My name is Brooke Rogers and I studied abroad in Accra, Ghana June 2025. I was there studying Urban African Hip Hop with 8 other Temple University students. Throughout my time in Ghana we went to three different cities: Accra, Cape Coast, and Kumasi. I got to make meaningful connections with Ghanaians, and through those people I learned about Ghanaian culture.
We had many meaningful conversations where we discussed music, film, politics, history, dance, etc. Every weekday we had 1-2 lectures and then in the evening we either had free time, or we had the opportunity to go to a museum or historical site. My most impactful experience abroad was going to the Ancestral River Walk and the Elmina Castle. The Ancestral River Walk was where many enslaved Africans took their last bath before having to walk to the coastal castles, and the Elmina Castle was one of the coastal castles where they held enslaved Africans before shipping them to America. This was my first time in the continent of Africa, so it was important for me to see everything. And as an African American, those two destinations were very emotional, but I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to see the sites because it is history, and history cannot be erased.
A challenge that I faced while abroad was adjusting to being in a different country for so long without my family. Whenever I travel out of the country, I’m usually with my parents, so doing this by myself gave me a new sense of responsibility and independence. One thing that helped me overcome this challenge was being able to talk to my parents often over the phone. Another thing that helped me adjust to being in a new country was creating a schedule where I could include phone calls with friends and family, relax, read, and other things that help my mental health.
A piece of advice that I would share is to take advantage of every opportunity you have. It may seem like you’ll be in your study abroad city for a long time, but before you know it, it will be over. Take advantage of the study abroad opportunities Temple provides because it is one of the best ways where you can travel and learn, with like-minded people. Lastly, take lots of photos and videos!
If you’re interested in studying in Ghana like me, check out all of the amazing programs offered by the Education Abroad Office.