This summer I've been accepted into a four-week study abroad program in Ghana, focused on West African business markets and grassroots health initiatives in one of the world's fastest-growing regions. It's a required part of my International Studies degree at the University of Utah, and honestly, it's the opportunity I've been working toward.

When I first looked at programs, I got accepted to a $22,000 intensive in Asia. I turned it down. Not because I didn't want to go, but because $22,000 would've been a gut punch I couldn't justify. I found a four-week program in Ghana for $6,000 that checks every box, focused on West African business markets and grassroots health initiatives in one of the world's fastest growing regions, and I enrolled.

I'm a junior on a 4.0 streak working three jobs. I'm looking to close the gap so I can go focus entirely on learning rather than stressing about the bill.

I'll come back with firsthand research, real observations, and a much better understanding of a part of the world most people only read about.

Thanks for reading. Even sharing this helps.

— Valen