By: Katy Coakley
Two study abroad programs to Ghana and Oxford are now being offered for students interested in seeing beautiful and fascinating places.
Information on the Oxford program was held in Lewis Hall on Sept. 18 with a visit from the Vice Regent of Blackfriars Hall. The Ghana program began holding an information table for students on Sept. 13 in the Cyber Café.
Dr. Nkuzi Nnam, philosophy professor and Black World studies director, hopes the study abroad to Ghana will allow students to learn more about African philosophy and culture.
“We will see monuments, learn about African history and see historical locations,” said Nnam. “Ghana is known as the Gold Coast in Africa and has the highest amounts of gold there. We will go to gold mines and see how it processes.”
Nnam explained that students will first travel Accra, the capital of Ghana, and then to Kumasi, which is in the Ashanti Region.
“I want to encourage students to go there because Africa is the most colonized continent in the world,” said Nnam. “Ghana is the only study abroad program in the African section. Students should take advantage of this.”
22 students have already made a deposit for the Ghana study abroad program. This program does fulfill the multicultural requirement as well as requirements for the Black World studies major and minor.
Dr. Clodagh Weldon, theology professor and Oxford study abroad director, talked about the connections between Dominican and Oxford and how the program began.
“The Dominicans have been in Oxford since 1221 and the Blackfriars Hall program dates to the 1970s,” said Weldon. “I was a student at Oxford, and it was here that first I encountered the Dominicans, and my life has never been the same. Those connections with the Dominican friars led to an agreement in 2005 to allow Dominican to participate in their study abroad program.”
Two juniors, Haven Barnes and Rachel Esser, will study abroad to Oxford.
Barnes said her upbringing in India influenced her decision to study abroad in Oxford.
“I know that many countries have different ways of educating students and I wanted to be a part of a different framework,” said Barnes. “I am going to study medieval history, so studying that field in England would be a great way to visit the sights I will learn about.”
She also stated she hopes to take away more information about studying for a master’s degree when abroad.
“I really want to build my network from Oxford and keep in touch with people during my time there,” said Barnes. “I am looking forward to coming away with what I learn and sharpen my academic skills.”
Esser said she thinks studying abroad to Oxford will help get her out of her comfort zone.
“There will definitely be an adjustment period and some hard days,” said Esser. “However, I do think it will all be worth it in the end. I hope to have a new outlook on life.”
She also explained why the style of teaching at Oxford will allow her to shift into a new way of thinking.
“I think this will make me think more critically about what I am learning, ask questions, and think more deeply,” said Esser. “I also hope to have some memorable adventures and good stories.”
Esser left for Oxford on Sept. 27 while Barnes will depart in January 2024. Students participating in the Ghana program leave on March 2, 2024.
kcoakley@my.dom.edu
