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Sankofa: A Cultural Journey through Ghana

Sankofa: A Cultural Journey through Ghana

Support underrepresented students in a cultural journey through Ghana

The Sankofa study abroad program offers an immersive learning experience in Ghana for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Participants get a unique opportunity to enhance their understanding of other cultures, the world around them, and themselves. For most of our students, this is their first time to travel abroad—and for some, it’s their first time to travel at all. You can help make student aspirations of studying abroad a reality by donating to the program.

Support our students

The Impact of Immersive Learning Abroad

Studying abroad isn’t just traveling and seeing the world first-hand, research suggests that students who participate in an immersive learning experience during their undergraduate degree are more likely to complete their degree and often complete it faster than those who don’t.

The program really forced you to sit, think, and look deep within yourself.
Past participant

The impact is even more pronounced among students from historically underrepresented backgrounds and has been shown to positively affect student motivation in learning and achievement. And first-time travelers see significant gains in confidence, decision-making independence, and academic and career focus.

By the numbers

<25%of the study abroad population is non-white

31.2%African American students who studies abroad had a 31.2% higher graduation rate than those who did not

90%of study abroad participants graduated within 5 years compared to 58.6% of those who did not

Help students achieve more

Sankofa: A Cultural Journey through Ghana

The Ghana study abroad experience combines an 8-week course and a 2-week trip to Accra, Ghana. During the course, students get an interdisciplinary introduction to African continuities as well as an in deph look at Ghanaian culture, history, and political structure to develop a strong understanding of contemporary African societies.

I loved learning about the other part of my lineage and being able to share that with the group. We all found a personal connection to the trip.
Past participant

During the trip, students visit multiple key cities and universities, interact with local cultural leaders, and visit multiple historical sites that are at the heart of Ghana’s past and help to create understanding of its present. The entire trip is connected to the readings and discussions held in the 8-week course. Before, during, and after the experience in Ghana, students do critical reflection through writing, discussion, and asking questions.

Your Gift Can Change Lives

Experiences like this are inevitably expensive. While IUPUI is able to offer some resources and reduce student costs, it’s never enough. Many of our students do not even consider studying abroad because of financial concerns. By making a gift, big or small, you can help offset the cost for students and change their futures forever.

$5,000approximate total for a student to participate in the Ghana experience

$3,500average unmet financial need for students from underrepresented backgrounds

INFINITEThe impact this experience has on students

Help our students on this transformational journey.

Give now