Explore the layers of your identity while immersed in Ghana's diverse heritage.
Embark on a transformative journey to Ghana, a study abroad program to inspire you to embark on a life-changing experience. You will utilize research methodologies of the self by exploring your identities, values, and aspirations. This unique program is not just an academic venture but it is also an invitation to explore the layers of your identity while immersed in Ghana's diverse heritage.
- Tour historical and cultural sites in Accra to learn about Ghana’s West African traditions, customs, and history.
- Explore research questions about culture, identity, ethnicity, gender, and social class.
- Visit places of historical significance in Ghana, including the dungeons of the slave castles, and reflect on the events that took place at those locations.
- Participate in an excursion to Kumasi, Ashanti region, and the Cape Coast to visit historical sites, traditional homes, villages, and experience a rainforest canopy walk.
Program Term: Fall Course, Travel over Winter Break
Location: Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast, Ghana
Travel Dates: December 28, 2024 to January 7, 2025
Credits: 3
Course Details
- SOIS 301 - Research in a Cultural Context (3 credits)
Students will be enrolled in the course for fall 2024 with travel to Ghana taking place over winter break. The course will meet on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:00 pm during the fall 2024 semester.
No pre-reqs. Program is open to all undergraduate majors, all year levels. No foreign language skills are required - the program is taught in English.
Credits may count towards: Programmatic Writing Intensive and General Education Social and Global Perspectives. Applicants should discuss with their academic advisor how the course will count towards their degree program.
Application deadline: May 1, 2024
Faculty Leaders
Dr. Makini Beck
Assistant Professor
Dr. Phillippa Thiuri
AVP for Academic Access and Success
Diversity and Inclusion
Dr. Kijana Crawford
Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
To Apply
1) Watch this short video on application steps for RIT faculty-led programs.
2) Start an application in the RIT Study Abroad Compass
Program Cost & Financial Aid
Program Cost: Student Budget Worksheet - outlines all program costs.
RIT students in CSTEP, McNair and LSAMP can use this program in conjunction with their fall research placement and use their stipend to help pay program fees.
Financial Aid:
Financial aid may cover some program costs. As you review the budget worksheet, please remember that it does not include your RIT financial aid or scholarships, which may cover some of the program costs. The purpose of the budget worksheet is to show all the costs associated with your study abroad program, which will help your RIT Financial Aid Assistant Director determine how your aid and scholarships may be applied.
To understand how your financial aid and scholarships may apply to your program costs:
- Make an appointment with your financial aid assistant director (call Financial Aid at 585-475-2186) and mention that you are calling for a study abroad appointment
- Upload a copy of your budget worksheet(s) via the Financial Aid upload portal at https://join.rit.edu/register/FA_upload (at least 48 hours before your scheduled meeting so they have time to prepare)
- Please rename the file name of your budget worksheet before uploading it to the Financial Aid portal based on the instructions provided in the portal (adding your name and student ID)
To find out the name of your financial aid assistant director for your degree program visit: https://www.rit.edu/admissions/aid/contact#counseling-team
We recommend you meet with Financial Aid before the application deadline so you understand how your aid will apply. The RIT financial aid office is located in Bausch and Lomb Center (Bldg. 77), 2nd floor, 2125.
Scholarships:
- RIT Education Abroad Travel Grants ($500-$1,000)
All students with pending applications in the RIT Study Abroad Compass for this program will be automatically considered for an RIT Education Abroad Travel Grant. You will be informed of your scholarship status shortly after the application deadline. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need. - Other scholarships: RIT Study Abroad Scholarships, National Study Abroad Scholarships
RIT Students only