New program takes students to Ghana

USM’s new Study Abroad in Ghana program aims to explore important historical and current issues in an once-in-a-lifetime international experience in the western portion of the African nation.

Students visit historic sites and  interact with continental Africans in ways that would not be available to them either in this country or on the Internet, said Curtis Austin, associate professor of history and director of USM’s Center for Black Studies.

 “(The Ghana) study abroad program will enable our students, to acquire a first-hand education about the culture and peoples that have had the most lasting effect on the social, political and economic development of Mississippi” said Austin. “By studying African society from the perspective of the Africans and the Europeans who eventually brought those Africans to the western hemisphere, we can provide our students with the intellectual tools to make better decisions as they plan for and build toward a better future for the state.”

The program is a three-week course which includes a series of visits to sites representative of West African culture and history. Observing cultural demonstrations, writing personal reflections, and participating in group discussions will be integral parts of the study abroad experience.

Gina Gayle, professor of practice in the school of mass communication and journalism, said this program is different from other study abroad programs because it offers students the chance to see a very different culture.

“We will be comparing, contrasting, and doing research on the cultures that came from Africa,” Gayle said. “It is almost like making a multi-media map of the traditions that made it over here.”

Students are expected to develop an awareness of Ghana’s cultural aesthetics, history, politics, and status in the global community.

“We don’t have any programs in place in Africa right now,” said Holly Buckner, assistant director of international programs at USM.  “[This program] is a faculty-led program [that highlights] the connection between Mississippi and Ghana. If you’re interested in history or the history of African people, this is an obvious choice.”

Buckner works with students who want to study abroad from all academic areas of Southern Miss to make sure they can study abroad.

“[I advise students who are looking to study abroad] to look at where their academic interests and personal interests lie and choose a program that goes with that interest,” Buckner said.

In addition to journals, undergraduate and graduate students are expected to write research papers incorporating material from assigned readings, discussions, films, site visits, and other personal experiences.

“I want students to know that any student at Southern Miss can study abroad,” Buckner said.  “We’ll help them with financial aid and credits earned [from study abroad programs] apply to degree programs and GPA.”

The four-hour credit program is scheduled to take place during the second five-week session of summer 2010.