Baka Kalemba

Promotional graphic for "Summer ’25: Summer in Ghana" featuring colorful travel-themed illustrations with airplanes and floral shapes. In the center, the text reads “Summer ’25” in blue script, “Summer in Ghana” in black, and “Accra, Ghana” in green. On the right, a student in navy blue UConn medical scrubs smiles confidently while holding a stethoscope. A pink border frames her photoPromotional graphic for "Summer ’25: Summer in Ghana" featuring colorful travel-themed illustrations with airplanes and floral shapes. In the center, the text reads “Summer ’25” in blue script, “Summer in Ghana” in black, and “Accra, Ghana” in green. On the right, a student in navy blue UConn medical scrubs smiles confidently while holding a stethoscope. A pink border frames her photoPromotional graphic for "Summer ’25: Summer in Ghana" featuring colorful travel-themed illustrations with airplanes and floral shapes. In the center, the text reads “Summer ’25” in blue script, “Summer in Ghana” in black, and “Accra, Ghana” in green. On the right, a student in navy blue UConn medical scrubs smiles confidently while holding a stethoscope. A pink border frames her photoPromotional graphic for "Summer ’25: Summer in Ghana" featuring colorful travel-themed illustrations with airplanes and floral shapes. In the center, the text reads “Summer ’25” in blue script, “Summer in Ghana” in black, and “Accra, Ghana” in green. On the right, a student in navy blue UConn medical scrubs smiles confidently while holding a stethoscope. A pink border frames her photoPromotional graphic for "Summer ’25: Summer in Ghana" featuring colorful travel-themed illustrations with airplanes and floral shapes. In the center, the text reads “Summer ’25” in blue script, “Summer in Ghana” in black, and “Accra, Ghana” in green. On the right, a student in navy blue UConn medical scrubs smiles confidently while holding a stethoscope. A pink border frames her photoPromotional graphic for "Summer ’25: Summer in Ghana" featuring colorful travel-themed illustrations with airplanes and floral shapes. In the center, the text reads “Summer ’25” in blue script, “Summer in Ghana” in black, and “Accra, Ghana” in green. On the right, a student in navy blue UConn medical scrubs smiles confidently while holding a stethoscope. A pink border frames her photo

A wide view of Accra, Ghana at dusk, showing a mix of mid-rise buildings, shops, and residences. The sky is painted with soft hues of orange and blue as the sun sets, and city lights begin to flicker on. Rooftop solar panels and street-level signs are visible, showcasing the urban energy of the capital city.

Tell us a little bit about your experience. For starters, why did you choose the program that you did?

I chose the Summer in Ghana program because I wanted my first time in Africa to be a well rounded and memorable experience. I am in the first generation of my family to be born in the United States, so growing up I always heard stories of my parents’ life in Africa but I was never truly able to connect to their experience. After visiting Africa for the first time, I am able to connect to my roots in a more meaningful way.

A young woman smiles for a selfie indoors, wearing a floral red-and-white dress and a gold cross necklace. Her hair is styled in long blonde and brown braids. The well-lit room behind her has cream-colored walls, black tiled floors, and white doors. She appears confident and happy during her global experience abroad.

What did you gain from the experience?

This trip definitely expanded my worldview and broadened my perspective of the way others are living outside of the western world. It changed my view on the topics of community, education, success, passion, and more. I realized that there is more than one way to live than just seemingly narrow path that it feels like is sometimes set before us.

A young woman takes a selfie while walking on a narrow rope bridge suspended above a lush green forest. She wears a colorful graphic t-shirt, denim shorts, and boots, with her braided hair tied in a bun. The canopy walk is part of an adventurous experience in Ghana, highlighting outdoor exploration during her global journey.

What unique Experiential Global Learning opportunities did you encounter during your time?

One unique opportunity we encountered was being able to attend a cooking class and learn how to make traditional Ghanaian dishes. It was a really cool opportunity to have this immersive cultural experience and take a deep dive into Ghana’s culture. We also learned the process of making traditional Batik art, and we were then able to create our own!

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How has Experiential Global Learning helped you to understand and appreciate your program’s field of study?

Although Africana studies is not my major, this program has given me an appreciation for the study of the diversities that exist among the African diaspora. It was very enlightening to explore the differences between pre-colonial and post-colonial Ghanaian in contrast to traditional tribal culture.

What would you say is your most memorable moment from the trip?

My most memorable moment from the trip was exploring Jamestown, the first district of Old Accra. We were able to experience the lively community first hand and get a glimpse of their daily life. Jamestown was a very tight knit community where we saw many street business owners, children playing freely, and homes built in very close proximity to each other. We also saw that the effects of slavery and colonization still stand in the town district today. European military forts and underground slave dungeons still exist in the town, and so do the stories that have been orally passed down from generation to generation.

Tip(s) you’d give for future students participating in a program or those who are just starting to think about an experience

If you are thinking about studying abroad you should definitely do it. This is my second time studying abroad and it has been life-changing every time. You make memories that you will never forget and also get the opportunity to travel to places in the world for much cheaper than it would be on your own. If you’re overthinking about the costs, there is a lot of scholarship and aid available to cover a good amount of your trip so you won’t have to stress over financial burdens. If you’re worried about being alone, studying abroad is one of the best times to make friends and create close bonds with people. It seems daunting to try a new thing at first but studying abroad is a one of a kind experience that you won’t find anywhere else.