SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

GLOBAL HEALTH (GHANA)

GEI MICROCERTIFICATE IN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

An 8-credit microcertificate program to develop skills, knowledge, and understanding that prepare you for leadership and engagement in our global society.

AT A GLANCE

  • Microcertificate in Global Engagement Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Global Health
  • Study Abroad Destination: Ghana
  • 2026 Dates: June 1-July 24 (8 weeks)
  • Credit: 8 U.S. credit hours (~ 16 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
  • Eligibility: Any field and level of study

Apply by clicking the button at the top >
Contact us for more information >

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Engage with global health challenges in Ghana
This intensive 8‑week, 8‑credit microcertificate balances academic rigor with immersive field engagement in Rwanda - widely regarded as a global leader in public health innovation. Through two integrated courses, students explore global health challenges - such as burden of disease, health systems, governance, infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and mental health - while applying insights in local settings.

Participants collaborate with Rwandan clinics, NGOs, research institutions, and community groups to tackle health challenges and build sustainable solutions. Weekly colloquia, mentorship, and a digital portfolio synthesis guide students to apply theory, develop leadership as global change agents, and make meaningful contributions at community scale.
Program Highlights
  • Comprehensive 8-week microcertificate featuring progressive field learning
  • Collaborative placements with leading Rwandan health organizations
  • Interdisciplinary coursework and packed field excursions
  • Professional mentorship, peer reflection, and digital portfolio capstone
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.

ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Global Health track of the Microcertificate in Global Engagement is an intensive, 8-credit program spanning eight weeks over a summer. Students undergo a transformative learning journey, engaging with critical global issues through an interdisciplinary approach. The program structure includes two main courses, both in Ghana, and a capstone project, delivered in a sequence that builds from theoretical understanding to practical, hands-on experience. This progression ensures that students not only learn about global issues but also apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
Learning Outcomes
By program's end, students will:
  • Demonstrate deep understanding of global and local health challenges - such as disease burden, systems, and governance
  • Apply interdisciplinary frameworks and practical skills to real-world health settings
  • Develop cultural competence and ethical awareness within Ghanaian health contexts
  • Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary and community-based partners
  • Present a polished digital portfolio illustrating their professional and academic progression
Further Details
Empty space, drag to resize

YOUR DESTINATION: GHANA

Ghana is a dynamic West African country known for its political stability, rich cultural heritage, and strong tradition of civic engagement. Shaped by regional leadership and global connections, the country offers a compelling context for experiential learning across disciplines, where tradition and innovation coexist. For GEI participants, Ghana provides an opportunity to engage thoughtfully with local communities and institutions, gaining insight into how global systems intersect with everyday life in a contemporary African setting.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

What distinguishes the Full Summer Global Health Program in Ghana is its intentional progression from learning about global health to practicing it within professional settings. During the first phase of the program, students build a shared academic foundation by examining global health challenges such as disease burden, health systems, mental health, maternal and child health, and migration - while situating these themes within Ghana’s social, cultural, and institutional context. Field visits and community-engaged learning activities deepen this understanding by connecting theory to lived realities.

The second phase of the program shifts from coursework to immersive practicum placements, where students work in small teams with local organizations addressing health-related priorities. These placements are structured, supervised, and aligned with students' academic background and skill level, allowing participants to contribute meaningfully while developing professional competencies. Students engage with organizational workflows, collaborate with local peers, and navigate workplace expectations - gaining insight into how global health work unfolds in practice.
Throughout the summer, guided reflection and weekly colloquiums provide continuity across both courses. These sessions create space for students to critically examine ethical considerations, cultural dynamics, teamwork, and their own professional development. Rather than treating reflection as an add-on, the program integrates it as a core learning tool that helps students synthesize experience, theory, and personal growth.

By the end of the program, students complete final presentations and comprehensive written reports that document their learning across both academic and applied components. This emphasis on articulation and analysis ensures that participants leave not only with extended field experience, but also with the ability to translate that experience into academic, professional, and career-relevant outcomes - making the full summer program an ideal pathway for students considering future work or study in global health and related fields.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.

HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 8 weeks in Ghana. For this time, GEI Ghana offers different housing options that students can choose from, pending availability. These include:
  • Homestays: Typically single rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
  • Serviced apartments: Single or shared double rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
  • University residence halls at our local partner universities: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities
  • Simple guesthouses: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities


Homestay host families typically provide breakfast and dinner. Students in serviced apartments, university residence halls, or guesthouses are usually responsible for all meals outside of core course meals.

You can find additional information in the following blog post: Accommodation – What to expect.

DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Program Dates

Application Due Date

Fees

Summer 2026 (8 weeks): June 1-July 24

April 1, 2026

Summer 2026: US $7,950 (8 weeks)

At GEI, we strongly believe in equal access to academic opportunities in study abroad. In order to help eliminate financial barriers, we offer a variety of merit scholarships, trailblazer scholarships, and opportunity scholarships and grants, ranging from $500 to full tuition awards. Each year, GEI is awarding several hundred thousand dollars in scholarships. You can find further information as well as additional resources for external funding opportunities in the following blog post: Scholarships & Grants.

GHANA

STAFF

All of our staff are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.
Henry Azanu, BA
Center Director
Michael Williams, PhD
Aya Centre

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Get started!
Contact us for more information >