PRE-DEPARTURE
After submitting an application, we'll interview you to make sure you're a good fit
We'll work with you to craft a custom placement with a storyteller
Participate in pre-departure training
PLACEMENT
Travel
Participate in orientation
Be embedded with a media professional and spend your time learning through storytelling
Meet the locals whose community media projects we support
RETURN
Return home with a portfolio of media and stories to help share your experience with others
Participate in debriefing
Join our alum network to connect with like-minded individuals
What’s included:
Pre-departure training on topics including: cross-cultural communication, anti-oppression and conscious storytelling
A virtual toolkit to familiarize yourself with the country's history and current affairs
A custom placement with a local storyteller
Airport transfers
In-country orientation
Shared accommodations
Two meals per day
24/7 support from a trip leader
Debriefing and support upon completion of placement
A donation to youth media programs in Ghana
Not included: airfare, visa and medications
You'll be housed with other participants and a trip leader who will facilitate the in-country orientation and provide round-the-clock assistance.
To ensure every participant gets personalized support, we cap our trips at 10 participants.
This experience promises to take you off the beaten path, stretch your thinking and connect you to some of the country's brightest minds.
“My experience in Ghana was not only eye-opening, it was life changing. Interacting with local journalists taught me the value of perseverance and adaptability. When you travel, be prepared to challenge any expectations and stereotypes, including ones you didn’t know you had. If you’re on the fence about going: go! I can’t put into words how valuable this experience will be.”
“People freaked out when I told them I was going to Ghana. When I got there, I was angry at everyone who warned me not to go. I felt safe and I met nothing but amazing people and had awesome experiences... You meet people and see that they have jobs like we do and they go to bars just like us. So when I went back home I focused on the idea of how we can change these assumptions people have about places.”
““The trip came together so seamlessly. You made connections for me, taught me the trotro [bus] routes and introduced me to the neighbours. You usually don’t travel to a place and get thrown into a network, but that’s exactly what happened. Because people knew and trusted New Lens, they trusted me and it gave me a lot of confidence.
I was so surprised by how welcoming people are and how comfortable I felt. We spent a lot of time hearing what local people were saying and learning what their experiences were, instead of going in with helping hands…it was really valuable.””