Program Description | Host Family & Community | Host School | Travel | Orientations & Activities | Eligibility
Program Description
Ghana is one of the friendliest West African nations. Vibrant markets offer everything from fruits and clothes to hair braiding; and at night, you’ll hear music everywhere.
As an AFSer in Ghana, you’ll live with a host family and have the unique opportunity to combine high school with an after-school community service project. This could include helping out in orphanages, studying traditional songs and folklore, or working with an HIV/AIDS awareness program.
As part of a Ghanaian family, you’ll learn about daily life, tribal culture, and African history. In school you’ll study English, environmental studies, physical education, math, science, and arts. You can also learn traditional dancing and drumming, as well as woodcarving, gold- and silver-smithing, and different textile handicrafts.
Language
There are more than 52 native tongues and hundreds of dialects in Ghana, but English is the official language of Ghana, reflecting years of British colonization. The local languages are rich in proverbs, the use of which is taken to be a sign of wisdom. Euphemisms are very common, especially about events connected with death.
Host Family & Community
Most Ghanaians live in small villages where society is focused on family and community. Students are placed throughout Ghana, many in the cultural and commercial coastal capital of Accra.
Ghanaian host families, like AFS host families worldwide, are volunteers. They open their homes to students in order to share their community and culture as well as to enrich their own family lives.
Ghanaians
The country has been greatly influenced by European civilization, but Ghanaians strive to maintain and promote their uniquely African culture. Shopping is concentrated in markets that offer everything from fruits to clothes to hair braiding. At night, you’ll hear music everywhere in outdoor restaurants and clubs.
Many of the major religions of the world are practiced in this country. Culture comes alive in popular annual religious festivals, and celebrations of rites of passage, hunting, and cleansing.
Family structure varies from one ethnic group to another. Some families are matriarchal, where the chief responsibilities for the family fall to the women and inheritance is passed down on the mother’s side. Other ethnic groups have male-dominated family structures. All Ghanaian families share a deep respect for the elderly members of the family, and grandparents and great-grandparents exercise a great deal of influence on family decisions. Many Ghanaians disregard their own wants for the sake of the family unit.
Teens
In both urban and rural areas, teen life is highly influenced by traditional culture, but Western culture plays a role in TV, movies and music. Teens in Ghana are often outside the home, playing sports, board games and cards.
On weekends, and active family social life is typical, and at night they are expected to help out in the home by watching siblings, cooking, and cleaning.
Meals
Ghanaian families enjoy eating together, so expect to share many meals with your host family.
The diet consists mainly of yams, cassava, maize, plantains and rice. Ghanaian cuisine consists of a lot of meat and fish, so AFS Ghana asks vegetarians to be flexible.
Ghanaians enjoy hot and spicy foods. The mainstays of Ghanaian cuisine are thick sauces, usually eaten with potatoes or rice. If you like chocolate, Ghana is the country for you. Cocoa is one of the country’s largest (and sweetest) exports.
Streets and markets are filled with vendors of fresh food. Tropical fruit and vegetables supplement the diet. A popular dessert is fried plantains seasoned with chili pepper and ginger that goes well with a refreshing drink made of corn called askenkee.
Host School
Most AFSers are placed in an academic secondary school, though some students are placed in vocational or technical schools. You will be placed in the next-to-last or last year of high school. There will be vacations in December and at festival times. Core subjects in Ghanaian secondary schools include English, Ghanaian languages, mathematics, agricultural and environmental studies, life skills, physical education, science and arts.
All schools require students to wear a school uniform.
During this program, you will get to choose a community service project as an after-school activity. Projects might be studying traditional symbols and artifacts, proverbs, traditional songs and folklore; assisting in orphanages; participating in community projects, gender programs and HIV/AIDS awareness programs.
Check out the Host School FAQ (.pdf).
Travel
You will receive a Travel Notification email about 6 weeks prior to international departure with your international flight itinerary and detailed instructions for when to arrive at the Gateway Orientation site in New York. At that point, you may arrange your domestic travel. In New York, you will join other AFS-USA participants for an overnight Gateway Orientation before you travel together to Accra.
International airfare is included as part of the tuition, but it is your responsibility to arrange your travel from your hometown to the Gateway Orientation Site.
Your Arrival
You and your fellow AFSers all will arrive at Accra International Airport, collect your baggage and pass through customs. You will be met by AFS staff and volunteers and will participate in an Arrival Orientation together. After this 3-4 day Orientation, either your host family will pick you up or AFS volunteers will assist you in traveling by bus to your host community.
Your Return
You will return to Accra by bus one or two days before your international departure for an End-of-Stay Orientation. You will then travel back to New York with your fellow AFSers.
Orientations & Activities
In addition to the orientations that you will participate in domestically (the locally held Pre-Departure Orientation, the Culture Trek online orientation, and the national Gateway Orientation), you and your fellow AFSers will have several orientations while abroad.
These required orientations are intended to help you maximize your AFS experience, prevent culture shock and to gain knowledge, skills and a global understanding.
Arrival Orientation
This first orientation will take place upon your arrival in Accra. This will be a 3-4 day orientation that is intended to prepare you for your first weeks abroad. This will be an international orientation and your opportunity to meet participants from around the world.
Your time in Ghana will probably be a very different experience from life in your home country, so AFS staff and volunteers will spend this time with you discussing Ghanaian society, culture, family, school, religion, festivals, safety and health issues. It is also a time to express your expectations and concerns with your fellow AFSers and experienced volunteers.
You will also receive six hours of language lessons with emphasis on Twi and Dagbani. After the arrival orientation you will travel to your host family.
Mid-Stay Orientations
You may have the opportunity to participate in a mid-stay orientation that will take place in your local chapter. It will give you the opportunity to evaluate your progress, and share experiences with AFS staff, volunteers and fellow AFSers.
Year program participants may be offered an additional Orientation in Accra half-way through the academic year.
End-of-Stay Orientation
Two days before your international departure, you will meet with other AFSers for about three days. This will be a great opportunity to reflect on your time in Ghana and share your experience with AFS friends.
Optional Activities
AFS/IEP Ghana organizes a two to seven day study tour for participants to another part of the country. During this tour, you’ll get to know interesting historical sites and experience different aspects of the culture. Unlike the orientations, this study tour is optional and is not included in the tuition.
Eligibility
To participate in this program, you must:
- Be within the age range (located in the ‘read more’ drop-down) upon departure
- Have a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Be mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy in accordance with AFS Medical Evaluation Policies
- Have a U.S. passport at the time of application. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the program end date
- Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture, school, and environment
Participation Notes
Ghanaian cuisine consists of a lot of meat and fish. Vegetarians wishing to visit Ghana are asked to be flexible.
Younger High School graduates may be considered for this program if they meet eligibility requirements.
There are no language requirements.
