American Scholar Program
The American Scholars Program brings American students to Ghana in the summer for three weeks to teach in Heritage Academy's summer program, and be immersed in the local culture. It has realized amazing results with many participants describing their experiences as being transformational.
While in Ghana, in addition to their teaching and tutoring responsibilities, grant recipients live together with other American students and volunteer teachers. They participate in workshops on globalization, poverty eradication, sustainability and cultural arts. They can choose to lead a mini-workshop for younger students. On weekends, they visit educational and historical sites such as the slave castles in Cape Coast and the Kakam Forest Reserve.
The Program has the following additional features;
- Any rising high school junior can apply.
- A formal application must be made.
- The application includes a written essay on why the student wants to go to Ghana, areas of interest in terms of teaching, and a letter of recommendation from a teacher.
- A three person selection committee, consisting entirely of secondary school teachers, reviews all applications on a blind basis.
- Finalists are selected and interviewed to evaluate interest, maturity and capabilities.
- Student grants include all expenses in Ghana for the three week period covered (approximately $500). Travel expenses must be covered by the student.
- Upon return, grant recipients are required to write a paper or reflection on their experience, and are encouraged to sponsor a project in their home school in some way related to their Ghanaian experience.