Immerse Yourself in African Culture
Study abroad in Ghana with ThisWorldMusic and UMass Amherst and experience life in an African village! Participants live and study at the world renowned Dagbe Cultural Institute & Arts Centre, taking group classes and private lessons in traditional African drumming, dance and craft making from the Dagbe Institute’s highly trained staff of local artists.
Located in the scenic coastal village of Kopeyia, the Dagbe Institute’s rigorous instruction and authentic natural surroundings make for a Ghana study abroad experience unlike any other. Intense periods of study are interspersed with exciting excursions to nearby beaches and outdoor markets, as well as participation in and observation of local festivals.
ELIGIBILITY: Enrollment is open to students and professionals worldwide, as well as to the general public. You do not need to be enrolled at UMass or any other college or university to participate in this study abroad program.
African Music & Dance Course Overview
In this 11-day summer study abroad program, participants are introduced to a wide range of topics related to African culture, philosophy, and daily life, with an emphasis on West African dance and drumming. Led by one of ThisWorldMusic’s program leaders, the group lives for 1 week in the Dagbe Institute’s on-campus dormitory.
The Ghana study abroad program also explores the capital city of Accra, where participants take an exclusive tour of a master drum maker’s workshop, visit a famous live music club and sample Ghanaian cuisine. While in Accra, participants shop at the National Arts Centre and are treated to a private performance and workshop with the acclaimed Ghana National Dance Ensemble.
“I gained a deeper sense of what it means to be a community.”
In partnership with
Summer Study Abroad: Credit & Cost
Offered through the UMass Amherst Department of Music & Dance for 3 credits (undergraduate or graduate) or equivalent professional development credits (PDP/CRU/PLU/CEU). Admission on all ThisWorldMusic Ghana programs is rolling, meaning enrollment first-come, first-served.
$2,750 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, plus breakfast all other days
- 25 hours of instruction
- all major in-country transport
- select cultural events
- automatic complimentary enrollment in West African Rescue Association, a private air/ground ambulance service
Additional benefits:
- Pre-departure advising and airport pickup/drop-off
- Full-time program leadership and support
- Complimentary use of personal international mobile phone
Not included:
- Airfare: $1,500-$2,200* (estimated)
- Meals and bottled water when not at Dagbe Institute: $125 (estimated)
- Additional private instruction (optional): $100 ($10/hour)
- Mobile phone call credit: $15 (estimated)
- Vaccinations/immunizations: depends on insurance
- International travel health insurance: $30-$45
- Visa fee: $60
- Transcripting fee: $175 (if taking course for credit)
*Based on past prices. Airfare to Ghana can fluctuate dramatically.