Central Michigan University

Accra, Ghana

The Republic of Ghana, originally name the Gold Coast by Portuguese explorers in the fifteenth century, was in 1957 the first African colony south of the Sahara to gain independence from England. Ghana’s links with the Europeans are particularly unusual and are cemented in the many former slave forts along the coast. The wide variation of in the landscape – from palm beaches and tropical rain forests to savannah and semi-desert – makes Ghana a unique destination. Tema is located just 30 minutes outside of the capital city of Accra, near the coast. Tema prides itself on its SOS-Hermann Gmeiner School and Tema International Schools with national and international reputation. Its population is approximately 200,000. The schools aim to provide a world class international education for young people in a multi-cultural context, for the benefit of Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians alike. With the opening of an artificial harbor in 1961, Tema developed from a small fishing village to become Ghana’s leading seaport and industrial center. Most of the country’s chief export, cacao, is shipped from Tema.

Program Mission:

1. Experience in Ghana can stimulate a student’s growth in academic competence. This field placement builds on an initial eight weeks of student teaching in Michigan and provides continuity and support in preparing teachers for multicultural classrooms.
2. International experiences further develop each student’s personal and international philosophies. Students develop both and understanding of another culture and an increased ability to make comparative decisions and judgments in new situations.
3. These experiences expand students' international understanding and prepare them for intelligent participation in society.

Costs and Financial Aid:

1. In addition to regular tuition and personal spending money, the estimated costs of the Student Teaching Abroad Program include expenses for room, field trips, health insurance, administrative fee, airfare, meals, and passport. Costs in 2006 ranged from $4,500 to $6,000.
2. Financial aid provided by CMU may be applied toward the cost of this program. It is also possible to apply for aid based on the program's additional cost. Students are encouraged to apply for the various available scholarships both through TEPD and CMU. Click here for TEPD scholarship information and click here for OIE scholarships for study abroad.

Accommodations: Bed and Breakfast accommodations are provided by SOS Village (the school’s dormitory) in Tema. This expense is included in the overall program cost.

Expectations of Students: Department faculty members accompany the student teacher group to Ghana and supervise their eight-week internships.

While studying in Ghana student teachers:

• Observe different school organizations and methods of teaching subject matter.
• Learn to work effectively with people in unfamiliar situations, which can help them develop both tolerance and self-confidence.
• Live in a bed and breakfast/dormitory environment for an extended period of time, thus experiencing learning in Tema in greater depth than a typical travel/study course.

Applications: Three applications are required.

1. A TEPD Student Teaching Application.
2. An International Student Teaching Application.
3. An Office of International Education application.

For further information, please feel free to contact Dr. Tom Kromer who will accompany students in Fall 2008.