Faculty-led programs
Child development and disability culture in West Africa
Africa
1-3 graduate credits in Occupational Therapy
Spring course with eight on-campus sessions
May 23-June 3, 2010
Professor Stacey Reynolds Ph.D., OTR/L
$1,195 plus airfare and tuition
Registration deadline: Nov. 30, 2009
Status: Program open
The Office of International Education and the School of Allied Health Professions are pleased to offer a unique opportunity for students to study child development and disability culture in Ghana, West Africa. Students have the opportunity to explore Ghanaian culture and history in several different facilities in the Accra Region and Cape Coast. This program provides an ideal setting to explore the social issues facing Ghanaian children today. The program is suited for occupational therapy students or practicing occupational therapist.
Course and credit options: OCCT 691 Special Topics in Occupational Therapy
Course description
The program will engage occupational therapists and occupational therapy students in a cultural experience in Ghana. The focus of the course will be studying the occupational roles of children and adults with disabilities in a developing country and the barriers to participate in society. A special focus will be placed on children with disabilities and children who are disadvantaged by their family situation (e.g. orphans, street children). Participants will visit and volunteer at the Beacon House Orphanage and the Accra Autism Training Center as well as work with street children currently being served by the host organization, Sovereign Global Mission. Students will plan projects during the spring semester and then implement the projects while in West Africa. Projects will include providing in-services for schools and centers in the area, conducting culturally sensitive developmental screenings and progress evaluation for children with disabilities, and interviewing local leaders to gain a better understanding of the disability culture in this part of West Africa. Course participants will attend (live or virtual) two pre-trip sessions which will review travel safety, course objectives and an introduction to Ghanaian culture. Upon return to the U.S., students will be responsible for working in teams to prepare a presentation (local, state or national level) on their trip.
The program will be led by Stacey Reynolds, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of occupational therapy in the VCU School of Allied Health Professions. Reynolds volunteered at the Eugemot orphanage in the Volta Region in Ghana and has visited many of the orphanages, schools and rehabilitation centers in the Accra region. This will be her second time leading a VCU Education Abroad program to Ghana.
Registration deadline: Nov. 30, 2009
Applications will be accepted until the deadline or until participant space is full.
Program cost
$1,195 plus airfare and applicable VCU tuition
The program fee is $1,195 and includes the following:
- Accommodations
- Some meals
- Study visits and tours
- Ground transportation
- On-site program director support
- Application fee and deposit
- Pre-departure orientation
- VCU administrative fees
- International Student Identification Card
The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
- VCU tuition and fees
- Airfare
- Most meals
- Passport application fee
- Visa fees
- Necessary vaccinations/medication
- Personal expenses during the program (estimated at $300)
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Airfare
Round-trip airfare is not included in the program fee. Students should purchase a ticket, as advised by the program director, from Dulles International Airport, in Washington, D.C., to Accra, Ghana.
Eligibility
In order to participate in this program, students must have taken OCCT 532 or a graduate level child development course.
While in Ghana
Students will visit the SGM Children’s Center, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Independence Square, National Museum, Beacon House Orphanage, Accra Rehabilitation Centre, Cape Coast Castle, and the West Africa Historical Museum while in Ghana.
While in the Accra Region, students will be housed at The President Hotel. A few group dinners will be included in the program fee; however, students will be responsible for most of their meals.
Important facts
- Tuition
- Financial aid
- Passports
- Payment of fees
- Refund policy
Tuition is charged separately at applicable VCU rates.
Eligible VCU students may apply for need-based financial aid to participate in this program. Contact VCU Financial Aid, Ginter House, Room 110B at (804) 828-6669 or e-mail faidmail@vcu.edu. VCU offers its students a limited number of scholarships for study abroad participation. Contact VCU Education Abroad or see our Web site for further details.
If you have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months after your return date. If you do not have a passport, apply early because the processing time can take up to eight weeks. For more information on how to apply for a passport, visit http://travel.state.gov.
The non-refundable registration fee of $250 is due upon registration. The balance of the program fee and the tuition costs (based on the number of credits taken) will be billed separately through VCU Student Accounting after May 2010 (both amounts may be billed at the same time).
All withdrawals must be made in writing and submitted to the Director of Education Abroad.
The refund schedule is as follows:
- Prior to Jan. 8: I am eligible for a refund of the portionof the program fee that has not already been expended in payment of costs outlined on the individual program sheet in support of my participation. I understand that, as the spring progresses, the charges may reflect an increasing amount, depending on what payments have been made on my behalf. After Jan. 8, I understand that the entire program fee may be due. I understand that the refund amount cannot be determined until I formally submit written withdrawal from the program.
- After Jan. 8: I will be responsible to pay the entire program fee. In the event of an unexpected emergency that occurs after Jan. 8, I understand that I must provide a physician’s certification that my condition prohibits participation. In this case, refunds will be limited to recoverable expenses.
Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs. The university reserves the right to revise or alter all fees, regulations pertaining to student fees, and fee collection procedures at any time.
