Curtis Gregory, associate professor in the department of management, led the Fox School’s undergraduate student global immersion to Ghana—where 18 Fox School students immersed themselves in the culture, commerce, scholarship and industry of Ghana.
The week-long tour included visiting the home and gravesite of W.E.B. DuBois, making Jollof rice, participating in a Ghana naming ceremony and meeting Samia Nkrumah, the daughter of Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkruman. These collective experiences paint a mosaic of a country rich in history, community and economic growth.
Four Fox students from four different majors, along with professor Gregory, are sharing their insights on how this trip impacted them personally, as well as their perspective of global business in a developing country.
What was one moment that resonated with you during the Ghana global immersion?
Andrew Yukanis, risk management major, class of 2024: Our group participated in a naming ceremony at a traditional Ghanaian village. Everyone was given a unique Ghanaian name based off the day of the week we were born and a trait we may show. As part of the ceremony, we were also each gifted a hand-crafted pot and bracelet from members of the village. Afterwards, we sang, danced and talked. Every single person we met was extremely friendly and welcoming. It is an experience I will never forget.
Chidimma Orusakwe, risk management major, class of 2024: Visiting the slave castles was an unforgettable experience. The history was very deep and heavy, but it prompted deep introspection and provided a necessary perspective on history that is often minimized and disregarded.
Dorreen Addai, accounting major, class of 2025: My favorite moment was getting to try Ghanaian chocolate from a company called Niche Cocoa, who also gave a tour of their factory and taught us about their chocolate making process.
How do you believe your time in Ghana affected the way you think about global business?
Chidimma Orusakwe: When we think about starting a business in the U.S., most people begin by taking out a loan. In countries like Ghana, we learned how smaller companies don’t have easy access to funding their business. Getting help from the government or securing funds is difficult due to limited access to credit, outrageous interest rates and strict lending requirements.
Seeing how the lack of accessible loans can stunt the development of economies genuinely surprised me. It changed my idea of successful global businesses because, without much help from the government or financial institutions, these businesses had to be built from individuals’ savings and their communities—highlighting the importance of community in West African countries.
How do you believe the global immersion impacted the way you see your major?
Caris Daneker, finance and entrepreneurship and innovation management major, class of 2025: It was interesting to explore this disconnect in Ghana small business funding compared to options available in the U.S. This global immersion exposed me to a different side of what financials go into starting a business in a different country. There are not a lot of opportunities for startup funds in Ghana, so there are many half-financed businesses due to having to use personal finances.
Dorreen Addai: We visited a non-profit organization called Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs that is aimed at helping the youth start their own business. The Chamber’s CEO Sherif Gali, emphasized their proposal for a Ghana Startup Bill advocating a tax holiday and an eight-year freedom before having to pay taxes. This is so youth in their organization can start their own business without being taxed.
Gali asked our group a very eye-opening question: “How can one start a business with a tax being imposed on them?” As an accounting major, this question really resonated with me.
Do you feel traveling on a Fox global immersion enriched your college experience?
Andrew Yukanis: This immersion 100% enriched my college experience. I am so grateful to have been exposed to such a beautiful culture. When I reflect on my college years, I see myself looking back on the Ghana immersion as one of the most amazing moments of my four years at Fox and Temple.
Chidimma Orusakwe: Absolutely! I was so excited to learn that Fox offered immersion trips during breaks. Having the opportunity to meet new people both from Temple and in Ghana, as well as the cultural experiences we shared, is irreplaceable.
What would you say to a Fox student who is considering a global immersion?
Curtis Gregory: One of the advantages of a global immersion is there are things you will learn that you can't get from the internet. For instance, we have all seen vendors along the side of the road selling food, clothing and household goods. However, how often do you see large appliances and caskets being sold on the side of the road?
Dorreen Addai: Just do it! The experiences, memories and friends you make on this trip will last forever.
It’s a big world. Immerse yourself.
Learn more about upcoming Fox global immersions.
