Summer Travel Program
West Africa Today: History, Culture and Society
About the Program
Designed to open new horizons on one of Africa’s most exciting regions, this program will incorporate academic course work, guest lectures, service learning projects, summer travel and participation in an international conference into a unique learning experience.This once in a lifetime opportunity will explore the history of the great empires in Ghana and Benin. Guest lecturers from Ghanian and Beninois universities will discuss the complexities of the culture. Participants will engage in service-learning projects on English literacy and Early Childhood Education, as well as study and learn about the rich culture, history, spiritual traditions and complex society of these two West African countries. Students will travel through three countries in the West African region, as well as participate in an international conference on "Multi-Culturalism, Democracy and Development in West Africa." 
Participants will spend fifteen days studying and traveling in the region. The group will arrive first in Ghana. Here they will explore the environmental and cultural ecology of this great ancient civilization. Not only will participants meet with American Embassy and local officials, they will also visit memorable sights such as: Black Star Square, the Kwame Nkrumah Museum in the capital city of Accra, the University of Ghana/Legon, the Mampong Traditional Plant Medicine Research Center, the W.E.B. DuBois Memorial Center, the Kakum National Rainforest, and Cape Coast and Elmina Castles (monuments of the African holocaust).
The group will then travel by road through the Republic of Togo to the economic capital of the Republic of Benin, Cotonou. This is the country often referred to as the "cradle of African spirituality." The spiritual systems of Ifa and Vodoun form the basis of the religious beliefs for millions of Africana people(s) throughout the African Diaspora. Participants will meet with scholars, artists, the U.S. Ambassador and other local officials. They will have the opportunity to observe and discuss issues concerning history, political and economic development, music and dance, art, storytelling, Vodoun, traditional healing and divination. While in Benin the group will travel to Porto Novo, the capital, the Accron Vodoun Temple, Sakete and Abomey, the ancient capital of Dahomey. They will participate in a workshop on Yoruba naming ceremonies, visit with local teachers and school administrators, and enjoy spectacular cultural performances by "Drummers of Orisha" and other local spiritual groups.
Other features of the Benin experience will include a trip to Ouidah, called "The Museum City," and an ancient port from which hundreds of thousands of enslaved Africans were shipped to the Americas; Allada (home of Toussaint l’Ouverture); and Ganvie, a village built on stilts on a lake - called the "Venice of Africa" - where the group will visit "fish farmers" and shop at the floating markets.
The study/travel experience will culminate with the delegation participating in a unique international conference on "Multi-Culturalism, Democracy and Development in West Africa". Students will have the opportunity to present their ideas at this international forum. Formal reports, essays and documentation will be submitted upon the group’s return.