Brookdale International Center Faculty Led Short-Term Program Ghana: Akwaaba: Lending a Helping Hand May 22 June 7, 2016 Sunday, 22 May 2016 Departure from Newark International Airport Monday, 23 May Akwaaba Arrival Arrive in Accra, Ghana. Transfer from airport to your hotel. Check into Coconut Grove Regency and relax. Welcome drink and orientation. Coconut Grove Regency Hotel (5 nights) The Hotel is located in close proximity to the business district of Accra. Regency has 10 Suites and 26 Standard rooms all tastefully decorated with air conditioning, multi-channel satellite TV, hot and cold water points, Wi - Fi, and mini bar. Our conference complex has 8 halls with varying seating capacity of between 5 to 320 guests. Business centre and forex bureaus are available for guests use. A child friendly Swimming Pool is set in an open, airy and stimulating environment capable of seating 500 persons for any outdoor event such as wedding receptions, birthday and anniversary celebrations. Tuesday, 24 May Accra City Tour Depart after breakfast for a sightseeing city tour of Accra. You will drive through the administrative and economic districts of Accra, the capital of Ghana. This 137-year-old city, has a blend of colonial and modern architecture that summarize her history. You will visit the W. E. B. Dubois Center for Pan African Culture, Independence/ Black Star Square and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. Visit La Teshie, a suburb of Accra to see shop of a coffin maker. End your tour at the Arts Centre where you will have an opportunity to use your bargaining skills to shop from an open air market for artifacts from Ghana and West Africa.
Wednesday, 25 May Accra- University of Ghana After breakfast depart for a memorable visit to the University of Ghana, Legon-- Ghana's premier centre of higher education. Its distinctive buildings of Japanese architectural design are set amongst elegant tree-lined gardens. Here you will tour the School of Performing Arts to have firsthand experience on how African culture is organized and learnt in the Ghana's premier university. Also interact with the students and lecturers at the African Studies Department and learn about their experiences. Visit the Balme Library and the University of Ghana Book Shop. You will be engrossed by the numerous literatures on Africa, ranging from Archaeology, History, Sociology, Anthropology, ethnology, etc. written by African and non-africans alike. (Transport from hotel to work site in North Odokor area from the 26 th - 27 th May 2016.) Saturday, 28 May Elmina and Cape Coast Castle After breakfast, set off for Cape Coast. Visit the Elmina Castle built by the Portuguese in 1482 and is also known as St. George's Castle. This castle was the first European structure built in Sub - Saharan Africa. The colourful harbour nestled below the Elmina Castle, full of pirogues preparing to go to sea offers one of West Africa s greatest photo opportunities. Then embark on a tour of the infamous Forts, Castles and Slave Dungeons of Ghana at the Cape Coast Castle. History will unfold the story of the slave trade which the impact is still felt beyond the shores of Africa today. Cape Coast Castle was built by the Swedes in 1653 and was later taken over by the British. This castle also houses the West African Historical Museum established by the Smithsonian Institute in collaboration with the Ghanaian Government in 1994.
Coconut Grove Beach Resort Elmina (2 nights) 3 star Coconut Grove Beach Resort has become an important land mark in Elmina. The facility includes 4 large family suites comprising of 2 bedrooms each, a living room and a kitchenette; 3 Executive Suites comprising 1 bedroom, a living room and kitchenette, 7 family units comprising two interconnecting bedrooms, 59 Standard rooms. All rooms are air-conditioned, with hot and cold water, mini bar, satellite multi-channel TV reception, and Wi - Fi connection. The popular Ocean View Restaurant has an enviable reputation for the best sea food served fresh in the region. Coconut Grove Beach Resort is the only hotel in Elmina that has access to a clean and safe beach. Sunday, 29 May Kakum National Park After breakfast, drive through the historic Denkyira Kingdom to Kakum National Park, one of West Africa s surviving tropical rain forests. Extending over 360sq km, Kakum is the home to over 40 large mammals and 400 bird species as well as many species of butterflies, flora and fauna. The most popular attraction is the Canopy walkway which is made up of seven bridges extending 330m, hanging 100 feet above the forest floor. Choose between a 2 km nature walk through this forest to discover the wide variety of exotic floral species and the medicinal values they offer or take a walk on the canopy walkway. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at the beach after a visit to the Posuban Military Shrine where the Asafo companies, (Fanti traditional soldiers), prepare spiritually for war. These shrines are wonderful examples of how art is used in the daily lives of Ghanaians. (Dinner at Local Beach Restaurant) Monday, 30 May Cape Coast- Kumasi City Tour After breakfast, drive through the forest zone to Kumasi, the seat of the Ashanti Empire to explore the legends of the famous Ashanti people, whose legacies are still evident today. Continue on to Kumasi where you will visit Manhyia Palace Museum, to obtain firsthand information on the legacies of the Ashant kingdom. A regal history that dates back to 1700 is told with relics and artifacts. Enjoy a drive through the city with monuments dedicated to the memory of the great Ashanti people. Your city tour on this day will also include a visit to the famous Kejetia market.
End the day s tour at the National Cultural Center which features the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum and various studios of the brass makers, potters and batik makers. Noda Hotel (5 nights) Noda Hotel is situated at Fumesua-Kumasi - Ghana, West Africa. It has a serene and secluded environment which is ideal for leisure and business travelers. This unique atmosphere around Noda makes it a cut above the other hotels in Kumasi. Tuesday, 31 May Kumasi Clinic Project After breakfast, spend the day attending to the Kumasi Clinic project. Wednesday, 1 June Kumasi Clinic Project After breakfast, spend the day attending to the Kumasi Clinic project. Thursday, 2 June Kumasi Apatrapa Village Primary School After breakfast, visit the Apatrapa Village Primary School. The rolling hills of Apatrapa is located on a 2-kilometer branch of the main Sunyani-Kumasi Road, 5 kilometers from Kumasi, the Provincial capital of the Ashanti Region. Friday, 3 June Ashanti Craft Village After breakfast, spend the day devoted to visiting the three famous Ashanti craft villages. After breakfast depart for Ahwiaa, the wood carvers village, Ntonso, the home of Adinkra cloth, and Bonwire, the Kente weaving village. You will have an opportunity to see how African crafts are made and to buy directly from the artisans who make them.
Saturday, 4 June Kumasi- Accra After breakfast, check out and set off for Accra. Overnight at Coconut Grove Regency Hotel (2 nights) Sunday, 5 June Orphanage Visit African Street Kids- Orphanage Foundation After breakfast spend the day with African Street Kids Orphanage Foundation (ASK-OF). Ask- Of is a charitable home in Accra whose aim is to provide parental care, health care, education, love and support to children who have lost or been abandoned by their parents. African Street Kids - Orphanage Foundation (ASK-OF) is a nongovernmental organization committed to providing the needs of orphans and street children victimized by HIV/AIDS or physically challenge in the society, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, class, religion, colour, cultural difference or social background, it helps orphans to fit into the society morally, spiritually and mentally. Ask- Of are mixing with street kids in Accra on a daily basis to enable them to find the kids in greatest need of support. Monday, 6 June Day at Leisure Spend the day at leisure, doing last minute shopping or sightseeing. Farewell/Departure Transfer to airport for check-in and final departure back home. ARRIVE home on Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Program Cost: $3,525 Program cost goes up to $3,675 after December 1 Costs include: Roundtrip airfare from Newark International Airport to Accra Accommodations in hotels Breakfast daily and one dinner All entry fees as per itinerary Bus transportation in Ghana Full-time tour director Comprehensive travel insurance Pre-departure orientation session at Brookdale Not included: Transportation to airport Additional meals, as necessary Tips for guide/driver Personal expenses Yellow fever vaccination Payment Deadlines to International Education Center 1) December 1 (early bird deadline) $500 Deposit due** 2) December 1 Copy of passport due 3) March 1 Balance due in full 4) TBA May Orientation & Pre-departure classes Contact the International Education Center to set up a payment plan *Depending upon gender mix of the group some rooms may be triple occupancy. **NON-REFUNDABLE, COMMITMENT TO PAY FULL REMAINING BALANCE. Payment can be made by check made payable to Brookdale Community College or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express) Courses & Credits Participants can register for and earn three (3) course credits in PSYC-106 Psychology II for an additional fee for tuition. Faculty Members & Group Leaders Any questions regarding itinerary or travel, contact: Terry Konn at tkonn@brookdalecc.edu or Raj Wesley at rwesley@brookdalecc.edu Information Sessions Tues., January 12, 12 noon 1:00 p.m., MAN 106 Thurs., January 28, 12 noon 1:00 p.m., MAN 106 Tues., Feb. 9, 12 noon 1:00 p.m., MAN 106 Wed., Feb. 10, 12 noon 1:00 p.m., MAN 106