Travel, Learn and Serve 2025-2026
“See it, Believe it, and Become it”
Upcoming Trips
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St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (Ethnographic studies, cultural emersion and reclaiming wellness) ​
December 26, 2025 - January 2, 2026: Winter Break 2025 (Trip 2) $2,825.00
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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Postponed due to multiple travel restrictions)
TBA: Summer Break 2027: $3,725.00
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Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi, Ghana, or Tanzania (Theater and Community Building Focused)
(Ghana) May - June 2026: $4,626.00
(Tanzania) July - August 2026: $4,626.00
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New Orleans, La. (African Spirituality, Water movement and Disaster Studies)
March - Spring Break 2026
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Why Study Maternal Health in Ghana?
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Cultural and Socioeconomic Factors
1. Cultural belief and practices: Ghana has a rich cultural heritage, and traditional beliefs and practices may influence maternal mental health. Studying these factors can help identify potential barriers to care.
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2. Socioeconomic challenges: Ghana is a lower-middle-income country, and many women face socioeconomic challenges that can impact their mental health. Research can help understand how these challenges affect maternal mental health.
Mental Health Burden
1. High prevalence of maternal mental health disorders: Studies suggest that maternal mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are common in Ghana. Research can help estimate the burden of these disorders.
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2. Limited mental health resources: Ghana has limited mental health resources, including a shortage of mental health professionals. Research can help identify gaps in care and inform resource allocation.
Contextual Factors
1. Healthcare system: Ghana's healthcare system is undergoing reforms, and research can help understand how these changes impact maternal mental health care.
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2. Community and family support: In Ghana, community and family support play a significant role in maternal mental health. Research can explore the impact of these support systems on maternal mental health outcomes.
Opportunities for Intervention
1. Development of culturally sensitive interventions: Research can inform the development of culturally sensitive interventions that address the unique needs of Ghanaian women.
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2. Task-sharing and integration of mental health into primary care: Ghana has a shortage of mental health professionals. Research can explore task-sharing models and integration of mental health into primary care to improve access to care.
Global Relevance
1. Generalizability to other low-resource settings: Ghana's experience can inform maternal mental health research and interventions in other low-resource settings.
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2. Contribution to global mental health agenda: Research on maternal mental health in Ghana can contribute to the global mental health agenda, highlighting the importance of addressing maternal mental health in low-resource settings.