Leadership & Service in Children's Education

Despite major advances in Ghana’s educational system, inequity still exists among students, with gender, geography (rural vs. city), and income levels all determining factors. To level the playing field, global organizations and innovative NGOs are working to create better access to Ghanaian schools for all children — and a more well-rounded, child-friendly learning environment once they get there.

In this Service & Leadership program, you’ll work with one of CIEE’s partner NGOs providing educational enrichment to at-risk children and youth age 4 to 15. As a teacher’s helper, you’ll wear many hats! You might be placed in a preschool setting, in a primary school or in a sports and vocational program for out-of-school teens. You might be asked to assist with basic math, science or English lessons; or with sports, games or arts and crafts. Whatever your project focus, you’ll learn first-hand about the Ghanaian educational system and reflect on how it compares to your own system back in the US.

Over three weeks you’ll gain invaluable skills, becoming more and more comfortable interacting with people from different cultures in an incredibly diverse region. Did you know Ghana has more than 80 languages and 70 ethnic groups? CIEE’s Intercultural Communication and Leadership class will equip you with tools and ideas for exchanging ideas and building strong relationships across different cultures. You’ll also take Twi language classes to help in your daily conversations and interactions with Ghanaians. But rest assured, you’ll be able to converse with nearly everyone around you, as English is the official language.

Living in a dorm at the University of Ghana, you’ll meet international students on campus and hang out with your CIEE peers. Together you’ll play soccer (pickup games or organized play with local youth), learn traditional drumming and dance, take cooking classes and dabble in batik-dyeing, bead-making and basket-weaving. Field trips take you to a variety of unique sites, from Ghana’s oldest cocoa farms to the largest open-air market in West Africa. Excursions take your farther afield — from the lush Kakum National Park with its rainforest canopy to the vast Ashanti Region known for its traditional villages.

After the intercultural experience of a lifetime, you’ll be well prepared for bridge-building and service leadership in diverse communities back home, large or small. And with fresh experience in teaching, mentoring, coaching and supporting students of different ages, who knows what you’ll be inspired to do next?