pre-departure orientation university of ghana fall and...
TRANSCRIPT
Pre-Departure OrientationUniversity of Ghana
Fall and YearMay 10, 2018
Welcome to the Orientation
This presentation covers highlights that apply to everyone.
Details concerning questions, problems, or situations you may have while abroad are at the links below. Bookmark them!
Participants Portal (guides, calendars, insurance, petitions, more…)
UCEAP Guide to Study Abroad (includes detailed academic policies)
Ghana Program Guide (details about Ghana program)
Your signed Student Agreement confirms that you have read and understand the policies and information in these guides.
There will be a Q&A session at the end of the presentation.
The slides will be posted on your PDC.
UCEAP – Systemwide Office
Program Specialist: Amy [email protected]
Academic Specialist: Eva [email protected]
Academic Coordinator: Jessica [email protected]
Program Advisor: Cheryl [email protected]
Student Finance Accountant: Ben [email protected]
UCEAP – Ghana Study Center
Dr. Rose Walls, Resident Director
Ms. Sharon Okantey, Program Coordinator
Ms. Dorcas Oware, Program Assistant
Mr. Solomon Mensah, Driver
Be prepared!
GETTING READY & ARRIVAL
Before You Go
Secure your visa soon.
Review the program calendar on your Participants page and make travel arrangements to arrive before the official start date.
Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for health information.
Register with U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Pack light! You can buy almost everything you need in Ghana. See the packing tips in the Program Guide (includes tips on clothing).
Hand carry the arrival instructions from your PDC.
Print your UCEAP insurance card, read both sides, and place it in your wallet.
You are a representative of not only the University of California, but also the state of California and the United States of America. Think about what this means and how it will affect your behavior while abroad.
Arrival
August 8Arrive in Accra!Kotoka International Airport (ACC)
Immigration Disembarkation Card Yellow Fever Card Customs Baggage Claim
Airport pickup
Be careful of scams.
On-Site Orientation
UCEAP Orientation August 9 - 19
Lectures
Round Table Discussions & Activities
Educational Travel
Community Service
Practical Skills Training (cooking, washing & transportation)
Introduction to Language
Introduction to African Dance & Drumming
Exercises to Promote Bonding
Student Assistant Mentorship
Prep for UG Registration & Campus Life
Trip to Northern Ghana
LIVING ABROAD
Staying in Touch
As a UCEAP participant, you are obligated to: Contact a family member to notify them of your safe arrival Keep in touch and provide up-to-date contact details in MyEAP Check your UC email address regularly Provide a local cell phone number after arrival
Send an email, text, and/or complete the Travel Signout form to notify UCEAP that you will travel out of town.
“Have a way to notify your family when you arrive, be it through Facebook, Skype, a messaging app etc. until you get a phone number.”
– UCEAP Student
Housing
Options: Legon Hall (co-ed dorm, male rooms
available for UCEAP students) Volta Hall (female dorm) International Student Hostel (ISH)
Facilities: Laundry Showers Kitchen Poly Tank restaurants
Poly Tank & Laundry
Money & Banking
Currency Exchange US $1 dollar = 4.2 cedis (varies)
Cash/ATM ATMs are the easiest way to get cash, but there
are ATM fees. Most students use the ATM for cash, just like in the US.
Credit Cards Accepted at larger establishments
Barclay’s Bank Account (Bank of America) Year students
Charles Schwab or Capitol 1 debit card
Campus
Communication
Cell Phones Bring an unlocked phone or buy
a phone (~$50) after arrival Purchase SIM card and reload Many students use WhatsApp,
Vibe, or Tango to communicate with family & friends in the U.S.
Internet Access (intermittent)
Wireless Internet at Study Center (free)
Computer Labs at IPO (free) Internet Cafes (~$5/month) Dorms (free)
Fun fact: In 1994, Ghana was the first West African nation to be connected to the Internet.
Meals
Campus canteens Street vendors Open air market Dorm Dining Halls Restaurants Bottled water Shared kitchens
Transportation
Bus STC/VIP Metro Bus
(orange) Taxi Tro Tro UCEAP Van
Activities
Wellness Program Palavar Group Sessions Mid- Semester Fun Activities
(BBQ, Football, Concerts, etc.) Activities with the Director End of Program Celebration Thanksgiving/Easter/ Passover
Celebrations Group Travel Monthly Birthday Celebrations
Cultural Adjustment
This is an amazing opportunity to meet people from other societies, make friends from other countries, and to make a difference in your life and in the lives of others.
Stress abroad is not unique or uncommon. There may be times when you feel UCEAP just isn’t working for you. It’s normal to feel homesick, isolated, have family or breakup issues, or academic or money concerns. You may experience emotional ups and downs, and even depression, or illness.
You may also experience “culture shock.” Follow the lead of the locals. Exercise, journal/blog, do activities that you enjoy at home, try new activities, laugh at mistakes, make friends & get involved in the community. Learn about your new culture and try to fit in. Reach out to others.
You might even consider withdrawing, but be sure to seek advice to explore all other solutions before reaching this important decision. Consult with UCEAP and, if necessary, an onsite counselor before filing paperwork to leave. There can be academic and financial consequences.
“Be open to new cultures! There are times where you may be frustrated at the adjustments (I had to learn to laugh at the frequent power outages), but they all add to your experience. You will be so happy to see the growth at the end!”
Health
Review your UCEAP Travel Insurance Plan so you understand your health coverage and how to use it.
Research any required medication to find out if you can obtain it in Ghana, or if it is even legal! Remember, all medication must be carried in their original, labeled containers.
Purchase your anti malarials 14 days before the program (not sooner) so it’s covered. You will need to pay and submit a claim.
If you become ill while abroad (including mental health issues):
1. Notify the Ghana Study Center for an escorted health visit which means you are driven and accompanied by staff when desired.
2. Use the medical referral list and choose a facility that accepts our insurance-pay first then submit claim for reimbursement.
Safety
Traffic Exercise special caution when crossing streets
Scams You may stick out as a foreigner, and thus a mark for scams
Theft Be aware of pick-pockets, especially in tourist areas, airports, public transportation
Nightlife Alcohol consumption impairs our judgment and increases risky behavior, which increases
the risk for crime Maximum capacity laws not enforced and emergency exits are not always accessible
Drugs Trafficking, manufacturing, importing and exporting of drugs can result in the death penalty Marijuana is illegal in Ghana
ACADEMICS
University of Ghana Established in 1948 Close to 30,000 students British style teaching, but some classes are more Western style Professors from around the world Lecture style; lots of self-study Attendance, exams, papers, group work, presentations, field work,
etc. for assessment Volunteering, Internships and Research Projects UCEAP partner since 1968 {wow!}
UCEAP Academics
Your MyEAP Study List is your official UC record. The courses on your MyEAP study list will be on your official UC transcript with course titles, subject areas, numbers, units and grades which will be calculated into your cumulative UC GPA.
Sample MyEAP Study Lists are in your Program Guide
UC students are required to enroll in 24 UC quarter units (5 to 7 courses) each semester. One third of your total units may be taken pass/no pass – usually two courses. Keep all course material and assignments – you will need them to petition for major, minor, GE
credit when you return to campus. Grades can take up to 90 days to get from U of Ghana to your campus registrar, but fall grades
are usually available in late January to early February.
Internships & Research
Special Study Projects–fieldwork, research, or internship—can enrich your experience.
Pre-departure: Research and write a Preliminary Proposal
On Site: Complete a Special Study Project Form
6 UC quarter units
Special Study graded letter grade or P/NP
Internship and volunteer opportunities: local NGOs and school libraries, the University Hospital,
the National Theatre, the Family and Development Programme, UNESCO, West Africa AIDS Foundation
Sample research projects: HIV prevention and awareness, water supply, climate
change and migration, children and nutrition, peacekeeping operations, mobile technology, women and leadership, plastic pollution, child labor and trafficking
Program Extension Extension
Departmental Pre-Approval to Extend - No
Petition to Extend
Departmental Pre-Approval to Extend - Yes (campus form)
Request for Final Approval to Extend
Returning Home
Pay all outstanding fees to your host university and to UCEAP. Program costs, housing charges, library fines, or more will delay the release of your grades and may block on UC registration.
Bring home course materials to assist you in petitioning for course approval to satisfy major requirements – especially syllabi and any returned graded work, but also any other assignments that will demonstrate what you did.
Check your airline’s luggage restrictions.
Read about reverse culture shock and be aware of common reactions to returning home.
Upon your return, please complete surveys or questionnaires sent to you by UCEAP! Your feedback helps us maintain the quality of the programs, and improve them for future students.
Join our UCEAP Alumni Network!
Questions?
”When considering where to study abroad I decided to take ‘the road less travelled by’. It is quite a frightening experience to leave your comfort zone and throw oneself into a completely unknown territory. However, I feel that leaving my comfort zone has been one of the greatest decisions of my life and I have become a more confident person because of my decision.
Ghana is a beautiful country filled with some of the kindest people I have ever met. Even though there were days when things became a little difficult, I found that keeping an open mind and a positive attitude were important to making my time in Ghana enjoyable. Try and make the most of every day because before you know it, it will be time to head back home.”
Before I went to Ghana, I knew very little about the country. I read a lot before I went but, nothing quite compares to personally living in and experiencing Ghana. The media tends to generalize Africa but, you will find that no two countries are alike. Ghana served as a great introduction into Africa and I would be more than happy to do it all over again. I have learned more during my semester abroad than I have learned in all of my other undergraduate years combined.”
– UCEAP Ghana Returnees
Program Specialist, Amy Frohlich [email protected] Coordinator, Jessica Muscat [email protected] Specialist, Eva Bilandzia [email protected]
Program Advisor, Cheryl Batac [email protected] Accountant, Ben Kinman [email protected]