Academic Program
4 Credits, 2 weeks
The program is designed to provide students with interest in public health the opportunity to participate in this program. All students will enroll in NURS 365: Public Health in West Africa
Course Description:
Students will travel from Ramapo College – New Jersey to Ghana. They will reside and visit three main locations in Ghana: Kumasi (the main program base), Cape Coast & Accra. In each location, visits and guest lectures will allow the students to get first-hand contact and converse with members of the local and international healthcare communities, officials, as well as African students and academicians. Our academic base for the program will be at Ramapo’s partner institution Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology in Kumasi. The study abroad program will also include guided tours of major historical and tourist attractions. A high proportion of countries with the poorest health indices in the world are located in West Africa and continuing problems in the sub region pose considerable challenge at efforts to improve the health of people living there. (www.globalhealthframework.net/).
This study abroad program is designed for students who have an interest in healthcare or social sciences. The number of students is capped, so apply early. This study trip can be used to satisfy the general education – international issues category as well as satisfying the community assessment assignment of the NURS 415 Patterns of Community Health nursing capstone course.
Prior to starting the program, there will be 15-hours of online instruction and a 2 hour pre-departure orientation session (attendance is mandatory). A Ghanaian nurse will give a brief overview of the country, politics, and healthcare practices. She will discuss the recent history and its impact on the infrastructure of the country. She will also review standards of behavior expected of all students. The course faculty will share prior experiences with working in Ghana and provide protocol expectation. Upon return, students will attend a debriefing session on campus.
The objective of this study abroad program to Ghana, West Africa is to expose students to differences in healthcare environments and the cultural implications for healthcare. This program offers a comprehensive overview of community healthcare in Ghana as well as introduction to African civilization, society, and culture.
By the end of the study abroad program, students will appreciate the impact that politics play on the delivery of healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa. Students will also experience the impact that the work of Ramapo nursing faculty has on transforming the curriculum.
On return to RCNJ after these experiential learning opportunities students will make presentations to students and faculty groups about their lived experiences.
Field Excursions
The program will include the following field excursions, to both complement the academic course, as well as provide insights into the culture and context of Ghana:
- Manhyia Palace Museum (Kumasi)
- Juaben & Kwaso
- Kente Cloth Weaving (Bonwire)
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kumasi)
- Kumasi Cultural Centre (Kumasi)
- Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary
- Elmina Castle (Cape Coast)
- Kakum Park (Cape Coast)
- Ghana Ministry of Health (Accra)
Accommodations
Students will reside in university guesthouses and hotels in each program site. The majority of meals are included in the cost.
Follow Ramapo