six public universities in Ghana, and hosts 53600 students and four colleges — College of Education, College of Health Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, and College of Humanities — with schools, institutes, and centers for research within them. 

GPA

2.5

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Requirements

Students enroll in one required CIEE course. 

Program Credit

Total credit: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits

Course Credit

CIEE course: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Academic Culture

The program consists of three weeks of classes with an intensive orientation beforehand. CIEE classes are designed to follow U.S. academic culture. Class attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. 

Class Format

Courses taught at CIEE Legon are for CIEE students only. Courses are taught Monday – Friday by University of Ghana faculty. Instruction is supported and augmented online by Canvas, CIEE’s learning management system. 

Grading

Assessment is based on the individual’s overall performance in the course, which may include essays, coursework, and final examinations or papers. Students must check with their professors to find out exam and project presentation dates. Under no circumstances will CIEE alter deadlines or exam dates for study abroad students who have made conflicting travel plans. The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Courses

Course Information

Health Professions and Related Programs

Course
Language
Semester Credit

History, Philosophy, Religion

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program January 2025 3 weeks Start Date End Date
Program January 2024 3 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $3,950

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $3,010**

Housing = $560***

Insurance = $80

Total Fees = $3,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $90

International Airfare = $1,300††

Local Transportation = $200

Books & Supplies = $25

Visa Fees = $75†††

Personal expenses = $135††††

Other = $350†††††

Total Costs = $2,175

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***includes two meals a day for students in homestays

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day and all weekend meals. For students in residence halls/hostels, you should budget approx. $340 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††Cost of Visa application fee in the US

††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

†††††Yellow Fever Vaccination - All travelers must present a vaccination card upon entry to Ghana. Costs and insurance coverage may vary. CIEE recommends booking an appointment for the vaccine well in advance, as supplies are limited.

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Amma Appiah

Center Director

Amma is a PhD Candidate at the Regional Institute of Populations Studies at University of Ghana. She has a Bachelors degree in English and a Masters in Population Studies all from University of Ghana.

Rachel Akata

Program Coordinator

Rachel is responsible for student life coordination at the center and assists the director with housing, internship, and volunteer placements.

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application 
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office 
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. 

3

Contact Us 
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info