University of Ghana - Legon
MISSOURI AFRICA PROGRAM at the UNIVERSITY OF GHANA - LEGON
Orientation and forms for accepted students can be found here.
Ghana
The Program and the University
Orientation and Program Dates
Credit and Registration
Estimated Costs and Housing Information
Visa/Residence Permit and Medical
Insurance
Application
Process/Eligibility Requirements
Links to Related Web Pages
Ghana
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.
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.
A faculty member from a Missouri partner institution 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.
Participating universities include: Truman State University, University of Central Missouri, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Students at these universities will apply and enroll through their home campus. Students from other 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.
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.
Orientation
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.
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.
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)
Business School (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 Semester (costs are estimates only and are
subject to change)
$5,950 program fee (includes 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-member universities. 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. Final payment of the program fee, housing, visa fee and airfare will be due approximately two months prior to departure for MAP participants.
Students from MAP schools (UMSL, Truman, and UCM) pay the program fee directly to their home university.
Non-MAP participants will have a separate billing schedule from the UMSL Coordinator.
Immunizations are the responsibility of each student and should be completed approximately one month prior to departure.
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.
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.
Application
Process / 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).
Students at UM-St. Louis, Truman State University, and University of Central Missouri should contact the study abroad office on their home campus for application information.
**Students from other institutions should obtain approval from their home university study abroad office and be nominated by their coordinator to participate in study abroad. Then, the student should complete the the Missouri Africa Program application form for non-MAP participants and submit all required documents outlined in the application form to the University of Missouri-St. Louis Study Abroad Coordinator by the deadline.
The University of Missouri-St. Louis Coordinator must receive all completed applications by March 15 for participation during the following Fall semester.
Please contact Carrie Lutsch at the University of Missouri-St. Louis with any questions.
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 October 13, 2009