University of Ghana - Legon
MISSOURI AFRICA PROGRAM at the UNIVERSITY OF GHANA - LEGON
New Fall 2010 dates and prices will be posted in late February! (Dates and prices will be similar to the previous year.)
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 15, 2010
Program Information:
The Program and the University
Ghana: Country & Culture
Program Dates & Housing
Credit and Registration
Estimated Costs
Visa/Residence Permit and Medical
Insurance
Eligibility Requirements/Application Process/Deadline/Orientation
Links to Related Web Pages
Orientation and forms for accepted students can be found here.
The Program:
The Missouri Africa Program is a one-semester program at the University
of Ghana, Legon, offered in the fall semester only. The program
enables students to enroll in regular courses at the University
of Ghana, which allows for the greatest level of cultural immersion.
All classes are taught in English. To see what departments and courses
are offered, visit the University
of Ghana-Legon website or the Study Abroad Office in 261 MSC.
Students of most majors will find coursework in their discipline.
Students in the past have especially enjoyed taking Ghana and Africa-related
courses, such as dance, history, drumming, literature, politics,
etc.
This program is run by the Missouri Africa Consortium (MAC). MAC-member participating universities include: Truman State University, University of Central Missouri, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Students at these MAC-member universities will apply and enroll through their home campus. Students from other non-MAC universities may apply through the University of Missouri-St. Louis on a case-by-case basis. Note: students must be able to attend pre-departure orientation held via ITV.
A faculty member from a Missouri Africa Consortium (MAC) university will accompany the group to serve as a resource and support. The faculty coordinator for fall 2009 will be Marc Becker from Truman State University.
The
University:
The University of Ghana is located
in Legon, about 8 miles northeast of the capital, Accra. The University
of Ghana was established in 1948 as the University College of the
Gold Coast, an affiliate college of the University of London. Following
independence in 1957, the university was organized as the University
of Ghana and, in 1961, began to award its own degrees. The university's
lecturers and distinguished alumni have earned it national and international
recognition. It has seven faculties and a student population of
about 7,000.
Ghana--Country & Culture:
Ghana is located on the Gulf of Guinea along the west coast of
Africa. It borders Ivory Coast to the west, Burkina Faso to
the north, Togo
to the east and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. The climate is
tropical and varies from a warm dry coastal belt in the southeast
and a hot humid southwest corner to a hot dry northern savannah.
The southern part of the country, where the University of Ghana
is located, has four seasons, two wet seasons (May - June and September
- November) as well as two dry seasons (July - August and December
- April). In the capital city of Accra, average temperatures range
from 72 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit year round.
The official language is English, although many other indigenous languages are spoken.
Ghana gained its independence from British colonial rule on March 6, 1957. Prior to this time it was called the "Gold Coast," named by the Portuguese in the fifteenth century due to its wealth in gold and natural resources. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to discover Ghana in 1471. From that point until its independence, Denmark, England, Holland, Prussia and Sweden all sent explorers and merchants to Ghana for its wealth in both natural and human resources. During their battles for control over the land, these countries built forts and castles, which also served as trading posts. As evidence of the extent of European colonial presence and concentration of activity in Ghana, 29 of the 32 European colonial forts and castles along the coast of West Africa are in Ghana.
In 1992, after 11 years of military rule, the Provisional National Defense Council handed over administration of the country to an elected government with constitutional rule and a multi-party parliamentary system. The current system of government is a Unitary Multiparty Republic. On January 7, 1993 the Fourth Republic of Ghana was inaugurated with Jerry Rawlings as the elected president.
You can learn more about Ghana through the list of related web sites at the bottom of this page.
Program Dates:
Teaching for the Fall semester typically begins in mid-August.
Students will arrive approximately one week prior to courses in
order to attend an orientation for all students. All students
fly to Ghana together as a group from St. Louis. Teaching typically ends
in late November. Exams run from early to mid-December.
Housing:
Students are housed in double rooms in the international student
residence hall. Roommates may be other international or American
students. There is no meal plan. Meals are purchased in the campus
cafeteria or prepared in the residence kitchen.
Credit:
Students will enroll full-time during their semester in Ghana, and
will return with 12-15 credit hours of transfer credit
from the University of Ghana Legon.
Courses:
Course schedules are not available until students arrive in August. You can view the course bulletin to see what classes might be available during your semester at the University of Ghana. In general, odd-numbered classes are offered during the fall semester. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee availablility of a particular course in advance.
Course bulletins:
Faculty of Agriculture (agricultural economics & agribusiness, agricultural engineering, agricultural extension, animal science, crop science, soil science)
Faculty of Arts (classics, dance, English, linguistics, modern languages [Arabic, French, Russian, Spanish, Swahili], music, philosophy, religions, theater arts)
Faculty of Science (biochemistry, botany, chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, nursing, nutrition & food science, physics, psychology, statistics, zoology)
Faculty of Social Science (archaeology, computer science, economics, geography & resource development, history, information studies, nursing, political science, psychology, sociology, social work, statistics)
BusinessSchool (note: these courses cannot be combined with other departments; you must take all your courses at the Business School)
Registration:
Students will be directly enrolled at the University of Ghana and
pay University of Ghana tuition and fees. Students should check
with their home campus to determine registration policies for such
a program.
Estimated
Costs for Fall 2009 Semester: (costs are estimates only and are
subject to change)
$5,950 program fee (includes UGL undergraduate tuition and registration
fees, airfare, housing, visa fees, and international health/accident
insurance)
$1,500 meals, books and supplies, local transportation
$ 300 immunizations
$ 250 fee for students from non-MAC universities is due with application. Contact the program coordinator at UM-St. Louis for more information.
$1,000-2,000 for personal and travel expenses.
NOTE: The group flight usually departs from St. Louis. Students are responsible for their individual travel to these cities.
Students from MAC-member universities (UMSL, Truman, and UCM) pay the program fee directly to their home university. Final payment of the fees will be due approximately two months prior to departure for MAC participants.
Students from Non-MAC universities will pay the program fee directly to UM-St. Louis and will have a separate billing schedule provided by the UMSL Coordinator. The payment of fees will be due mid-May and mid-June.
Immunizations are the responsibility of each student and should be completed approximately one month prior to departure.
Visa/Residence
Permit:
All participants must obtain a visa for study in Ghana. Applications
will be distributed to accepted participants. Applications must
be completed and returned to the program coordinator no less than
2 months prior to departure. The application requires a passport,
3 photos, and a statement of financial support.
Medical Insurance:
Students receive basic medical care on campus at the University.
Students will also have coverage
through HTH Worldwide Insurance. This international sickness and accident insurance
is part of the program fee. Students are also strongly encouraged
to purchase the International Student Identity Card, which provides
supplemental coverage.
Eligibility Requirements:
Students will be evaluated based on academic record, essay, and faculty recommendations.
A minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale is required, as well as junior
standing or the equivalent (sophomores may be admitted in special circumstances and with the support of their home university).
How to Apply/Application Process:
Students from MAC-Member universities (UM-St. Louis, Truman State University, and University of Central Missouri): Contact the study abroad office
on their home campus for application information. UMSL students can apply here
Students from other universities (Non-MAC universities):
First, obtain approval from their home university study abroad office and then be nominated by their coordinator to participate in study abroad.
Then, the student should complete the the Missouri Africa Program application form for non-MAC participants and submit all required documents outlined in the application form to the University of Missouri-St. Louis Study Abroad Coordinator by the deadline.
Please contact Carrie Lutsch at the University of Missouri-St. Louis with any questions.
Deadline:
The
University of Missouri-St. Louis Coordinator must receive all completed applications
by March 15 for participation during the following Fall semester.
Orientations:
Pre-Departure Orientation
There will be an online orientation that students complete on their own time. Click here for orientation.
On-Site Orientation
There is a one week orientation held in Ghana prior to the start of the semester. This session will cover safety in Ghana, registration procedures, Ghanaian cultural etiquette, campus and city tours, and subsequent visits to Cape Coast and Elimina.
ALL ORIENTATION MEETINGS ARE MANDATORY.
Related
Web-Sites:
To learn more about Ghana and prepare for your semester abroad,
check out these other sites:
University of Ghana
Embassy
of Ghana
The
U.S. Embassy in Ghana
Ghana
Home Page
U.S.
State Department Consular Information Sheet for Ghana
Center for Disease Control Health
Information Page for Travelers to Ghana
Lonely Planet
For
more information, please contact:
Carrie Lutsch
Study Abroad and Exchange Coordinator
Center for International Studies
261 Millennium Student Center
One University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121-4499
Email: Lutschc@umsl.edu
314-516-6497
314-516-5636 FAX
Last modified February 5, 2010