January in Legon
Unique Experiences
Explore Captivating Sites
like the Aburi Botanical Gardens, a lush oasis featuring medicinal herbs and ancient trees
Volunteer at a Service Organization
engaging in meaningful community service that fosters lasting cultural exchanges
Learn About Ghanaian Culture
from esteemed faculty at a premier institute of higher learning, complemented by guest speakers with local expertise
Your Destination
Legon is Ghana's academic and cultural center, offering a warm and welcoming environment year-round. Winter is an ideal time to experience the region's vibrant heritage – explore Accra's historic landmarks, visit local markets, and engage with Ghana's dynamic music and arts scene, all while enjoying the area's sunny climate. Whether you are majoring in business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Legon is the perfect place to study abroad during winter break.
Program Highlights
- Academic Course: Take one CIEE course delivered in-person at the CIEE Center.
- Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
Excursions & Activities
CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Legon will open doors for you to explore Ghana's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.
Samples of past excursions and activities:
- 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
- Participate in cultural activities, like learning how to make traditional batik and tie dye clothes from local entrepreneurs
- 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
Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Program Blogs
J-term in Legon – Eye-Opening and Enriching
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
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
Exploring Ghanaian Cuisine!
When people asked what I was most excited about when preparing for my semester abroad I replied with "dance, music, and food!" In regards to food specifically, I was looking... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Legon offers various housing options, which include homestays, off-campus hostel, and off-campus apartment-style housing. Housing options are located around the Legon campus, with convenient access to downtown Accra (roughly 45 minutes away) but are close to the CIEE Legon Center on campus (20 to 40 minutes away).
Standard Housing: Includes a single/double room at a homestay or a quad/triple-room at an off-campus hostel located under 45 minutes from CIEE Legon. Homestays boast a kitchen, living room, and bathroom shared with a host family. The off-campus hostel offers triple or quad-occupancy en-suite rooms, with shared common spaces such as the fitted kitchen and a lounging area.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
Homestay: Hosts provide breakfast and dinner during the week, and students get lunch on their own. Hosts provide all three meals on weekends.
Hostels/Apartment-style Housing: Meals are not included. Students prepare meals (facilities are limited) or eat on or off-campus.
Academics
CIEE Legon: Study on the University of Ghana’s campus, located in the quiet suburbs of Accra. CIEE Legon features three main classrooms, a general space that can also serve as a large classroom, a modest library, a lounge area for relaxation, and a vast outdoor space (with a mini football field and a basketball court).
Course Information
Health Professions and Related Programs
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.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
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 2026 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $4,150 |
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.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $2,970 ** |
| Housing | $800 *** |
| Insurance | $80 |
| Total Fees | $4,150 |
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.
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 | $99 † |
| International Airfare | $1,550 †† |
| Local Transportation | $200 |
| Books & Supplies | $25 |
| Visa Fees | $75 ††† |
| Personal expenses | $137 †††† |
| Other | $350 ††††† |
| Total Costs | $2,436 |
*non-refundable fee
**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. $360 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
Our Staff
Amma Appiah
Center Director
Amma is passionate about intercultural learning in international education and embraces the idea of empathetic study abroad management. As a person living with a chronic illness, Amma also dedicates time to raising awareness on autoimmune rheumatic diseases and advocates for persons living with such in Ghana.
Rachel Akata
Program Coordinator
Rachel supervises student life coordination at the center and assists the director with housing, internship, and volunteer placements.
Mike Adu Ampofo
Faculty and Custom Program Coordinator
Mike earned his bachelor's in Information Technology from Pentecost University in Ghana. He manages all custom and faculty-led groups that come on-site.
Irene Makafui Aku Dotse
Program Coordinator
Irene is responsible for student life coordination at the center and takes care of housing, internship, and volunteer placements.
Get Started
1
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.
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