Ghana
Details
Location:
Accra, Ghana (Capital City); Atiwa district
Clinical Experiences:
Rural and urban settings. Hospital assessments, health education presentations, door-to-door immunizations, prenatal, nutritional assessments, food and water supply studies.
Culture Experiences:
Cape Coast slave castle and museum, Kakum aerial jungle canopy walk, Koforidua bead market, Boti Falls and hike, haggling at “the pit” (an open market), cloth dying and dressmaking shops, and the Accra temple.
Other Experiences:
Work/environmental health issues evaluations, traditional cultural health practices investigations
About the Program
In the capital city of Accra, several hospitals were accessed. Students also had the opportunity to travel to the Adenta and Tema regions to present health education to adult learners. The rural experience occurred in the Atiwa District. Each student had the privilege of going to a “health outpost” at least once on this rotation. These settings are fondly referred to as the “bush experiences.” Multiple alternative learning experiences also occur in this area, including nutritional assessment of children while engaging in soccer games, investigation of the local water supply and the effect of gold/diamond mining practices on clean water supplies. Students have helped with the opening of a new maternity unit that provides greater privacy and comfort to new and expectant mothers. Although this experience is not for the faint-of-heart and lots of hard work occurs, activities to enhance cultural understanding and learn of the history and setting w ere also included. These included a history lesson at the Cape Coast slave castle and museum, an aerial jungle canopy walk which includes a lesson on medicinal herbs found in the area, a visit to the Koforidua bead market, a visit to Boti Falls that included a hike and exposure to aboriginal spiritual beliefs, and the opportunity to learn how to haggle at “the pit,” an open market, and visits to cloth dying and dressmaking/tailor shops. A choice culminating experience is attending the Accra Temple.
Reflection
"As I reflect on my experience in Ghana, I am filled with gratitude for all I learned and how I have grown. I understand the Healer’s art on a deeper level and want to incorporate it into my future nursing career. It was amazing to learn about and experience the Ghanaian culture and all its differences and strengths. People are unique and remarkable all around the world, and the Ghanaians are no exception. My eyes were opened to other ways of life as I focused on the strengths of how they live instead of judging them or comparing our culture to theirs. It reinforced the fact that human diversity is rich and can benefit us if we look at it with the right perspective. My experience also taught me how to better implement the Healer’s art as a nurse while caring for my patients. The nurses in Ghana were excellent examples of showing compassion and empathy for their patients. They put them first and foremost, and made sure they were taken care of to the best of their abilities. One nurse told me that when she arrives at work, she leaves her life and worries behind to focus on others’ lives. It was a great example to me of selflessness, dedication, and love."
