Study in Ghana
Experience life in an African village! Study in Ghana with ThisWorldMusic and UMass Amherst and learn traditional African drumming, dancing, singing and arts & crafts at the Dagbe Cultural Institute & Arts Centre. Located in the scenic coastal village of Kopeyia, the Dagbe Institute’s rigorous instruction and authentic natural surroundings make for an experience unlike any other. Participants also tour Ghana’s rainforests, beaches and unique cultural heritage sites.
ELIGIBILITY: Enrollment is open to students and professionals from the U.S. and Canada. You do not need to be enrolled at UMass or any other college or university to participate.
Course overview: MUSIC 597D
In this 12-day intensive cultural immersion course, students are introduced to a wide range of topics related to African culture, philosophy, and daily life.
Led by UMass Amherst Adjunct Professor and ThisWorldMusic Founder/Director Jeremy Cohen, the group lives for 1 week in the Dagbe Institute’s clean, comfortable dormitory, receiving hands-on instruction from indigenous artists in drumming, dancing, singing and a variety of arts & crafts. While there, the group participates in local festivals, makes excursions to beaches and traditional open markets, and observes daily life in a rural Ghanaian village.
In the capital city of Accra, study in Ghana participants visit the world renowned live music venues, sample local cuisine, tour the workshop of a master drum maker, and participate in a private performance and masterclass with the internationally acclaimed Ghana National Dance Ensemble.
Credit & cost
Offered through the UMass Amherst Department of Music & Dance for 6 credits (undergraduate or graduate) or equivalent professional development credits (PDP/CRU/PLU/CEU). Application deadline is October 15, 2012.
$1950 course fee includes:
- 3 UMASS credits (undergraduate or graduate) or equivalent professional development credits
- lodging for all 10 nights
- all meals and bottled water for 1 week at Dagbe Institute
- complimentary use of international mobile phone
- all major in-country transport
- 25 hours of instruction
- cultural events
Not included:
- airfare: $1,500 (estimated)
- meals and bottled water when not at Dagbe Institute: $150
- books/study materials: $50
- additional private instruction (optional): $100 ($10/hour)
- mobile phone credit: $40 (estimated)
- vaccinations/immunizations: depends on insurance
- Visa fee: $60
Total cost: $3800
For info on how to apply, contact Jeremy Cohen: jcohen@thisworldmusic.com
“I participated in ThisWorldMusic’s study in Ghana program. The music I learned there completely transformed my inner city music classroom.”
- Tara Schwitzman, Philadelphia Public Schools
