Projects Abroad has been placing volunteers abroad since 1992. As a volunteer in Ghana you will have the opportunity to work in a number of different capacities, including: Teaching, Care, Building, Medicine & Healthcare, Journalism,...
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Projects Abroad offers Teaching, Care, and Medical projects in Tanzania, based in the coastal city of Dar es Salaam and around the town of Arusha in the north of Tanzania. Dar es Salaam is located on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast, with...
3
This listing has
an alumni interview.
With an extensive coastline, a vast area of Amazon rainforest and the Andes, Peru gives you the opportunity to visit South America and see much of its character in one country: wildlife, beaches, historical sites and mountains.
Projects...
Nepal is a beautiful country with many fantastic opportunities to volunteer and intern within its borders. Nepal is a tiny, stunning land of snow-capped mountains, majestic old temples and the colorful city of Kathmandu. The home of Mount...
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an alumni interview.
Senegal is a wonderful place to spend time volunteering abroad with Projects Abroad. Our volunteers work with disadvantaged children in kindergartens, care centers, and organizations for street children. Despite Senegal being one of the...
95
This program has been
rated awesomely fun!
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an alumni interview.
Romania, in Eastern Europe, is a unique and wonderful place to complete a volunteer project or internship. The outstanding scenery, biodiversity and paradoxes of a country that is in the process of economic and cultural change will mould...
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This program has been
rated highly supportive!
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This listing has
an alumni interview.
Become a valued volunteer in South Africa with Projects Abroad! Every year we send dozens of volunteers to South Africa to take part in projects that include: Teaching, Health care, Conservation, Sports, Journalism, Business, Law, and...
1
This listing has
an alumni interview.
Projects Abroad has been sending volunteers overseas since 1992. Our volunteer placements in Argentina involve Teaching, Care, Medicine, Dentistry, Occupational Therapy, Journalism, and Spanish language. As a volunteer in Argentina you...
97
This program has been
rated awesomely fun!
98
This program has been
rated highly supportive!
2
This listing has
an alumni interview.
Doing a placement in Ghana, for however long, is certainly an eye-opening experience. If you go with an open mind, the culture difference will be fascinating but not daunting.
Ghanaian people are known for being friendly and this is certainly true. They are all keen to help you out and as long as you are friendly but firm (when they all want to encourage you to get on their tro-tro) then things will be fine.
A few words of advice:
1. If you are based in a major city, be prepared to hear lots of car horns. Drivers love to use their horns, it seems to be a sign of their dominance on the road! And taxi drivers seem to think it is a sure fire way of gaining a passenger even if that person has no interest of hailing a taxi!
2. Ghana Time! If someone offers to meet at 2pm, it will mean 3pm! Everyone is so laid back that the idea of starting on time or even early is unheard of!
3. Linked into number 2 is a word of warning when going to a restaurant in Ghana. Do not arrive at a restaurant dying of hunger in the hope of eating quickly. Service is notoriously slow and even so called fast food restaurants can be slow to produce the food. Think of it as another aspect of the Ghana laid back culture!
4. Be careful of gutters! They are mostly not covered so be careful of your footing (I speak from experience!)
5. Although not overly spicy, the food can sometimes take some adjusting for some volunteers. Stomach upsets in the first few weeks are common, don't worry!
6. People often advice to wear long sleeved tops and trousers in the evenings to avoid mosquitos. If you are in more remote areas this is certainly true. But if you are in major cities, you can wear short sleeved tops. As long as you are wearing insect repellent!!!
In terms of Projects Abroad, I can not praise them enough. Some people say it is quite expensive, but they are friendly, help you pre-departure and constantly whilst you are there. From meeting you at the airport, to the inductions (including helping you get a Ghana SIM card and changing money), to the weekly quiz nights, to the regular feed backs with the placements and accommodation, it is reassuring to know that they are there if you need them. But they also give you the space to be independent and have a great time.
I would go back there tomorrow if I could! (I even miss the drinking water sachets, heaven forbid!)