Description

Experience life in an African village! This summer, join ThisWorldMusic and UMASS Amherst as we journey to the Dagbe Cultural Institute & Arts Centre in the scenic coastal village of Kopeyia, Ghana, where traditions passed down for centuries are kept alive in their original form.

In this 3-week intensive cultural immersion course, students are introduced to a wide range of topics related to African culture, philosophy, and daily life. Whether your interests are in drumming, dancing, singing or arts & crafts, the Dagbe Institute's rigorous instruction and authentic natural surroundings make for an experience unlike any other.

Led by UMASS Adjunct Professor and ThisWorldMusic Founder/Director Jeremy Cohen, the group lives for 2 weeks in the Dagbe Institute's clean, comfortable dormitory, receiving hands-on instruction from indigenous artists in drumming, dancing, singing and a variety of arts & crafts. While there, the group participates in local festivals, makes excursions to beaches and traditional open markets, and generally observes daily life in a rural African village.

The third week, we travel to Ghana's most beautiful and fascinating locations: Cape Coast Castle, The National Theatre, Kakum National Park Rainforest Preserve, The National Arts Centre and more. In the capital city of Accra we visit the world renowned live music venues, sample local cuisine, tour the workshop of a master drum maker, and participate in a private performance and masterclass with the internationally acclaimed Ghana National Dance Ensemble.

Highlights

- 2 weeks of drumming, dancing, singing and arts & crafts in the scenic coastal village of Kopeyia
- 1 week of travel, including a visit to Cape Coast Castle, followed by 2 nights at a beach resort
- excursion to Kakum National Rainforest Preserve, including a "canopy walk" on foot bridges strung between the treetops
- private performance and master class with the internationally acclaimed Ghana National Dance Ensemble
- participation in and observation of traditional festivals and celebrations
- exclusive tour of a master drum maker's workshop
- lodging at the Afia Beach Hotel in the capital city of Accra
- souvenir shopping at the National Arts Centre in Accra, one of the largest arts & crafts markets in West Africa
- sampling of local cuisine and Accra's world renowned live music clubs

Travel Types

• Native Culture Studies

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education

High School

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

USD 2,950

Program Fees Include:

- 6 UMASS credits (undergraduate or graduate)
- lodging for all 3 weeks
- all meals and bottled water for 2 weeks
- 45 hours of studio instruction
- complimentary use of international mobile phone
- all major in-country transport
- cultural events

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

American and Canadian Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Other

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 15

Application Process Involves

• Disciplinary Clearance Form
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone/Video Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 weeks

University of Massachusetts Amherst's Mission Statement

The University's mission is to provide an affordable and accessible education of high quality and to conduct programs of research and public service that advance knowledge and improve the lives of the people of the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world.

Year Founded

1863