Program Details
| Program Length | Approx. Start Date | Approx. End | 2009 Price | Age on Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Aug 31- Sep 4 | Jun 29- Jul 2 |
$10,900 | 16 yr 0 mos - 18 yr 6 mos |
| Semester | Jan 11-15 '09 | Jun 25-29 '09 | $8,900 | 16 yr 0 mos - 18 yr 6 mos |
| Summer Community Service/Team Mission | Late June | Late July | $6,900 | 15 yr 0 mos - 19 yr 0 mos |
View detailed chart of all 2009 High School Programs
About Ghana
Ghana is one of the friendliest and most welcoming of West African nations. While English is the official language, there are more than 52 native tongues and hundreds of dialects. Most Ghanaians live in small villages where society is focused on the family and community. 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. And there are numerous festivals throughout the year that provide more life and color to an already vibrant culture. AFS Ghana will provide a three- to four-day orientation to teach you about Ghanaian society, culture, family, school, religion, festivals, and safety. You’ll also be introduced to the native languages of Twi and Dagbani with six hours of lessons.
Note: The Ghana travel visa application requires that you have a yellow fever vaccine certificate. This is a series of shots that can take up to 4 weeks to complete. Learn more about this vaccination here.
Year and Semester Programs
As part of a Ghanaian family, you’ll learn about daily life, tribal culture, and African history. In school, you will study English, environmental studies, physical education, math, science, and arts. You can also learn traditional dancing and drumming, as well as handcrafts, woodcarving, gold and silver work, and textiles—most notably the richly colored, hand-woven kente cloth of the Akan and Ewe peoples. AFS Ghana organizes a tour to other parts of the country, and your program includes an ongoing after-school community service project. But don’t worry, there’ll still be plenty of time with your new friends listening to music and spending time swimming and playing soccer.
View PDF Brochure for Ghana School Programs.
Summer Team Mission
AFS will place you with a host family while you volunteer 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. While traveling with your adult team leader, you can visit the historic 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 enjoy a canopy walk. You will also have the opportunity to learn traditional dances and how to make fabrics such as batik.
All programs, prices, and travel dates are subject to change without notice.
Note about travel dates: Travel date ranges are provided to help with general scheduling. Please do not reserve any domestic travel based on these dates. AFS will notify confirmed participants with specific travel details approximately 45 days prior to departure.
All programs to Ghana depart from either Washington D.C. or New York.
