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Askins (C), other UGA students pose with Ghana residents during UGA West African Study Abroad Trip this past summer.

Caitlin Askins, a University of Georgia graduate student in social studies education, was honored for her commitment to raise awareness about the educational needs of children around the world during UGA’s Interdisciplinary Ghana Study Abroad Program last month.

Askins, a master’s student in the College of Education and a 7th grade geography teacher at Loganville Middle School, received the program’s Horn Blower Award for her participation in the Ghanaian School Uniform and Resource Project.

For the last seven years, the Ghanaian School Uniform and Resource Project has raised money from faculty, students, families and friends in an effort to reduce educational barriers for needy children in Ghana. To date, the program has purchased over 800 uniforms, hundreds of sandals, books, tablets, and writing paper for elementary level children in traditional western African villages.

The project’s effort this year raised $2,600 that purchased 200 school uniforms, over 50 pair of sandals, and other school supplies for grade levels 1-6 in the Torgorme Village in the Volta Region of Ghana.
Askins was one of several COE students participating in the Interdisciplinary Ghana Study Abroad Program, which was held this year from May 17-June 8.

The Interdisciplinary Ghana Study Abroad Program, based in UGA’s School of Social Work, consists of a series of lectures, local school visitations, cultural demonstrations, historical tours, cultural events and service learning activities during a three-week visit in the West African country.

Bettye P. Smith, a professor in workforce education and coordinator of the Ghana Study Abroad Program for the College of Education, teaches a course titled, Introduction to International Workforce Education, which is open to all UGA undergraduate and graduate students.

In this course, students have an opportunity to examine models, issues and trends in education closely related to their area of emphasis/academic major through focused visits to three major universities and four public and private schools in Ghana. The guided visitations to educational settings coupled with readings and discussions help students to understand how citizens in Ghana are prepared for the workforce and higher education.
Smith and her students were among four faculty and 13 students from four different UGA schools and colleges to participate in the 11th year of the program.

Recruitment for participants in the Interdisciplinary Ghana Study Abroad Program begins in October during the UGA Office of International Education’s Study Abroad Fair.

For more information, visit:
https://www.oie.uga.edu/ViewProgram/1795

or contact Bettye Smith at smithb@uga.edu.