Aya Centre - Conference Agenda

Conference Agenda

Studying Abroad in the Republic of Ghana:
New Directions in Service Learning and Community Development

February 23-27, 2011

Mensvic Grand Hotel
East Legon / Greater Accra, Ghana

Wednesday, February 23, 2011
All Day/Evening	Arrival + Registration

Thursday, February 24, 2011
8am – 8:50am	Breakfast at Mensvic Grand Hotel
9am – 10:30am	1st Keynote Address: “What Every International Visitor Should Know About Ghana,” Prof. Kofi Opoku Asare, Vice President, African University College of Communications (AUCC)
11am – 1pm	1st Panel Sessions (run concurrently): (1) Staying Healthy What are some of the ways students can stay healthy—mentally and physically—while studying abroad in sub-Saharan Africa? What should students’ pre-departure health preparations consist of? Daily health care planning and major medical problem solving will also be discussed. (2) Remaining Security Conscious What are some of the ways students can remain safe and secure while studying abroad in Ghana? What are some of the specific risks and potential dangers, both locally and globally? And what are some of the proven strategies of staying out of trouble? (3) Opportunities for Cross Cultural Immersion What are some of the ways students can immerse themselves in the cultural patterns and lifestyles of Ghanaian society? What behavioral and attitudinal strategies can be adopted to ensure that the experience of studying abroad in Ghana will be genuinely transforming?

1:10pm – 2:50pm	Lunch at Mensvic Grand Hotel

3pm – 5pm	2nd Panel Sessions (run concurrently): (4) Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Issues What are some of the major issues confronting African American students in their search for cultural-heritage ties with sub-Saharan Africa? What are some of the broader race and ethnic issues confronting students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds? And what are some of the specific gender based issues confronting female students in Ghana? (5) Students Ventilating Foreign students currently enrolled in Service Learning programs at the University of Ghana, Ashesi University, and New York University in Ghana talk frankly about their experiences in Ghana. (6) Community Development What is the meaning of ‘community development,’ in both the local and global contexts, and in what ways can students, faculty, interns, and community service workers contribute to sustainable development and self-empowerment in Ghana?

7pm – 9pm	Welcome Dinner / Traditional African Dance & Drumming Performance


Friday, February 25, 2011

8am – 8:50am	Breakfast at Mensvic Grand Hotel

9am – 10:30am	2nd Keynote Address: “Globalization and the Challenges of Higher Education in Africa,” Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso, Senior Research Fellow, Legon Centre for International Affairs, University of Ghana
11am – 1pm	3rd Panel Sessions (run concurrently): (7) Faculty Led Programs in Ghana U.S. Faculty from some of the most successful faculty-led winter, spring, and summer session programs in Ghana discuss some of the major challenges they faced, strategies used, and successes achieved in running their programs. These programs include either a Service Learning or Community Development component. (8) Service Learning I: Surveying the Field of Possibilities Programme Officers from the Aya Centre discuss the wide variety of service learning opportunities that are available in Ghana; some of the challenges facing international students at their workplaces; and some of the success stories (for the interns and the agencies for whom they work). (9) Service Learning II: Hearing from the Practitioners The actual internship providers discuss some of the major challenges and opportunities they face in providing internship opportunities at their various institutions. Who are the ideal internees, and how can the interests of the internees converge with the aims and objectives of the institution to ensure joint satisfaction?

1:10pm – 2:50pm	Lunch at Mensvic Grand Hotel

3pm – 5pm	4th Panel Sessions (run concurrently): (10) Study Abroad Programs in Ghana I Resident Directors and Coordinators from Study Abroad programs in Ghana—viz. CIEE, NYU, and SIT—discuss some of the challenges, opportunities, and unique features of their programs. (11) Studying Abroad Programs in Ghana II Resident Directors and Coordinators from Study Abroad programs in Ghana—viz. ISEP, USAC, AHA International—discuss some of the challenges, opportunities, and unique features of their programs. (12) Selected Tertiary Institutions in Ghana Officials from the International Programs offices at the University of Ghana, Ashesi University, and AUCC discuss the challenges and opportunities, programs and policies, associated with studying abroad at their universities in Ghana. Emphasis will be placed on service-learning opportunities at their various institutions.

8pm – Until	Dinner at Chez Afrique / Live Band


Saturday, February 26, 2011 (Optional)*

7am – 8am	Breakfast at Mensvic Grand Hotel / Store Luggage
8am – 10am	Tour of Accra, University of Ghana & the Aya Centre
10am – 11am	Shopping at Cultural Arts Centre
11am – 2pm	Travel to Cape Coast and Elmina / Box Lunch
2pm – 3:30pm	Tour Cape Coast Castle
4pm – 4:30pm	Check in Coconut Grove Beach Resort Hotel
7pm – 9pm	Dinner at Coconut Grove Beach Resort Hotel

Sunday, February 27, 2011 (Optional)*

8am – 8:50am	Breakfast at Coconut Grove Beach Resort Hotel
9am – Noon	Return to Accra / Mensvic Grand Hotel / Collect Stored Luggage
1pm – 2pm	Lunch at Chez Afrique Restaurant
2pm – 4pm	Rest / Relax / Internet at Aya Centre
4pm – Until	Airport Departures

* The travel and tour package scheduled for Saturday and Sunday is an optional experience—priced separately—that conference participants may select at their convenience. Otherwise, the Conference ends Friday evening; hotel check-out is the following day at 12 noon, with airport shuttle service available throughout the day.

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