The First Ghana Field School Lesson Learned and Unlearned

Research and Teaching Philosophy 1. Praxis 2. Action Research 3. The Global Sociological Imagination These aspects results in the lengthy process of creating the Global Community Service course

Ghana Field School - Collaborative Endeavor Groups involved: The Sociology Department The Office of International Students and Scholars The Faculty of Social Science The School of Nursing

Three Phases - The Preparatory and Orientation 1) Theoretical studies in Global Service Learning/Global Praxis: - Theoretical explorations of the broad concept of Global Citizenship -Theories of service learning 2) Cultural Literacy and Sensitization -Introduced to several aspects of Ghanaian and West Africa culture - Learn about culture norms and values of the host country

Three Phases - The Preparatory and Orientation 2) Cultural Literacy and Sensitization -The norms and values will be taught by local Ghanaian leaders and experts in BC 3) Travel to Ghana -After a four week orientation course at Kwantlen students will then travel to Ghana for three weeks -They will travel around end of June to second week of July

Witness and Application Colloquium Students will present their findings and share their experiences, lessons learned and unlearned Fast Forward - June weeks of pre-departure orientation classes -June 29: 15 students and 2 faculty members spend 23 days in Ghana -October Students and faculty recreate and share their exciting 3 weeks of being enriched and the challenges they faced

Lessons Learned (Unlearned) -Students form blog postings, debriefing sessions in Ghana and at KPU Negative Side -Too intense; Not enough rest time -Too Short -Not enough information about their placements -Unexpected expenses - transportation Positive Side -Transformational -The best learning experience -Empowering “for being able to give and also learn” -Will do it again, if given the opportunity Life changing; Insightful; Eye-opening; interesting

Lessons Learned (Unlearned) “Another important achievement, one which I think is important for all world travelers, was the process of deconstructing fears that had been built up prior to arriving in Ghana. Before departing for Ghana, people kept warning me about infectious bugs, food poisoning, and theft. From my experience, I can say that, although I was careful, none of these things were an issue for me and in reality they were built up far more than reality. I do think it is important for individuals to go out into the world to experience life outside of their little box and not allow other people misconceptions shape how we view things. If I had let those who talked only of the bad parts of Africa shape my view of the world I would have never have left Canada. The world is a beautiful place but it must be experienced in order to truly be appreciated”

Recommendations from Students 1. Expand the opportunities for internships into 'non-medical' areas, e.g. orphanages, schools, community centres, and other institutions in nearby small towns and villages that could benefit from the nurses' skills, knowledge, and training. 2. Provide more information about the type of work the students will be doing, in advance, in order that they can better prepare for their internships, including any specific requirements or unique responsibilities they may face at any particular site. 3. Provide more assistance (e.g., instructions/directions) with transportation to their various sites. 4. Spend an additional night in the Central Region (at Anomabo Beach Resort). 5. Acquire internet router strong enough to provide wifi (internet) access in the house.

My Lessons Negative -Tiring -Not enough rest -A student’s culture shock -Anxiety over students’ health -Unexpected (transportation) cost Positive -Encouraged and ennobled -Students made me see the things I did not see in Ghana before -Learned to be even more tolerant -Affirmation of my teaching and scholarship philosophy

My Lessons Recommendations -Arrive two or three days ahead of students to cross-confirm all arrangements on the ground -Don’t be too worried over students’ safety -Cut down the number of debriefing sessions -Give students enough rest time -Cut down number of long-distance travels -Extend placement period to three weeks

Pictures

GFS Slideshow field-school-slideshow/