Legon, Ghana

January in Legon

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Information for term January in Legon

Application deadline, and cost information.

Application Deadline

November 1, 2023
weeks
days
hours

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Deadline: November 1, 2023
  • Dates: Dec 27, 2023 – Jan 17, 2024
  • Credit: 3 semester hours / 4.5 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA

Overview

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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 that houses medicinal herbs and trees, some of which are ancient. Visit historical Transatlantic slave trade sites and the Kakum National Park in Cape Coast, Central Region of Ghana.

  • 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.

  • national parks in Ghana

    8
  • students at University of Ghana

    53K
  • of country’s population under 25 years old

    57%

Location & Culture

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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

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

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Program Blogs

Daily Life

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  • HOUSING

    Homestay : Immerse yourself in the local language and culture by living with a Ghanaian family in the East Legon or North Legon neighborhood. Expect to use public transportation to and from the university, with a 30-to-40-minute commute each way.

    International Students Hostel: If you choose to live with other students, you’ll share a double-occupancy room on the University of Ghana Legon campus, a short walk from CIEE Legon. The hostel is equipped with 24/7 wireless internet, security service, and basic/shared kitchen facilities.

  • MEALS

    Homestay: Breakfast and dinner are provided during the week. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided on weekends. 

    International Students Hostel: Meals are not included. Students prepare meals in their dorms or eat at the numerous eateries, restaurants and Ghanaian “chop bars” on or off campus. 

Legon, Ghana

Where You'll Study

  • A

    CIEE LEGON

    10 miles from Ghana’s capital city, Accra.

  • B

    UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

    Legon

  • C

    Getting Around

    Students use public transportation to get from campus to explore off-campus spots like the coast and beaches.

Academics

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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

Language Prerequisites

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

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.

Program 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

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Course Information

  

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

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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

January 2024 Nov 1, 2023 Dec 27, 2023 Jan 17, 2024
$3,950
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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 insurance 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 = $270

International Airfare = $1,300 ††

Local Transportation = $200

Books & Supplies = $25

Visa Fees = $75 †††

Personal expenses = $125

Other = $350 ††††

Total Estimated Costs = $2,345

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.

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

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

For Student Hostel. Students in Homestays should budget $75 for the meals not provided at home.

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

††† Cost of Visa application fee in the US

†††† 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.

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.

What's Included

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What's Included

Tuition
Housing
Meals
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 and a local liability insurance
24/7 emergency on-site support

Our Staff

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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! 

    Apply Now
  • 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.