Trent in Ghana 2019-2020
Major: International Development and Anthropology
I spent the 2019-2020 school year abroad with the Trent-In-Ghana program, and it is undoubtedly the highlight of my degree! The way the program is organized let us see many of the different sides of Ghana and I was able to learn about many languages, cultures, climates, and foods.
My placement was with Talensi-Area Women’s Development Project (TAWODEP) in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region which works to empower and expand the entrepreneurial capacities of low-income rural women through microfinance groups, skills training and more. During this placement, I did intensive field work with women in over a dozen of local communities with the help of the Director’s niece Cynthia. It was extremely immersive as Cynthia translated and drove our motorcycle, we ate local foods during the day, and participated in local culture through dancing, singing, and even attending funerals. I loved that I was able to stay with a host family and another TIG student during my placement because we were able to explore Bolga’s local culture together. The friends I made in Ghana are lifelong, and I had so many unforgettable experiences from surfing at Busua Beach to exploring Accra nightlife.
The TIG program brought my interest in travel, adventure, and hands-on learning all together in the best ways. The experience is a definite resume booster too because many other undergraduate students do not have experience working with NGOs, doing community-based research, or living abroad. Ghana is a vibrant, diverse country which is a dream travel and learning destination – I miss it so much and hope I have the chance to visit again someday.