Pre-Departure Orientation
University of Ghana
Fall and Year
July 14, 2015
Welcome to the Orientation
Be sure that you have not only logged into the Webinar on your
computer, but that you have also called in to the webinar on your
phone. Follow the instructions in your Meeting Confirmation e-mail.
Dial-In Number: (866) 740-1260
Access Code: 4787318
If you have called in and cannot hear the audio of this webinar, use the
chat box to let us know.
There will be a Q&A session at the end of the presentation. Please
write your questions down as they arise and wait until prompted to ask
them.
Thank you for joining us!
Welcome & Who’s Who
Getting Ready & Arrival
Living Abroad
Activities
Health
UCEAP – Systemwide Office
Program
Specialist
Academic
Specialist
Program
Advisor
Student Finance
Accountant
Amy Frohlich
afrohlich@
eap.ucop.edu
Eva Bilandzia
ebilandzia@
eap.ucop.edu
David Palm
dpalm@
eap.ucop.edu
Jarrett Dutra
Studentfinance@
eap.ucop.edu
UCEAP – Ghana Study Center
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Dr. Rose Walls,
Resident Director
Ms. Sharon Okantey,
Program Coordinator
Ms. Dorcas Oware,
Program Assistant
Mr. Solomon Mensah,
Driver
UCEAP Guides/Participants Portal
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!
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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.
You can always contact us with any questions.
Be prepared!
GETTING READY
& ARRIVAL
Before You Go
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You should have a visa by now.
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.
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Register with U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
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Pack light! You can buy almost everything you need in Ghana.
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Hand carry the arrival instructions from your PDC.
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Print your UCEAP insurance card, read both sides, and place it in your wallet.
Arrival
Thursday, July 30th
Arrive in Ghana!
Accra’s Kotoka International Airport (ACC)
• Immigration
• Disembarkation Card
• Yellow Fever Card
• Baggage Claim
• Customs
• Airport pickup
Be careful of scams.
On-site orientation:
• July 30 – August 15, 2015
• Ghanaian Society & Culture
• Lectures and field trips
On-Site Orientation
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UCEAP Orientation
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
Make It Count!
While abroad, you will be 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.
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.
“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 Returnee
Housing: Your Choice
•
Legon Hall (All male)
International Student
Hostel (ISH)
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Volta Hall
Poly Tank and Laundry
Money and Banking
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Currency Exchange
- US $1 dollar = 3.00 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 debit card
Communication
Cell Phones
 Bring an unlocked phone or
buy a phone (~$50) after
arrival
 Purchase SIM card and reload
 Many students use Skype,
Vibe, or Tango to
communicate with family &
friends in the U.S.
Internet Access (intermittent)
 Wireless Internet at Study
Center
 Computer Labs at IPO (free)
 Internet Cafes
 Dorms (for a nominal fee
~$5)
Meals
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Campus canteens
Street vendors
Open air market
Dorm Dining Hall
Restaurants
Dorm cafeterias
Transportation
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Bus STC/VIP or Metro Bus (orange)
Taxi
Tro Tro
UCEAP Van
Activities
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Wellness Program
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Palavar Group Sessions
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Publishing Project
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Mid- Semester Fun
Activities(BBQ, Football,
Concerts, etc.)
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Activities with the Director
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End of Program Celebration
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Thanksgiving/Easter/ Passover
Celebrations
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Group Travel
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Monthly Birthday Celebrations
Cultural Adjustment
• 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.
Health
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Review your UCEAP Insurance Plan so you understand all 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.
If you become ill while abroad (including mental health issues):
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Notify the Ghana Study Center for an escorted health visit which means you
are driven and accompanied by staff when desired
Use the medical referral list and choose a facility that accepts our insurance-pay first then
submit claim for reimbursement
Safety
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Traffic
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Scams
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You will stick out as a foreigner, and thus a mark for scams
Theft
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Exercise special caution when crossing streets
Be aware of pick-pockets, especially in tourist areas, airports, public transportation
Nightlife
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Alcohol consumption impairs our judgment and increases risky behavior, which increases the risk
for crime
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Maximum capacity laws not enforced and emergency exits are not always accessible
Drugs
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Trafficking, manufacturing, importing and exporting of drugs can result in the death penalty
ACADEMICS
University of Ghana
• Established in 1948
• Close to 30,000 students
• British style teaching, but some classes
are now more Western style
• Professors from around the world
• Lecture style; lots of self-study
• Volunteering, Internships and Research
Projects
UCEAP Academics
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Your MyEAP Study List is your official UC record. Make sure it accurately reflects the
courses you are taking in this program. Do not try to enter anything into MyEAP
until after you have received instructions. 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.
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.
Program Extension
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Departmental Pre-Approval to
Extend - Yes
Request for Final Approval to Extend
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Departmental Pre-Approval to
Extend - No
Petition to Extend
Returning Home
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Pay all outstanding fees to UG 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.
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.”
- UCEAP Ghana Student
Q & A’s
Ask Away!