Virginia State University - Study Abroad May 2026

Airport Arrival & Transfer

Your journey begins the moment you land at the Kotoka International Airport. When you touch down in Accra our Ghana based team will greet you with VIP concierge services. Providing seamless transportation to the hotel to get freshened up and start your adventures

Aburi Botanical Gardens + Lunch

Combine your garden exploration with a traditional Ghanaian meal at a local restaurant featuring fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Savor authentic flavors while taking in scenic mountain views in this perfect half-day retreat from Accra's energy.

Welcome Dinner

Enjoy your first evening with a traditional welcome celebration featuring authentic Ghanaian cuisine, refreshing drinks.

Schools Tour

Visit three local schools in the Akropong area—School of the Blind, Mt. Sania School, and Anglican School—for a meaningful morning of cultural exchange and community service. This experience offers students the opportunity to engage directly with Ghanaian educators and young learners while making a tangible impact on local education. Tour each school facility and observe classroom environments, teaching methods, and student life in Ghana's educational system. Engage with students and teachers, sharing stories and building cross-cultural connections that transcend borders.

Lunch and activity at Safari Valley

Glide peacefully along Ghana's waterways taking in coastal scenery, fishing villages, and natural beauty from a unique vantage point. Whether sunset cruise or daytime exploration, experience Ghana's relationship with the ocean that shaped its history.

Mount Mary College

Mango Varieties & Selection Discover the specific mango varieties cultivated at Mount Mary College and the careful selection process behind choosing them. Learn about the characteristics that make certain varieties ideal for Ghana's climate and soil conditions, including flavor profiles, growing seasons, and market demand.

Ghanaian Cooking Class

Master authentic Ghanaian cuisine by cooking traditional dishes alongside local chefs using fresh market ingredients and time-honored techniques. Take home recipes, skills, and the confidence to recreate the flavors of Ghana in your own kitchen.

Agriculture Class

Cultural Agricultural Practices Learn traditional Ghanaian farming methods passed down through generations, understanding how indigenous knowledge combines with modern agricultural science to create sustainable farming systems.

Community Farming

Environmental Stewardship Gain appreciation for sustainable agriculture's role in food security, economic development, and environmental conservation. Explore how farming practices impact local ecosystems and community wellbeing. This experiential learning opportunity connects academic concepts with real-world application, offering students a deeper understanding of agriculture's vital role in Ghana's economy and culture while developing practical skills and cultural competence.

Naming Ceremony

Receive your Akan day and family name in a traditional ceremony connecting you to your ancestral identity. This powerful ritual formally welcomes you into the cultural family and acknowledges your place in the community.

Shai Hills Nature Reserve

Explore dramatic savanna landscapes featuring ancient caves, striking rock formations, and diverse wildlife including baboons and antelopes. This protected reserve offers scenic hiking trails and glimpses into traditional Shai culture within easy reach of Accra.

Dinner on the Boat at Afrikiko Riverfront Resort

Glide peacefully along Ghana's waterways taking in coastal scenery, fishing villages, and natural beauty from a unique vantage point. Whether sunset cruise or daytime exploration, experience Ghana's relationship with the ocean that shaped its history.

Boat Ride to Akwamu with History and Tradition of Aduana Clan

Travel by boat to Akwamu, where community elders and cultural custodians will share the rich history and enduring traditions of the Aduana Clan. Learn about Akwamu's powerful 17th and 18th-century empire, their sophisticated governance systems, and their lasting influence on Akan culture and tradition. Discover the clan's unique customs, symbols, and taboos that have been preserved across generations. Hear stories of leadership, migration, and resilience that shaped the Aduana people's identity. Engage directly with tradition-bearers who maintain these ancestral practices in contemporary Ghana.

Sports Activity: Volleyball

Take a break from cultural immersion and enjoy some friendly competition on the courts at Afrikiko Riverfront Resort. This casual volleyball match pits VSU students and faculty against the Nkabom Culture team in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Whether you're an experienced player or just here to cheer from the sidelines, this is your chance to unwind, build camaraderie, and enjoy the beautiful resort setting. Mix competition with laughter as you connect with your travel companions and local hosts in a playful, low-pressure environment. No experience necessary—just bring your energy and team spirit!

Anansi Story by the Bonfire at Afrikiko Resort

Escape to the cool mountain air of Akropong for a magical evening of storytelling around a traditional bonfire. Surrounded by the lush hillside and the sounds of nature, listen to ancestral wisdom, Akan folklore, and cultural histories shared by community elders.

Cape Coast Heritage Tour

Travel to Cape Coast for an essential pilgrimage to Elmina Castle, where the weight of history meets the beauty of Ghana's coastline. Walk the same grounds our ancestors walked, participate in the secret Last Bath ceremony of remembrance and healing.

Guided Tour by the Beach

Take a break from cultural immersion and enjoy nature with a guided tour by the beach.

Batik Workshop

Experience the vibrant art of African batik during this hands-on workshop led by a Global Mamas artisan. Working side by side a skilled batiker, you’ll learn how she uses wax and dye to bring intricate, colorful patterns to life through batik – a craft deeply rooted in Ghanaian tradition.

Optional Guided Tour Guide- Night Life

Experience the pulse of modern Ghana on this optional evening adventure through Accra's vibrant nightlife scene. For those looking to explore beyond the historical and cultural programming, this guided tour offers a safe, curated introduction to the city's electrifying after-dark energy. Discover why Accra has become one of West Africa's hottest nightlife destinations. Feel the infectious rhythm of Afrobeats—the genre that's taken the world by storm—in its birthplace. Your experienced guide will navigate you through popular spots where locals gather to dance, socialize, and celebrate Ghanaian urban culture.

Shea Butter Museum + Workshop

Learn the traditional art of shea butter production from skilled local women artisans who have passed down this knowledge for generations. Get hands-on experience processing shea nuts into luxurious butter while understanding its cultural significance and the economic empowerment it provides to women across West Africa.

Accra City and Food Tour

Discover Accra where history and flavor intersect, on this full day cultural and culinary journey through Ghana's dynamic capital. Sample authentic Ghanaian cuisine at every turn, while exploring monuments, historic neighborhoods, and the Atlantic coastline that tells Ghana's powerful story of resilience and pride.

Optional Guided Tour Guide- Night Life

Experience the pulse of modern Ghana on this optional evening adventure through Accra's vibrant nightlife scene. For those looking to explore beyond the historical and cultural programming, this guided tour offers a safe, curated introduction to the city's electrifying after-dark energy. Discover why Accra has become one of West Africa's hottest nightlife destinations. Feel the infectious rhythm of Afrobeats—the genre that's taken the world by storm—in its birthplace. Your experienced guide will navigate you through popular spots where locals gather to dance, socialize, and celebrate Ghanaian urban culture.

The W.E.B. Du Bois Centre is a library to commemorate the late W.E.B DuBois. The centre consists of the museum which contains memorabilia and his personal library, the Open Air Theatre where intellectual seminars, lectures and workshops are held along with cultural events. In addition is the ‘Marcus Garvey’ guest house.

Visit to University of Ghana

Visit the prestigious University of Ghana in Legon, West Africa's premier institution of higher learning, for an enriching campus tour with special focus on their renowned Agricultural Department. This academic exchange offers VSU students a unique opportunity to connect with Ghanaian peers and explore cutting-edge agricultural research and education in an African context.

Depart for Airport

Receive VIP airport transportation for your journey home, carrying memories, connections, and a deeper sense of belonging. Safe travels until we meet again in Ghana.