Cultural Bridging

Participants will undertake lessons in

• Dagbani

• The history, heritage and culture of the North

• Traditional music, drumming and dances of the North

• Cooking dishes indigenous to the North

Local Industry

Participants will be introduced to the following local industries:

• shea butter 

• basket weaving, 

• pottery

• smock weaving 

• art with Ibrahim Mahama (the artist) at his Red Clay Studio

Service Learning

Participants will engage in two key Service Learning activities:

• Shekhina Clinic Feeding Program 

• Sanaahayili Basic School – support the development of literacy and numeracy skills among disadvantaged pupils; learning together to make solar lamps.

STEAM Project

Working in groups, participants will undertake a conservation and sustainability-based STEAM Project. The project will revolve around the flora and fauna of the North. 

Tourism 

Northern Ghana

From their base in Tamale, participants will undertake a road trip further North through places of historical, cultural and economic importance such as:

• Savelugu

• Bolgatanga

• Sirigu

• Navorongo 

• Ghana’s border with Burkina Fasso

Kumasi

A similar road trip for the return journey to Accra will take participants through:

• The Kintampo Waterfalls

• Kumasi, where participants will visit 

  • Bantama and Manhyia to further explore the cultural significance of the North to Ashanti

  • The Bonwire Museum

  • Lake Bosumtwi

  • The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)

An important part of this educational program takes place immediately after dinner, every day. All participants must meet and reflect on the day’s activities and get informed about the next day’s activities, even though an itinerary will have been issued before the start of the program. 

• Appreciation of Ghana’s cultural diversity

• Competent knowledge of Tamale and Northern Ghana: peoples, their histories, languages and cultures, traditions, entrepreneurship, ways of being and living

• Cross-cultural effectiveness skills

• Collaborative problem-solving skills including teamwork, research, analysis, critical thinking, and creative thinking

• How to negotiate difference with empathy, compassion and humility

• Personal Development - learning more about themselves as individuals and emerging leaders

• Improved health, fitness and wellbeing

•  Adventure and excitement

• Opportunity to create or consolidate some lasting friendships 

1. Clothing 

It’s the wet season, and the weather can be quite cool and chilly, especially at night.

• Bring some rain gear and warm clothing. 

• Also bring smart casual clothes and shoes for visiting schools, going sightseeing (and going to church for those interested). 

• Consider bringing T-shirts, jeans, sneakers, and baseball caps. 

• You will be walking a lot, so bringcomfortable walking shoes.

• Handy-wipes, bacteria hand wash, toiletries, bathing sponge and towels 

• Insect repellent and sunscreen lotion.  

• Bedsheets and pillowcases 

2. Health & Medications 

All your medications (enough for the period), especially EpiPens and inhalers. Where necessary, bring along all prescriptions, management and treatment plans and notify a IMMERSE staff member on arrival. 

3. Electronics 

Your phones and any digital electronics and chargers (where necessary) for photography and video recording. 

4. Pocket money 

You will need it for souvenirs, gifts, snacks etc. 200ghs – 500 ghs is recommended.

5. Charity donations

• Books in English suitable for primary schools – basic readers and novels, comics, workbooks 

• Clothing – clothes, shoes, school bags, etc. in good condition

• Sports and Games – card games, board games, puzzles, footballs, basketballs etc. 

• Toys – especially those that assist learning like Lego, dolls, toy cars/trucks, playsets (kitchen, hospital, fire service etc.)

6. Supervision

NuBuED IMMERSE and SIA will engage, as chaperones, a team of educators with extensive experience in working productively with teenagers and young adults.

Chaperones have a significant role to play to ensure that the objectives of the program are fully realized.  They are seen as professional partners in the context of the SIA, NuBuED IMMERSE and Select Journeys collaboration.  

Details of their responsibilities will be shared at the time of their engagement. This may include undergoing first-aid training. 

7. Insurance

Again, as a precautionary measure, it would be advisable for parents/guardians to invest in a travel and health insurance plan for their child/ward. This is not mandatory

This is an educational trip, and as a participant, you are an ambassador for your school, your family, and your culture. These considerations should be reflected in your conduct throughout the program. The overriding principle here is to show consideration and respect for others, and for your hosts, their communities, cultural practices and ways of life

By joining the Program, students and parents acknowledge their acceptance of this Code of Conduct, which includes, but is not limited, to the following:

1. Program attendance is compulsory.

2. Every student must actively participate in the program and follow the daily itinerary.

3. No participant should engage in activities that would be frowned upon or considered criminal by the host community.

4. Any possession or use of, or involvement with illicit drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol is strictly forbidden. 

5. Access to improper web sites and/or pornographic material is strictly forbidden.

6. Public displays of romantic affection should be avoided.

7. No student should injure/assault, threaten to injure/assault another or any other person.

8. An SIA or NuBuED IMMERSE staff member must approve all activities outside the scheduled ones.

9. No student (whether alone or with others) should travel within the local area unless accompanied by an SIA or NuBuED IMMERSE staff member.

10. Partying in the residences is strictly forbidden.

11. No student may visit the room of another student of the opposite gender

Failure to adhere to the above rules may result in a student being asked to leave the program or sent home at the earliest convenience, with costs incurred to parents’ account.