Cape Coast, Ghana
CAPE COAST, GHANA – This study abroad program takes you to the coastal town of Cape Coast, Ghana, which provides a unique culture and geography to explore. Situated along the equator in sub-Saharan Africa, Cape Coast is located on the edge of a tropical rainforest and boasts beautiful beaches along the shores of the Gulf of Guinea. It is a fishing community with a rich culture and deep history. Students will spend approximately 10-15 hours in a Ghanaian village school field placement, teaching children to read and write using culturally sustaining literacy practices, and leading children in a critical literacy project examining depictions of African history and culture in children’s literature. Students will be based at the University of Cape Coast and will explore Ghana's culture and history through traditional drumming and dancing, excursions to sites of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the rainforest, art markets, major metropolitan cities, and an African safari.
Certificate of International Teaching Experience
Students can earn a “Certificate of International Teaching Experience” when you participate in any of the approved study abroad programs that have a school field experience in the destination country. In addition to the study abroad experience, you would enroll in PCK/EDI 315 for 1-3 credits to earn the certificate. Your study abroad director can help advise you about the appropriate process for you.
Program Highlights
- Teaching Ghanaian children to read in a culturally sustaining manner
- Volunteering in Ghanaian village schools
- Gaining deep historical knowledge in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in order to teach this topic in the American elementary curriculum
- Learn basic Fante, take African drumming and dancing lessons, enjoy trips to the local markets, beaches, and a tropical rainforest
- Go on an African safari and see elephants, baboons, and warthogs
Courses (students take 3-6 credits):
PCKET Core English Requirements:
ENG 301: Teaching Reading and Writing in the Elementary Classroom (3 credits)
ENG 401: Languages, Literacies, and Cultures (3 credits)
If you’ve already completed one or more of those courses, you can earn credit toward your English Concentration or your Honors Concentration by choosing any of these courses:
ENG 334: American Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults (3 credits)
AAA333: Study Abroad - African/African American Studies (3 credits)
HNR 399: Independent Study (1-4 credits)
Fulfills General Education Global Perspectives requirement.
Fulfills entire General Education Issues requirement (Students must take 2 courses from 2 different disciplines).
Language of Instruction: English
Students may fund study abroad by using financial aid, scholarships, grants and personal funds. A study abroad advisor can help you create a funding plan.
FACULTY-LED PROGRAM GRANT (Up to $1,500): All degree-seeking students who apply to their faculty-led program by the priority deadline are automatically considered for a grant of up to $1,500 from the Padnos International Center. Students must have a current FAFSA on file to be eligible. No application required.
James F. and Virginia L. Goode Global Programs Scholarship: The purpose of the scholarship is to reduce the financial pressure on students and their families and make a Grand Valley education accessible to students from all backgrounds. This need-based scholarship will ensure that financial need does not become a barrier to intellectual and personal growth for students planning to study abroad.
MyScholarships: https://gvsu.academicworks.com/opportunities/10186
Visit the Study Abroad site for additional information on grants and scholarships.
To contact the Financial Aid office, email [email protected] with “Study Abroad” in the Subject line. Include your G-Number and Total Projected Cost of the program in the e-mail.
Apply for this program via the GVSU Study Abroad page GHANA: TEACHING & LEARNING LITERACY, LANGUAGE, & HISTORY
Study Abroad Opportunities
