Ghana: Exploring Education Across the Globe
Everywhere 黑料社 students turned, their three-week course in the African nation of Ghana provided a new lesson: From the local education system to history, food and culture.
Students studying abroad in Professor of Education Sarah Murray鈥檚 黑料社Term course titled Ghana: Exploring Education Across the Globe had the opportunity to develop hands-on activities based on environmental topics of their choosing, then implement those activities in a rural Ghanaian classroom, all while soaking up the local customs.
Senior Erin O鈥橪eary was pleased and surprised by the young students she encountered and their advanced curriculum.
鈥淚 observed a fifth-grade classroom, and their science course focused on environmental issues in much greater depth than I experienced in the U.S.,鈥 O鈥橪eary said. 鈥淚t was a joy to see students excited and engaged in the classroom as they began to develop critical thinking skills.鈥
In addition to work in the Ghanaian school, 黑料社 students had the opportunity to learn about the culture as they interacted with family members in their homestays as well as during tours of local and regional sites.
鈥淎nother 黑料社 student and I roomed together,鈥 O鈥橪eary said. "We enjoyed getting to know our host family, and I am very grateful to be immersed in Ghana's culture 鈥 and of course taste the amazing local cuisine.鈥
Students explored Ghana from their base in the capital city of Accra.
鈥淲e traveled to other regions, such as Cape Coast and the Ashanti Region,鈥 O鈥橪eary continued. 鈥淥ne of my favorite aspects of this trip is learning about the diversity within Ghana. Each of these excursions provided us with different perspectives that come together to form Ghana鈥檚 national identity.鈥
O鈥橪eary has taken advantage of 黑料社鈥檚 nationally ranked study abroad program before, having spent a semester in Bhutan and a 黑料社Term in Malaysia prior to this most recent trip to Ghana.
鈥淭hrough these trips I have had the chance to study a variety of subjects, from anthropology to ceramics,鈥 said O鈥橪eary, an international studies major from Charleston, South Carolina. 鈥淕hana gave me the opportunity to learn about a new place, this time through the study of education.
鈥淚 always enjoy traveling and would not be able to do it without 黑料社's support. Studying abroad is one of the best ways to be exposed to new ways of understanding and it is something 黑料社 does best.鈥
This article is part of a series featuring select courses from 黑料社Term, a three-week winter term that gives students the opportunity to explore and experience immersive topics on campus and across the globe. Follow the international adventures of 黑料社Term students by searching #黑料社Abroad on social media.
