University of Ghana
- Spend a semester or year in Ghana, a developing country in West Africa with a fascinating history and a variety of cultural traditions
- Take classes in English with local Ghanaian students
- Learn Twi, a language spoken by over 7 million people in West Africa
- Complement your coursework by volunteering with local NGOs in the fields of human rights, development, and health
The university was founded in 1948 as the University College of the Gold Coast and operated as an affiliate college of the University of London, which supervised its academic programs and awarded degrees. The institution was awarded full university status in 1961. The University of Ghana is the largest of the four universities in Ghana and currently enrolls 26,000 students. Originally, the curricular emphasis was on liberal arts, social science, basic science, agriculture and medicine; however, there is currently a national educational reform program to diversify the curriculum and provide more science and technology and post-graduate training.
Welcome to Ghana! Located on the western coast of Africa in the Gulf of Guinea, this former British colony is the first sub-Saharan African nation to achieve independence from colonial rule. Today it is one of the most peaceful and politically stable countries in Africa. Situated just a few degrees north of the Equator, Ghana’s tropical climate not only lends itself to growing cocoa, pineapples and coffee beans, but also as a warm destination for ISEP students desiring a truly unique experience living in a developing country.
Most appropriate fields for ISEP students are African studies, geography and resource development, agriculture, and social sciences. Curriculum for science courses is largely theory based. Due to the difference in university calendars, it is possible that you will not receive confirmation of your placement at University of Ghana until as late as July for the following fall and full-year placement, and November for spring placement.
An intensive beginner level Twi language course (3 credits) is offered as part of the ISEP program in addition to regular classes during the student’s first semester of study in Ghana. Participation in this course is highly recommended. The Twi language course will appear on the official University of Ghana transcript for students who complete the coursework.
Students are housed in double rooms in an on-campus international student residence hall (with option of having a Ghanaian roommate.) The residence hall is equipped with laundry and cooking facilities. A cash meal stipend is provided at the beginning of the semester. Stipends can be used to prepare meals or purchase meals at one of many on-campus cafeterias or food vendors. There are also several restaurants located in close proximity to the school.
There is an ISEP-specific orientation dealing with social, cultural, travel, safety, etiquette and lifestyle issues. There will be visits to places of interest including an Accra City Tour, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, W.E.B. DuBois Center, shopping areas in Accra and in surrounding areas near the campus. Immigration and university-wide orientation includes information on education, registration, university life, historical and cultural information on Ghana and medical exam required by Ghana Immigration. Students will also visit other regions in Ghana during the semester through organized excursions.
There are ample opportunities to participate in team sports such as basketball, swimming, volleyball and soccer. Participation on these teams often includes travel to other West African countries or other cities in Ghana for competition.
ISEP students participate in an extensive orientation program including academic, cultural, health & safety information, visits to local areas of interest and two overnight excursions outside of Accra. ISEP benefits include on-site support from an ISEP Resident Director.As a designated Global Engagement Program, ISEP directly facilitates community engagement opportunities that enable ISEP students to enrich their experience in Ghana by becoming actively engaged with the local community.
ISEP-facilitated community engagement opportunities:
ISEP has identified a number of community organizations near Accra that have needs which could be met by ISEP students.
Other volunteer opportunities:
If none of the ISEP-facilitated community engagement opportunities above fit what you are looking for, please contact the ISEP Resident Director directly (isep@ug.edu.gh) for assistance in arranging another opportunity.
Independent Study opportunities in Ghana
Students also have the opportunity to participate in a structured independent study project supervised by a professor from the University of Ghana. The independent study project should be discussed at length at the home university if the student is seeking academic credit for the project. Credit will not be awarded by the University of Ghana, and therefore students must discuss the option of their home university awarding partial or full credit for the arranged project. There is a separate fee associated with a project to be paid to the supervising professor at the University of Ghana.
Students interested in any of the ISEP-facilitated community engagement opportunities listed above should submit a separate statement detailing their interest along with the ISEP Ghana application. See the application for more details.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
Contact Jason Foster at jasonfoster@ku.edu for more information.
Further information on programs can be found on the ISEP Website.