Study Abroad in Legon
College Study Abroad
Explore Legon with CIEE
From bustling markets to weekend adventures in Ghana’s national parks, study abroad in Legon and experience the heart of the country just outside Accra. Spend your days exploring coastal forts, walking the canopy at Kakum, or sampling street food like kelewele and jollof rice. Engage with local culture through drumming workshops, festivals, and community-based learning while earning credits in communications, health sciences, social sciences, and more. With its welcoming community, rich traditions, and access to both city life and natural beauty, Legon study abroad offers a meaningful mix of academic exploration and cultural connection in one of West Africa’s most multifaceted regions.
During Legon study abroad programs, students may complete a full- or part-time internship, gaining real-world international work experience and developing valuable professional skills. Internships are available across diverse industries, including business, marketing, arts, sustainability, health institutions, NGOs and more, providing a well-rounded perspective of today's global job market and enriching the overall study abroad experience. Whether you’re interested in earning credits in communications, health sciences, history, philosophy, social sciences, or another academic discipline, you’re sure to enjoy Legon’s incredible wildlife, Ghanian culture, and the region’s surrounding beaches and forests.
Top Activities in Legon with CIEE
Every CIEE semester program has frequent cultural excursions and a multi-day study tour uniquely designed to complement the program’s academics and enhance students’ cultural immersion.
In Legon, past study tours and excursions have included:
- Trips to Cape Coast and Elmina to see slave castles and the starting point of the transatlantic journey, standing in the very dungeons that echo with history and resilience
- Hands-on cooking classes for traditional Ghanaian meals like Jollof and Kelewele, all while learning the cultural significance behind each flavorful recipe
- Guided tours of local highlights, like the Aburi Botanical Gardens, Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm, Boti Falls, and Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum
About CIEE Legon
CIEE Legon is located inside the University of Ghana, the country’s oldest and largest public university and CIEE's renowned partner institution. The Center 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). Students are encouraged to use the onsite printer, complimentary Wi-Fi, and onsite desktop computers.
Just 10 miles from Accra – the country's capital – CIEE Legon is situated near stunning botanical gardens, affordable markets, popular restaurants, and the city's top landmarks. There are also several universities in the area, giving CIEE students the perfect opportunity to socialize with local students while studying abroad in Legon.
Academics in Legon
CIEE Legon
CIEE Legon is located within the University of Ghana and sits just 10 miles from the capital city of Accra.
University of Ghana
University of Ghana, Legon campus, is the oldest and largest university in the country, welcoming more than 39,000 students and 1,000 faculty members. One of 13 Ghanaian national public universities, studying abroad at the University of Ghana includes programs from international relations, business, and public health to arts, law, and African studies.
Arizona State University (ASU)
Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar.
Internships in Legon
Depending on your program of study and availability, you may be able to participate in an international internship while studying abroad in Legon. Ghana’s dynamic work scene blends a fast-growing creative economy with longstanding industries like trade, services, and agriculture, creating an environment where innovation and cultural heritage intersect. Interning in Legon offers the chance to gain hands-on experience, build cross-cultural skills, and explore career paths in fields such as:
- Agriculture, Food + Natural Resources
- Education + Training
- Government + Public Administration
- Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics
Community Impact Initiative in Legon
CIEE’s Community Impact Initiative invites you to connect more deeply with Legon by becoming an active member of its community. You’ll work alongside local organizations on projects that reflect real, on-the-ground needs, building relationships, gaining cultural insight, and contributing to meaningful, lasting impact. Your experience may span key focus areas like Food Security, Community Development + Public Health, and Youth Development + Education initiatives.
In Legon, your service work may include:
- Supporting culinary training and food security initiatives with Culinary for Social Change, including programs that provide nutritious meals to women and children
- Assisting with care, education, and development programs for children at HopeWay Ministries Orphanage Home
- Engaging in youth programs that combine sports, academic support, mentorship, and community outreach through Play and Learn Foundation
Study Abroad Programs in Legon
- Legon, Ghana
- Study Program
- Part-Time Internship
- Study Program
- Legon, Ghana
- Study Program
- Part-Time Internship
- Legon, Ghana
- Study Program
- Part-Time Internship
- Legon, Ghana
- Full-Time Internship
- Legon, Ghana
- Study Program
- Part-Time Internship
- Legon, Ghana
- Study Program
- Legon, Ghana
- Full-Time Internship
- Legon, Ghana
- Study Program
- Part-Time Internship
- Legon, Ghana
- Study Program
Pocket Guide to Legon
Currency
Ghanaian Cedi
Spoken Languages
Twi, English
Available Transportation
Minivan (trotro), taxi, Uber, Bolt, Yango
Famous Local
Kofi Annan - Ghanaian diplomat, former UN Secretary-General awarded the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize
Climate
Tropical climate year-round
Did You Know?
Ghana has the largest market in West Africa, called "Kejetia Market" - locals buy crafts, beads, sandals, second-hand clothes, meats, fruits, and vegetables
Airport
Kotoka International Airport (ACC)
Social Norms
Using your left hand to shake, touch, eat food, handle money is considered rude and unsanitary
What to Pack
Backpack, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, water bottle, sunglasses, toiletries, towels (you can choose to buy when onsite), extra set of bedding, prescription medications to last the entire stay, and the prescription to aid refill when necessary
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of studying abroad in Legon varies depending on the specific program that you choose and how long you plan to study abroad for. For detailed cost information, we recommend researching each individual Legon study abroad program page.
For costs not included in your program’s outlined fees, it’s important to consider factors surrounding your individual journey while abroad.
Read more: How Much Does it Cost to Study Abroad?
Located just three degrees north of the equator, Legon, Ghana, is a good place to study abroad for students looking to learn about Ghahaian language, culture, art, and more. With the University of Ghana serving as a main focus of the town, students will experience a lively college-town atmosphere with much to explore, from abundant wildlife and parks to authentic restaurants and shops.
Life in Legon, Ghana, is known for a much slower, more relaxed lifestyle with warm and hospitable people. Living in Ghana as a student is a one-of-a-kind experience very different from Western life that’s sure to leave a positive impression on students.
In one of the safest countries in Western Africa, Legon is a safe study abroad destination for students. As with any city, we recommend that students stay aware of their surroundings, keep their belongings safe, and travel in groups when possible.
In order to ensure our students feel welcomed, supported, and empowered while studying abroad, CIEE staff completes comprehensive diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) training. Staff provide students with advice, resources, and ongoing support both before and during their study abroad program in Legon.
For more detailed information on diversity in Legon, visit our Diversity in Legon page.
Yes, you can absolutely complete an internship abroad in Legon with CIEE. Our international internship programs allow college students to choose from a variety of full- and part-time internships abroad in a variety of fields, including manufacturing, finance, hospitality, healthcare, public policy, and more!
Search our internship opportunities to get started!
Study Abroad Scholarships & Grants
Apply in 1,2,3!
You may be wondering if there are any scholarships to study in Legon. CIEE offers scholarships and grants for study abroad programs in Legon to students with demonstrated financial need, proven academic merit, and for specific CIEE programs. Students can apply for scholarships through 3 simple steps:
- Search for and apply to your dream program
- Review all available funding opportunities
- Complete the Scholarship & Grants portion of your application
Study Abroad Sholarships
NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
Based on students' Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) from their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and enrolled institution. Complete the Scholarships & Grants portion of your program application to be considered for all awards to which you are eligible.
MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Based on academic achievement. Complete the Scholarships & Grants portion of your program application, along with an essay, to be considered for all awards to which you are eligible.
OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS
Other scholarship awards are based on program or alumni status.
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Legon Study Abroad Blog
Eat, Drink, Explore: Legon
BEST FOOD TO EAT IN LEGON Fufu is the national dish of Ghana and a staple throughout much of West and Central Africa. While it might not look Instagram-worthy, fufu... 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
Arrival In Accra, Ghana: First Impressions and Observations
Who let me book a solo flight to Ghana?! This is what I thought in the days leading up to my departure. I viewed the trip ahead with much anticipation... keep reading
