Students that choose to study abroad in Ghana should be prepared for an amazing and completely unique experience. The program is based in crowded, beautiful Accra, the capital of Ghana, where the roads are lined with men dressed in colorful printed patterns and women traipsing the sidewalk carrying merchandise on their heads. Taxis, buses and cars blare beat-heavy music as goats and chickens wander freely through the neighborhoods. The smells of fish, fried plantains and meat — goat kebab anyone? — waft through the air.
You'll never lack things to do or places to see in Ghana. There is an arts center where students can buy items like handmade necklaces, bracelets and drums to bring back to the U.S. as one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Labadi Beach is a great place to swim and lie out in the sun; it also hosts a Reggae Night where students can dance on the sand to live music as an alternative to the standard Accra nightclubs. There are also a number of large, bustling markets where students can buy local delicacies like jollof rice (a spicy rice dish) or tilapia (a local fish). Vegetarians beware: Meat dishes, especially chicken, are ubiquitous in Ghana. Buses are also available that go outside of Accra, so students who go to Ghana should take the time to leave the capital and visit cultural locales like Cape Coast,where they can tour the old slave castles.
Living accommodations for NYU students in Ghana are fantastic. Students live in large, comfortable houses in a residential neighborhood of the city. Each residence includes a spacious living room, kitchen, bedrooms with balconies and multiple bathrooms. Thankfully, air conditioning is included.
The most compelling reason to study abroad in Ghana? The people you will meet. Ghanaians are very welcoming, kind and friendly toward foreigners. It is not uncommon for someone who has just met a foreigner to invite her to have a meal, go dancing or offer up a phone number. Children in Ghana are also excited to meet foreigners and will constantly invite students to play with them. From the moment you step off the plane, Ghana will welcome you with open arms.
