Authentic, interactive and immersive: Students gain new perspectives in Ghana

“The best way to learn about a culture is to experience it and be around the people,” says Bubuney Havi (‘26), a Public Administration major. Havi and her family moved from Ghana to the U.S. when she was very young, but she returned through the JMU Ghana Summer Program and saw her home country through a different lens. 

For both Havi and Landon Shackelford (‘27), a Media Arts and Design major, the experience in Ghana was authentic, interactive, and immersive. Both returned to Harrisonburg with a new perspective that has helped them thrive. To Shackelford, the program was “not a one-size-fits-all ... there were economists, there were health majors, there were journalists, there were undecided [majors], and we all got very different things out of it that we all needed.”  

Shackelford admitted that before going to Ghana, he “was expecting an entry-level study abroad just from my own stereotypes about study abroad ... like you're not going to have any freedom, you're not going to see real communities, you're not going to be introduced to anything other than really sanitized versions of Ghana.” But with the intentional leadership and programming by Dr. David Owusu-Ansah and Dr. Leonard Richards, Shackelford felt the program let him truly experience Ghanaian culture.  

For Havi, the program was distinct in that “most people want to study abroad but want to go to Europe. Getting students to experience Ghana beats all the stereotypes they hear about Africa.” Havi participated in the optional internship with the John A. Kufuor Foundation, a local nonprofit. While she was prepared for typical office tasks, most of her time was spent outside the office. “We engaged with community partners and really experienced the everyday life of running and working in an NGO.”  

The magic of studying abroad happens in small, impromptu moments. For Shackelford, it was a lunch conversation with professors about the role of journalism in Africa and how western perspectives impact international media coverage. For Havi, it came from daily interactions with local community members in Accra. She's still in touch with several fellow Kufuor scholars.  

Upon returning to JMU, students saw the experience reflected in how they approach their classes and interact with their peers. “It's given me a good ear for listening to conversations,” says Shackelford, “and realizing where we're starting to get into a western-centric mindset.”  

Students gain more than just academic insight when they take their studies abroad. “Professionally, I gained a deeper understanding of global development and community engagement,” Havi says, “which strengthened my interest in working in international and public service.” In addition to solidifying her post-graduate plans, acquiring skills in adaptability, open-mindedness and curiosity have helped prepare Havi for the future.  

“The passion everyone has for the program shows how much they care and how much they want people to step out there and learn something new while experiencing the beauty of the continent,” Havi remarked. With the JMU Ghana Summer program celebrating 30 years this summer, Havi and Shackelford have joined an ongoing legacy of learning, service and growth.

Photo credit: Landon Shackelford ('27)