NYU Accra Spring 2014 Pre-departure Orientation NYU Accra
NYU Accra is one of NYU’s 14 academic centers 30-45 students attend for one semester or full academic year NYU Upperclassmen (soph –senior) from ALL schools + Visiting students from universities across the U.S. Courses are taught in NYU’s own academic facilities by locally hired faculty. Classroom learning is supplemented by field trips, excursions, internships and community service (most students do an internship or community service!). Option to enroll at the local university, University of Ghana, Legon Housing provided and mandatory A full-time staff provides high quality student support services
NYU Accra Staff
Marian Ansa-Otu Victor Yeboah – Akosua Anyidoho Christa Sanders Patricia Twum Student Life Community Director Associate Director Finance & Facilities Coordinator Service/Internship Manager Coordinator
Kingsley Lims Nyarko Adwoa Nyarko Asamoah Chris Amissah Special Programs Delali Kudu- – Finance Assistant Asst. Facilities Manager Coordinator, Nurse / Library Asst. TA Film Class Program Dates
January 19 Arrival in Accra January 20-24 Mandatory Orientation January 27 Classes Begin March 17-21 Spring Break May 12-16 Final Exams May 17 Student Departure
All students must arrive by arrival day Orientation is MANDATORY Housing is only available for dates of the program! January 19 – May 17, 2014 If you arrive earlier or depart later than program dates you must find your own accommodations. No exceptions!
Academics
Courses are designed to enable you to engage, learn, experience and personalize your time in Accra You must take 12-18 credits while abroad. No language requirement, but consider taking Twi! (Languages cannot be pass/fail) Ghana Legon: based on Oxbridge model, the country’s flagship public university offering hundreds of courses; about 30-40 minutes from Academic Center (transportation provided). Please note that class size at Legon is much bigger than you are used to – often several hundreds of students. Students are encouraged to be patient and flexible when taking courses at Legon. Students from past semesters report that performing arts classes – like drumming and African dance – are often the most enjoyable.
Internships & Community Service
Nearly 90% of NYU in Accra students participate in some form of community service or internship experience Great chance to discover the “real” life of the city and its inhabitants, make new contacts, and improve your local language skills
Each semester, NYU Accra takes part in a major volunteer event. Past projects include organizing an HIV/AIDS benefit concert for an audience of 20,000 and a cultural performance to raise funds for a special needs school Volunteer Opportunities and Internship Placements will be covered during Orientation in Accra Bring a resume! Tuition & Ebills
E-bills ONLY, sent to NYU email address Must be registered for at least 12 credits Spring 2014 bills generated in December You can authorize a parent or other individual to have access to your e-Bill Payment made directly to Bursar Housing Charge will be posted on e-Bill and must be paid in full prior to arrival Questions? visit NYU Bursar Web-site for details
Arrival at Kotoka International Airport
At the Airport
Follow all immigration procedures closely and carefully. Do not pack or bring any illegal items. Staff will meet you outside of customs to
direct students to shuttles to housing Transportation available from Accra Airport to residences CRAs will give room assignments and distribute keys on-site during arrival. It may be several hours before you are able to contact your family via phone or email. Tell them what to expect! Orientation and First Week in Ghana
First week Mandatory Orientation includes all topics pertinent to everyday life in Ghana like banking, obtaining a cell phone, and academic questions. Introductory Intensive Twi Class Workshops in Academic Affairs Workshops in Residence/Student Life & living in Accra Information about Community Service and Internship program Information on Security and Personal Safety Tours of Accra and Legon Welcome Reception for all students and staff! Housing at NYU Accra
NYU Housing is mandatory! Non-smoking facilities Housing assignments based on information submitted in an online form; will be sent to your NYU email account about 2 weeks before check-in. NYU Accra housing facility: Private bathrooms for each room and common spaces including kitchen and laundry room access. Basic kitchen utensils, linens, blankets, and pillows will be provided. Bring towels! Internet is available (don’t forget it will not be as fast / reliable as you are accustomed to in the United States). Guarded with 24 hour security and have safes in all rooms (make sure you use them!)
Housing: Church Crescent
Rooms Doubles or Triples within duplex units Houses 7 students Private bathroom Full kitchen with everything you need to cook and eat Amenities Duplexes face a common courtyard Living room with TV/DVD player Telephone for local calls Hot water Air conditioning Safes and closet doors that lock 24-hour security Free washers and dryers in each house What students say about Church: The houses are big! Large courtyard where everyone gathers. Very communal. Large flat screen TVs in each house. Balconies off of every room There are some issues with electricity and water shortages Photos of Church Crescent Housing: Solomon’s Lodge
Rooms Singles and doubles Communal kitchen with everything you need to cook and eat Private bathrooms Amenities Large Communal areas (Study Lounge, Kitchen, Dining) Living room with TV/DVD player Telephone for local calls Hot water Air conditioning Safes and closet doors that lock 24-hour security Free washers and dryers in each house What students say about Solomon’s: More traditional dorm-style. One large kitchen on the ground floor. Two very large flat screen TVs. Seemed to have fewer issues with electricity, water, A/C. A bit more private
NYU ACCRA:Solomon’s Lodge
Photos of Solomon’s Lodge
Student Life Activities The site arranges a variety of activities for all students, including a Welcome Reception during orientation.
Student life activities include Subsidized Excursions and day trips, including a Homestay weekend in a rural village. Cultural events such as Film Screenings and Musical Events Workshops on Cross-Cultural Issues and Personal Adjustment C.R.A. Programming – dinners, museum visits, day- trips, West African cooking lessons, professional soccer games, theater events, and more!
Cultural Immersion opportunities Take courses at the local universities Community Service Internships Through your CRAs Home stay weekend Ghanaians are friendly – strike up a conversation!
Iceberg Model Ghanaian culture
Once called the Gold Coast, Ghana was the first Sub- Saharan colony to gain its independence March 6, 1957. Stable, prosperous and democratic Greetings are very important Religion plays a significant role in the society Sense of time is different (i.e, slower) More conservative society (e.g., dress code, formality with elders) LGBTQ community not generally socially accepted Society is not individualistic but communal (extended family concept) The importance of weddings and funerals Left hand is not used (culturally offensive) Western concepts of beauty not necessarily valued
NYU Meal Plan Restaurants & Eating Out in Accra
For dinners during the week, there is a meal plan that is split between two restaurants: Sunshine Cafe (Tuesday and Thursday nights) International cuisine Sandwiches and large, delicious salads. Tante Marie (Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights) Traditional Ghanaian and West African food Safe and delicious way to sample Ghanaian cuisine There are many other options for lunch or other meals. Former students recommend: Red red – bean stew. Yum! Didipa: Traditional Ghanaian food 5-10 minute walk from Church Crescent and Academic Center. Portions are huge so good to split between two people. Frequented by locals. Melting Moments: 10 minute walk from academic center. Creature comforts! Air conditioned. Has copies of magazines you can browse. The closest thing to a “cafe.” Frequented by expats and upper-income Ghanaians. Good smoothies, sandwiches, pastries, mac & cheese, etc. Food stalls (everywhere): Egg sandwiches--a way of life in Ghana--and fresh cut pineapple are great cheap eats.
Language
English is the official language of Ghana There are about 46 different languages spoken in Ghana Twi is the most prevalent. Learn some useful phrases ahead!:
Akwaaba! (ahk-WAH-bah) Welcome! Mepa wo kyεw (meh-pah-CHOW) Please Ma da se [pa]! (me-DAH-se [pah]) Thank you [very much] εte sεn? (eh-te-SEN) How are you? εyε (eh-YEH) I’m good Na wo nso e? (na WO-nso-eh) And you? Yebehyia! (yeh-beh-SHYA) See you later! Obroni (oh-BREW-nee) white person/stranger Obibini (oh-bee-BEE-nee) African Ah-hey? (ah-HEY) How much is this? Te-so! (teh-SO) Reduce the price! Wodadame! (wo-dah-DAH-me) You are lying to me!
Transportation WALK!! When you get home, you will miss the scenery, so get it while you can! Just have water with you. Tro-tros • Cheapest public transportation. • Around Accra or to places nearby. • Can be confusing and can easily get lost.
NYU Accra does not recommend
Trotros as a means of transportation for
students, but if you have to use them, • Some taxi drivers tried to change the fare then it should never be at night or for once we were in the car. If they do not want long distance travel. to give you a good price, just move on. Taxis Buses • Cheaper, compared to New York • Sometimes unreliable; occasionally air- standards. Some rides were less than $3. conditioned! • Generally cheaper fares, but not for all • Inexpensive. places in Ghana or Accra. • Available for long distance travel. • Bargain for the price BEFORE you get in.
Money & Budgeting
Bring a Visa debit card! Mastercard and American Express are not accepted widely/ at all. We recommend you take money out of ATMs. There is one located right next to the academic center. Rates for Traveler’s Checks are not good, so we suggest students do not come with traveler’s checks. Estimated Costs: Textbooks : $150 (some readings are photocopied or available in NYU-Accra’s library; budget some money to make copies) Local travel : $150-200, maybe more depending on what you use) Groceries : $350 Weekend away : $110 ($20 for travel, $40 for food, $50 for lodging) Average Spring Break : $450* ($40 for travel, $160 for food, $180 for lodging, $70 for miscellaneous expenses like visas) *More expensive if travelling outside of Ghana and neighboring countries One night out : $35 ($15 for travel, $15 for drinks or dinner)
Misc : $300.
Health
All students are enrolled in HTH, an international health coverage plan Free of charge for students No advance out-of-pocket payment for students to see a doctor or counselor Credentialed, western trained, English-speaking health professionals posted on the HTH website and available to students REMEMBER to register with HTH when you receive the email from them. Students should consult with NYU site staff if they need help making a doctor’s appointment. We make your appointments for you DO NOT cancel your domestic health insurance while you are abroad!!!!!! On-site nurse Crisis Response available
Vaccinations
Vaccination and proper medication is your responsibility! Make an appointment with a travel doctor or your physician immediately to go over the required and suggested health precautions. Required: Yellow Fever (Ghanaian law) Typhoid (NYU) Meningitis (if planning to attend trip to Northern Ghana) Students must also take anti-malaria medication Suggested: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B Tetanus-Diphtheria Measles Polio Rabies
Consultations available at NYU Allergy, Immunology & Travel Medicine (212) 443-1188
Security
NYU’s center and dorms are monitored by security guards 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is ALWAYS an NYU staff member on duty. You will be given a phone number to call in emergencies during on-site Orientation. To call for a local emergency number (911) Public Safety- 001-212 998-2222 Christa Sanders’ Number - 0243-101214 Victor Yeboah, Staff Member – 0243-558376 Intercon Security Supervisor – 0548850661
Help us keep you safe. Follow all staff recommendations: Don’t invite strangers into the residence. Your guests should always be in your company. Always lock your doors Don’t ever hitchhike Don’t leave your street smarts in NYC!
Staying in touch Set-up Skype/Google Hangout account (& one for your parents!) Be prepared that wireless will be slower Wireless is fastest in the Academic center Purchase a local cell phone Pay as you go - Refill minutes can be purchased nearly everywhere and cheaply. You scratch off the code and send the refill as a text. During orientation, representatives from a wireless carrier will come to the center. 60 cedis (approx $30) will get you a phone, sim card, and few minutes. Or unlock your smart phone and purchase new sim card on site for a few cedis Create a communication plan Are you going to talk daily, weekly, or say see you next semester? Remember time differences! Ghana is on GMT – New York plus 5 hours
Travel
Take advantage of planned excursions by NYU staff. Costs are covered with the exception of some meals:
Cape Coast, Elmina & Kakum National Park
Kumasi - Ashanti Kingdom
Tamale - Northern Region Rural homestay, Volta Region Use the break to travel to farther destinations: Togo & Benin are next door; other students have Wli Falls gone to Tanzania or South Africa, even Europe! Other local attractions to visit include: Strangely enough, fares to Europe are often Ada – Very beautiful and interesting, many cheaper people on the program went with groups to stay Do not make weekend travel plans until you have on the beach overnight. [tro-tro, bus] arrived, confirmed your schedule, and verified the Kokrobite – A fun and really cheap beach stay make-up class schedules for your courses. You [tro-tro] cannot miss class to travel! Tema – Travel to see the ports. [tro-tro, bus] Spring Break: March 17-212 Takoradi - Scenic beaches rarely found by Don’t forget to fill out NYU Traveler before you tourists [tro-tro or bus] travel! More info available on site
Guests
Tourist Visas are required for entry, as well as Yellow Fever vaccination No overnight guests are allowed in the dorms except immediate family, that is parents and siblings can stay in the dorm provided roommate(s) agree and sign a form to that effect Contact [email protected] for hotel advice Spring break may be a good time for visits You cannot miss class because you have family or friends in town, so plan accordingly!
Packing tips Pack as light as you can! You are going to need space for all your souvenirs and gifts.
Suggested items Book bag for weekend trips and groceries Use as a carry on with extra clothes, medication and important documents in case checked luggage arrives late Adapters (to change the shape of the plug) Any medication you need for entire trip (and copies of the prescription written in the generic term) Toiletries you love – the brands are different abroad and some things can be expensive Leave it home Linens Kitchen utensils Electronics like electric razors, toothbrushes, hairdryers. They will blow the fuse!
Contact your airline before you pack to find out luggage restrictions.
Checklist
Confirm your spot in the program ASAP Read all Next Stop Posts Read and answer all questions from OGS (Office of Global Services) regarding Immigration requirements Apply for additional funding Register for courses Get your vaccinations Submit all required forms by December 1st Book your flight & submit flight details to NYU Traveler by December 1st Register with the Moses Center (if applicable) Get a Visa debit card!
Transition Tips
You might find yourself getting a bit anxious as you get closer to the date of your Remember: departure. It’s natural to be nervous before • Study away is a process, not an event. moving to new surroundings. • Trust your experience • Call on tools that have worked Some steps you can take to prepare can be • Stay curious found at • You are not alone! www.nyu.edu/global/culturaladjustment
View the “What is Culture” Webinar & NYU Accra-Specific Webinar
Plan how you will reflect on the experience before arrival, during, and after you return
Research the culture you will experience by logging into GlobeSmart.
NYU Accra: Overview
Know & plan for your medical needs – Mental, Physical, & Insurance
Plan for banking/financial needs – take exchange rates into account.
Make copies of everything!
Research and read about Ghana!
Be proactive, patient, and Enjoy Your Experience Abroad!
E-mail [email protected] with questions! Good luck and nante yiye!