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Using a constructivist epistemology, this paper explores the cross-cultural learning experiences of exchange students from Hochschule Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences in Germany and the University for Development Studies in Ghana. The findings reveal differences in the students' commitment to agreements, tasks and time; while the German students have a high commitment to time awareness -- reporting to lectures and other meetings on time -- their Ghanaian counterparts do not. We suggest that universities preparing students for educational exchange programs should actively embark on cross-cultural education and training, providing adequate information on the context and culture of the host country, targeting all stakeholders before, during and after the exchange program. This will enhance effective intercultural relations and social interaction, and minimize culture shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2-week community health clinical experience in Ghana, Africa, provided undergraduate nursing students a study abroad opportunity to expand their cross-cultural skills. Journal entries (N = 512) of four cohorts were analyzed for common themes using Atlas.ti 7 in this descriptive qualitative study. No emphasis was placed on how to cope with cultural shock in Ghana, nor any attempt made to teach effective coping skills during the trips. Bochner's ABC cultural learning response model provided the framework for grouping themes. Positive coping skills included the need for control, humor, normalizing, and reframing as well as a need for a break and relaxation. Venting, frustration, and physical ailments were coded as negative responses to culture shock. Due to these findings, student preparation for short-term study abroad should include discussions on effective coping with culture shock during orientation sessions and on-going debriefing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global nature of social problems indicates how important it is for social workers to be involved in international issues. For example, overseas experience in social work programs is in consonance with the Council on Social Work Education's emphasis on global context of social work practice. In view of this, some schools of social work are facilitating international experience for their students and faculty. This article discusses the experiences of U.S. students who studied abroad in Ghana in summer 2010, under the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC). It specifically examines the impact the US AC Ghana program, the people and culture of the host country, intracountry trips/tours, and the social work courses had on the student participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization's World Report on Disability underscores the need to identify and address barriers that limit people with disabilities from having access to services. Wylie, McAllister, Davidson, and Marshall (2013) consider the impact of that report on people with communication disabilities (PWCD). Over the past 5 years, the authors have worked together in Ghana to address the needs of PWCD. With only about 10 university-trained speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in Ghana, the barriers to PWCD receiving services are quite high. The authors are working together and with others to establish the first speech-language pathology program in Ghana. The authors also work to identify ways to share with PWCD and their families knowledge and skills on how to improve the communicative function of PWCD. In doing so, the authors have learned valuable lessons about the role of an SLP, especially when considering under-served PWCD, lessons that are applicable to both Majority and Minority World countries. This commentary describes the authors' work over the past 5 years, and describes initiatives that have had some measure of success in reducing barriers to access to information and services needed by PWCD and their caregivers and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's social work in Ghana, wherein she looks into the cultural differences in exchange programs between Ghana and the U.S.