Students enrolling in a new J-term course titled "Community Engagement in Ghana" will broaden their horizons through travel to this culturally diverse and historically significant West African nation in late December.

The program led by Dr. Ephraim Nikoi, a native of Ghana, encourages students to learn first-hand the complexity of community development as they work closely with community leaders in low-income schools, women's economic ventures, youth-led environmental initiatives, and local tourism development. 

Through daily interactions with the local people students will develop greater intercultural competence during the 3-week program.  Upon their arrival on December 26, they will immediately enjoy the festivities of Boxing Day, a popular holiday celebrated in former British colonies.

One of the historical sites visited will be the Cape Coast Castle with its infamous "door of no return," which for more than 100 years launched millions of Africans captured off this shore into a short and brutal life of slavery.  Although today Cape Coast is a city of about a million people, it was once the capital of what was then known as the Gold Coast.   The British later moved the capital to Accra in 1877.  The students will also visit Aburi, a smaller agricultural community in the mountains where cacao and rubber are grown.

The deadline for enrolling in the program is October 1.  Those desiring more information should contact Dr. Nikoi