May 30 - June 19, 2009
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 | when more info. is available |
Study Site
Kumasi is a city of approximately 2 million people located in the interior of Ghana. Like other regions of Africa, Ghana suffers from disease, poverty, and other pressing social issues. Field work and activities will take place in Kumasi and surrounding villages. On the weekends students will be able to visit the coast, tour slave castles, and visit the rainforests of Ghana. They may also choose to visit a wildlife reserve and take part in the natural beauty this country has to offer.
Sustainable Village Project
The Sustainable Village Project is a cohort of approximately 22,000 people in 20 rural villages approximately 25 kilometers from Kumasi, Ghana. These villages are part of an ongoing collaborative effort between Ghanaian and U.S. researchers to promote health in rural Ghana. The group of researchers, in collaboration with local village leaders, are working together to address pressing health issues including those associated with malaria, schistosomiasis, and diarrheal illnesses.
Course Goals
Through participation in the global health prerequisite class and on-site field work, the students will learn about cultural, social, political, and health issues currently facing Ghana. They will learn about current public health problems including infectious diseases, the Ghana national health care program, water and sanitation systems, and methods to health development and improving general health and quality of life. Students will be able to witness current programs in place to improve the health in Ghana, and participate in field work programs that focus on community health development in connection with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) School of Medical Sciences.
Credit
Students will receive 4 undergraduate elective credit hours or 4 graduate elective credit hours for participating in field work projects in Ghana. This course has been approved as a Service Learning class.
Tentative Itinerary
| Depart U.S. | May 30, 2009 |
| Arrive Accra | May 31, 2009 |
| Depart Ghana | June 19, 2009 |
Accommodation
Students will be housed on KNUST campus and field dormitories. Low cost restaurants and laundry services are located near the dormitories. A computer lab is also located nearby on campus for internet use.
Pre-Departure Class
All students participating in the study abroad program are required to take a three credit global health course in during the spring semester in addition to a one credit trip preparation lab.
Getting to Ghana
Students will make their own travel arrangements to arrive in Accra, Ghana by the appointed date. Students may also be interested in visiting other locations in Africa or Europe at their own expense following the Ghana experience.
Program Director
Dr. Stephen C. Alder, PhD., Division Chief of the Division of Public Health in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine will serve as Program Director. Dr. Alder has had previous experience as program director in Ghana and Mali and has been affiliated with various public health programs in Russia and Papua New Guinea. Dr. Devon Hale, the Assistant Dean of International Medical Studies, has participated in service trips to Ghana for several years and will provide assistance for this program. Other faculty and staff will be provided by the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and KNUST in Kumasi, Ghana.
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Program Cost
To be announced. The program cost in 2008 was approximately $3000.
Includes: Tuition (summer course), lodging in Ghana, breakfasts, laundry, some local transportation, and international health insurance.
Does Not Include: Airfare, passport, visa, tuition for Spring 2009 course, books, some meals, personal expenses, some local transportation, optional excursions, and independent travel.
Although not anticipated, the program price may change due to fluctuation of currency exchange rates and contracted agencies, or number of participants.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for U of U students. Download the applications on-line or visit the Study Abroad Office for more information.
The University of Utah Global Health Alliance (UUGHA) also has scholarships available. Click here to download the UUGHA Scholarship Application.
Withdrawal & Refund Policy
Students who withdraw from the program prior to departure will lose $200 plus any unrecoverable fees from the Study Abroad Office . To withdraw, the applicant
must formally file a Withdrawal Form with
the Study Abroad Office. If an applicant is
determined ineligible to participate, the $500
deposit will be refunded in full.
Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Minimum age of 18
- Students must enroll in a preparatory course (DFPM 6530: Global Public Health) during Spring 2009,this is a 4 credit class.
- Priority is given to graduate students enrolled in the Public Health program. Other applicants must get approval from the Division Chief.
Application Deadline
December 12 , 2008. Applications will be reviewed and participants will be notified if their application has been accepted by December 19, 2008.
Application Process
- Students must submit a complete Global Health Application, including a personal statement, letter of reference, and a photocopy of the first page of their passport, or proof of passport application.
- The application and $500 initial program payment should be presented or mailed to the Cashier's Window, 165 Student Services Building. (Please be sure to include your U of U ID number). The cashier will issue a receipt and stamp your application "Paid." Return the application materials to the Study Abroad Office. All applications will be reviewed by the program director and the Study Abroad Office staff to determine eligibility. Applicants will be notified by email of their acceptance into the program. Non U of U students should submit their initial program payments directly to the Study Abroad Office.
- Additional pre-departure materials will be emailed to all accepted participants.
- If an applicant is determined ineligible for program participation the $500 payment will be refunded in full.
- U of U students, students at other colleges or universities, alumni and qualified members of our community are welcome to apply to participate in U of U study abroad programs.
- Ghana applicants only: Submit 2-3 paragraphs on how you cope in stressful situations. All Ghana applicants will also be interviewed as part of the application procedure.
- Questions about the application process? Contact the Study Abroad Office.
Download this information
Pre-Departure Handbook: The Study Abroad Office would like you to have a safe and healthy experience abroad. Therefore, we are asking that you read carefully the Pre-Departure Handbook then sign and return the required documents (at the end of the handbook) to the Study Abroad Office:
200 S. Central Campus Drive
Union 159
Salt Lake City UT 84112
FAX: 801-581-5914
This information is available for printout in a brochure form. If you would like to download (pdf/Adobe Acrobat) a copy, please click here.
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Program Director |
Associate Director *For additional questions please contact Benjamin Crookston. |
