Faculty-led programs
Ghana: Cross-cultural research
Africa
3 or 6 undergraduate credits in AFAM or PSYC
May 21-June 6, 2010
Professor Vivian Dzokoto, Ph.D.
$1,820 plus airfare and VCU tuition
Registration deadline: March 26, 2010
Status: Program open
The Office of International Education, the African American Studies Department and the VCU Psychology Department are pleased to offer a unique opportunity for students to conduct research in Ghana. This study abroad program will provide an educational experience in designing and conducting research in a non-western cultural environment. Participants will study important issues in cultural psychology, learn about Ghanaian culture and conduct research. Students will explore Ghanaian society while identifying and describing cultural themes and perspectives in the field of cultural psychology. This program will take you on an academic and experiential journey into the captivating complexity of Ghanaian culture.
Course and credit options: AFAM 491 or PSYC 491
Course description
This course will engage students in a structured academic and cultural experience in Richmond, Va., and Accra, Ghana. The course first examines how culture affects the way that the human mind operates, thereby shaping aspects of human psychology such as emotions, behavior and motivation. The course will then examine several aspects of Ghanaian culture. Finally, students will participate in a research project that explores an aspect of Ghanaian behavior.
Vivian Dzokoto, Ph.D., is originally from Ghana and graduated from the University of Ghana and worked as a teaching assistant at the university during the 1997-98 academic school year. Dzokoto conducts research in Ghana every year and has worked on research projects involving various Ghanaian sub-populations, focusing on mental health, economic psychology and emotion. She has been involved in two cross-cultural immersion programs in Ghana with the School of International Training’s Experiment in International Living (EIL) and Global Leadership Adventures (GLA).
Registration deadline: March 26, 2010
Applications will be accepted until the deadline or until participant space is full.
Program cost
$1,820 plus airfare and VCU tuition
The program fee is $1,820 and includes the following:
- Accommodations
- Most meals
- Guest lectures
-
Study visits and tours
- On-site program director
- 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:
- Airfare
- VCU tuition and fees
- Some meals
- Passport application fee
- Visa fee
- Personal expenses during the program (estimated at $400)
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Airfare
Airfare is not included. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements from the U.S. to Accra, Ghana and from Accra, Ghana to the U.S. Dzokoto will assist participants in identifying low-cost options.
Eligibility
This program is open to students from varied backgrounds and assumes students have some background in one or more of the following by May 2010:
- Statistics (equivalent to an undergraduate course in applications of statistics)
- Research methods in a Social Science/Humanities area
- African American Studies, African Studies, International Studies, (equivalent to at least one undergraduate course in either)
Students must have a 2.0 GPA or higher in order to participate in the VCU summer study abroad program.
While in Africa
There will be excursions to the following cultural sites: Cape Cost Castle and the Kakum National Park in the central region of Ghana (day trip) and the Manhyia Palace and Bonwire Kente Weaving Village in the Ashanti region of Ghana (overnight stay). In addition, students will go on a neighborhood tour of Accra and visit the Accra Market, the University of Ghana’s Botanical Gardens, the National Museum, the Accra Cultural Center, and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum.
Transportation for group tours will be buses provided by AG Leisure Services Ltd. For culture exposure, students will take public transportation in groups for some class exercises and some research activities.
Participants will be housed at the University of Ghana’s For Foundation Guest Center in Legon, Accra, Ghana or the Apaade Lodge in Tesano, a suburb of Accra. The final decision about accommodations will be based on availability, which depends on the total number of students enrolled in the program. Most meals are included.
Important facts
- Tuition
- Financial aid
- Passports
- Payment of fees
- Refund policy
Tuition and fees is charged separately and additionally at standard VCU rates for in-state students and at a 40 percent discount for out-of-state students. Estimated costs, based on current tuition per credit and fees, are as follows: undergraduate in-state, $221 (per 3 credit class: $655); undergraduate out-of-state, $439 (per 3 credit class: $1,309); graduate in-state, $455 (per 3 credit class: $1,357); graduate out-of-state, $567 ($1,693 per 3 credit class).
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 April 15: 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 April 15, 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 April 15: I will be responsible to pay the entire program fee. In the event of an unexpected emergency that occurs after April 15, 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.
