Learning Without Borders: SSU Students Engage in Study and Service in Ghana

A team of Savannah State University (SSU) students, led by Dr. Roenia DeLoach, coordinator of SSU’s Master of Social Work program, is participating in an enriching study abroad and service learning experience in the Republic of Ghana. The SSU delegation arrived in Ghana’s capital, Accra, on May 11. They will spend four weeks immersed in Ghanaian

culture while engaging in service learning initiatives in several villages in northern Ghana. The SSU students include Jessie Herbert and Kyla Chandler, mass communication seniors; Jamya Brundage, middle grades education sophomore; and Kayleen Tarentine Hill, biology senior.

A core mission of their trip involves presenting health education workshops to members of the local communities and school children. These workshops address critical public health and social issues, focusing on the areas of breast cancer awareness, substance abuse and mental health education, and menstrual hygiene management.

“This trip is an incredible opportunity for our students to apply their knowledge in a global context and make a tangible difference in the lives of others,” said DeLoach. “Their participation in these workshops will have a lasting positive impact on the communities they serve.”
In addition to learning about the importance of service, the students are also engaged in self-discovery and gaining new world perspectives.

“What I’ve learned about myself is how adaptable I am, said Chandler, one of the mass communication seniors on the trip. “Life in Ghana is so different from what I’m used to back home. What surprised me the most was simply being here, being present in a place I had only heard and read about. It’s one thing to hear stories or see images of life in Africa, but it’s an entirely different thing to live it, to feel the energy, to walk the streets, and to connect with people face-to-face.”

Jamya Brundage, added, “Being in Ghana has been such a beautiful, eye-opening experience. From the moment I arrived, I was met with warmth, culture, and a sense of connection that’s hard to put into words. Every day has been a mix of learning, laughter and growth; both personally and within the work I am doing.”

Following their service work in the villages of northern Ghana, the team will embark on a cultural exploration segment of the journey before returning home. They will visit historically significant sites, including Cape Coast, known for its poignant slave castles; Kumasi, the heart of Ashanti culture; and Accra, Ghana’s capital city.

Savannah State University is committed to providing transformative study abroad experiences that are affordable, safe, and managed by knowledgeable faculty and staff. Students can earn academic credit, allowing them to graduate on time, while engaging in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“This study abroad trip to Ghana exemplifies SSU’s dedication to developing well-rounded, globally-aware citizens, said DeLoach.”