Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or above
Location: Africa, Ghana
GPA: 2.5

Program Overview

This program is ideal for students interested in medicine, public/global health, community and international development, social work, psychology, and mental health.  On this program, you will take courses examining health and development in Ghana, as well as contemporary issues facing Ghanaian society. As a complement to your coursework, you will be placed in a hands-on service learning experience that is matched to your specific interests and background, which can be a nice addition to your resume. 

This program was designed in collaboration with the Global Health Minor Program at the University of Oregon, and all credits earned on this program can be applied towards the minor.

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Sustainable Goal: Good Health and Well-Being

As the capital of Ghana, Accra is well known for its traditional and contemporary arts, vibrant music scene, and bustling outdoor markets. Experience the welcoming hospitality of the Ghanaian people as you discover the wide variety of cultural events, festivals and performances Accra has to offer. 

This program includes three weekend excursions:

  • Cape Coast
  • Kumasi
  • Volta region 

In these excursions, students will learn about the Volta region’s unique history, visit modern-day African markets, and see “slave castles” on the Gold Coast that were used in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. 

You will receive pre-departure cultural and language orientation by a GEO staff, and on-site orientation by local staff upon your arrival. 

Dates and Deadlines

Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Summer 2026 03/15/2026 06/27/2026 08/22/2026

This program has a rolling admission application process: GEO staff (and the program faculty leader, if applicable) will complete a review of the application materials of complete applications in the order that they are submitted (“first come, first serve”). Decisions about acceptance will be made shortly after you submit a complete application. There are some programs that fill fast, some even before the deadline. Students are encouraged to complete applications and commit to programs early.

Acceptance is based on a holistic review of your application.  This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and the short statement. Some programs require a letter of recommendation from a faculty that is not the program's faculty leader. If a letter of recommendation is required, you will find more information in your GEO application portal.

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Lessons from Ghana

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Coming home from any trip can be a readjustment. Coming home from eight weeks studying abroad in a foreign country is certainly a new experience for many people, me included. When you first arrive in… read more

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Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

You will take 3 courses and earn up to 14 UO credits, including:

  1. Ghana Health and Society (5 UO credits): approved as GLBL 300-level credit, PPPM 388, and Global Health Minor Social Sciences/Humanities Elective

    Examine the impact of cultural beliefs and practices, colonialism, globalization, and political economy on the health of Ghanaians. 

  2. Tropical Disease (5 UO credits): approved as BI 300-level credit, and Global Health Minor Natural Sciences Elective

    You will examine both well-known diseases and ‘neglected tropical diseases’ that impact Ghana and other tropical regions. 

  3. Service Learning seminar and placement (up to 4 UO credits): approved as GLBL or BI 400 level credit, and Global Health Minor Field Experience

    Note: Service learning schedules will vary according to the assigned placement, but you should expect to spend up to 15 hours a week at the placement site. You will earn service learning credit based on the number of hours you complete in your placement plus 8 hours in the service learning seminar. 

    Thirty hours of service learning equates to one quarter credit at the University of Oregon. Usually, forty-five hours of service learning equates to one semester credit, but you will need to confirm with your home campus. 
     

All courses offered are recognized and approved for academic credit by various GEO partner institutions. Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. 

 

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Additional Requirements

All students will need to obtain a visa. You will receive more information about this during the application process.

Faculty and Staff

All faculty work with the Aya Centre, a private institution that is designed to enhance the learning experience and cultural awareness of persons traveling to Ghana. Students are supported throughout their time on site by the Aya Centre staff.

Housing Description

You can choose from three different housing options in Accra:

  1. Stay at the Aya Centre
  2. Live with a host family
  3. Do a combination of both (Aya Centre and host family) 

Host families will provide you with cultural support, breakfast and dinner, a private room with a study area, and light laundry. 

The Aya Centre is completely furnished, equipped with a kitchen (including basic cooking facilities and utensils), a dining room, a laundry room, a large living room, and a small patio. Rooms house two to four students and each room has a private bathroom and ceiling fan.

Budget and Price

Global Health and Service-Learning in Ghana

2025 Summer

Program Fees Paid to GEO
UO Study Abroad Fee* $500
Program Tuition, housing & included meals** $7,335
Insurance $165
Other Estimated Expenses
Estimated Airfare from Eugene $2,800
Estimated Additional Meals $1,700
Estimated Cell Phone Expenses $250
Estimated Local Transportation $750
Estimated Travel Clinic & Pre-departure physical* $50
Estimated Cost of Immunizations $750
Estimated Cost of acquiring a passport $150
Estimated Visa Expenses $200
Estimated Additional Living Expenses $900
Total
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance $15,550

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

**This budget reflect the estimated costs of the Aya Centre housing options. Students placed at the Aya Centre are responsible for preparing all meals. Students who select the homestay option will be charged an additional $1040, which includes breakfasts and dinners with the host family. Students staying in homestays do not need to budget as much for additional meals as estimated below.

* Non-UO Students: study abroad fees and application fees vary by campus; check with your home campus study abroad office. Travel clinic & health center fees vary by campus.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program

Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit 
8 weeks before program start date

Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees  
Program start date or after program begins

Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees 
Note that scholarship funds are not able to be applied to program deposit.

IMPORTANT: The GEO Cancellation Policy is effective from the time a student agrees to pay their non-refundable program deposit or electronically signs the program commitment form, regardless of application or acceptance status. It is essential to read this policy before a potential cancellation takes place, to fully understand the withdrawal and cancellation penalties, and to understand what it means financially to commit to a study abroad program.

Students who cancel their participation must notify GEO in writing. Email is acceptable (geoinfo@uoregon.edu). Verbal notification to GEO or notification given to a non-UO campus study abroad office is not sufficient.

For full details, see the complete GEO Cancellation Policy.

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