Summer Exchange Programs - Ghana

Age Range:

Birth Date Range:

Travel Dates:

Application Deadline: March 15, 2012

Ghana Summer Team Mission Community Service Program

This amazing and popular 4-week program provides you the opportunity to do community service while immersing yourself in the lifestyle and culture of Ghana.

Program Details

The AFS group, along with the Program Leaders, will fly together between New York and Accra, the capital city of Ghana. Upon your arrival, you will be met by volunteers and staff of AFS Ghana and taken to the Arrival Orientation site located outside Accra. There you will take part in a 2 day orientation that will help you prepare for your intercultural experience. Following the orientation, you will be picked up by your host family.

Your weekdays will be spent volunteering at an orphanage helping out in various ways such as organizing activities, playing with the children, teaching basic writing and reading, and assisting with painting and updating the building. At the conclusion of your service project, you’ll go on sightseeing trips and visits to nearby places of historic interest such as the Ashanti capital of Kumasi, the dungeons of Cape Coast and the Elmina castles to learn about their historical connection to the American slave trade, and the Kakum National Park to experience a canopy walk.

You will also have the opportunity to learn traditional dances, visit museums, speak twi, and how to make fabrics such as batik. Most weekends will be unstructured so you can rest, spend time with your host family, and get to know your host community.

Placement Realities

All participants are placed in the greater Accra area and will reside with volunteer host families selected by AFS Ghana. Your host family will provide room, board, and guidance to you during your stay. 2 Volunteer Program Leaders, assigned by AFS USA, will be present during the entire program and will participate in all group activities.

Meals and Diet

Get ready for a lot of meat and fish, partnered with thick sauces and spices. Mealtime is family time in Ghana, so expect to share many meals with your host family. If you like chocolate, Ghana is the country for you. Cocoa is one of the country’s largest (and sweetest) exports.

Eligibility

To participate in this program, you must:

• Be within the age range upon departure (located at the top of the page)
• Have a passing 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