A Journey That Started With Opportunity

During summer 2026, high school and college students from Maryland, including Baltimore, traveled to Ghana for 14 days of learning, cultural exchange, and personal growth through Expanding Boundaries International (EBI).

For some students, this was their first international trip. Some received their first United States passport specifically for this experience. Others came from families with limited opportunities to travel beyond Baltimore or even their own neighborhoods.

For these young people, visiting Ghana was much more than a vacation. It was an opportunity to discover a world beyond the places they had always known.

Thank You, Baltimore Children & Youth Fund: Making Global Education Accessible

One of the most important stories behind our 2026 Ghana Study Tour is how the experience became financially possible for our students and families.

We are deeply grateful to the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) for investing in our young people and believing in the value of global education.

Thank You for Believing in Baltimore's Youth

We proudly recognize BCYF for helping make international education accessible to young people in our community.

Learn More About BCYF

The full cost of the experience was more than $5,000 per student. For many families, that amount would have placed international travel completely out of reach.

Through BCYF's grant support, EBI was able to reduce the required student contribution to $700. This made the experience much more affordable for students from families with limited financial resources.

Some of our students came from single parent households. Some had never traveled outside the United States. For others, international travel was something their families had only dreamed about.

There were students whose parents or family members had rarely traveled beyond their Baltimore neighborhoods. Yet these young people were now boarding an international flight, discovering another country, and building relationships across the Atlantic Ocean.

That is what equitable access looks like.

We believe a student's ZIP code or family income should not determine whether they have an opportunity to experience the world.

We especially thank the BCYF committee for trusting EBI, believing in our mission, and supporting our students.

Your investment planted a seed in these young people. We believe that seed will continue to grow as they become thoughtful leaders, caring neighbors, and global citizens who bring empathy, respect, and new ideas back to their communities.

Without BCYF's support, we would not have been able to offer this experience in the same way. We are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to make international education more accessible.

Preparing Students to Become Global Citizens

Our work began long before departure. Students participated in a month of orientation activities designed to prepare them for international travel and cultural exchange.

During orientation, we used The Global Citizen Journal: Your Passport to Global Exploration & Impact (The Wayfinder Manifesto Edition) to help students reflect on their goals, cultural awareness, and responsibilities as global citizens.

Students explored mental health, peer pressure, budgeting, communication, and personal responsibility. They practiced market bargaining, learned financial literacy skills, and built relationships with participants from different schools and communities.

The journal encouraged students to think beyond sightseeing and approach the experience with curiosity, respect, and a willingness to learn.

EBI Global Learning Resource

The Global Citizen Journal

Your Passport to Global Exploration & Impact (The Wayfinder Manifesto Edition)

This journal was used during our 2026 Ghana Study Tour orientation to guide student reflection and preparation for cultural learning.

Explore The Global Citizen Journal

Learning Travel Money Etiquette With Mrs. Diamond Brown

We were also delighted to welcome Mrs. Diamond Brown, who joined our Ghana explorers during orientation to share valuable lessons about money etiquette when traveling internationally.

Her session helped students think about how to manage their money responsibly, understand the importance of budgeting, and approach spending decisions with greater confidence while visiting another country.

These practical lessons were an important part of preparing our students for Ghana. Financial awareness is a life skill that can support young people long after their study abroad experience ends.

Special Guest Educator

Thank You, Mrs. Diamond Brown!

We sincerely appreciate Mrs. Brown for sharing her time, knowledge, and encouragement with our explorers. Her contribution helped students understand that being a responsible traveler includes making thoughtful financial decisions.

Connect With Mrs. Diamond Brown on Instagram

With support from our educators and guest speakers, students entered the trip with stronger skills, greater confidence, and a better understanding of the responsibilities that come with international travel.

Learning Flexibility Before We Arrived

Our international journey began with an unexpected challenge. Our United Airlines flight from the Washington, D.C. area to Ghana was canceled three times.

We had to adjust our schedule and change parts of the itinerary. Throughout these challenges, our students demonstrated patience, maturity, and flexibility.

They learned that international travel requires teamwork, problem solving, and the ability to remain positive when plans change.

Friendships Across the Atlantic

In Ghana, our visiting students connected with Ghanaian high school students who welcomed them and shared their experiences.

Through conversations and activities, they learned about one another's schools, families, interests, and future goals.

These connections helped students see that although they live in different countries, they share many of the same hopes and challenges.

Global Young Innovators STEAM Fest: Learning Through Service

On July 11, 2026, EBI hosted its inaugural Global Young Innovators STEAM Fest at Kyebi Presbyterian College of Education in Ghana's Eastern Region.

The event welcomed approximately 500 participants and featured about 30 interactive innovation stations focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

Our American students did not simply attend. They helped with event preparation, supported learning stations, assisted with judging activities, and shared their skills with Ghanaian students.

It was a powerful example of young people learning together and using their knowledge to serve others.

Connecting Ghana's Independence With American History

Our educational visits helped students connect Ghanaian history with the history of the United States and the African diaspora.

At the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre, students explored Ghana's independence, African leadership, and the relationship between African freedom movements and the American Civil Rights Movement.

Ghana gained independence on March 6, 1957. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King attended the independence celebrations, showing the importance of Ghana's achievement to the wider struggle for freedom and equality.

Students also engaged with the Diaspora African Forum and learned from Ambassador Dr. Erieka Bennett about leadership, identity, and international connections.

Cape Coast Castle: A Deep and Personal Encounter With History

Our visit to Cape Coast Castle was one of the most emotional experiences of the entire journey.

Standing inside this historic site helped students confront the painful history of the transatlantic slave trade. They learned about the imprisonment of enslaved Africans, the separation of families, and the suffering experienced by people who were forced across the Atlantic Ocean.

Walking through the dungeons and encountering the Door of No Return made this history more immediate and personal.

For our students from Maryland, the experience connected African history with the history of slavery, emancipation, and civil rights in the United States.

It encouraged difficult but important questions about injustice, human dignity, freedom, and the responsibility we have to treat others with compassion and respect.

This was more than a historical tour. It was a powerful lesson in empathy, identity, and our shared humanity.

Kumasi: Exploring the Heritage of the Asante Kingdom

Our journey continued to Kumasi, where students visited Manhyia Palace and learned about the history and traditions of the Asante Kingdom.

They explored the importance of traditional leadership, cultural identity, and the preservation of history.

The visit also helped students understand that African societies have long histories of governance, trade, innovation, and cultural achievement.

From the Farm to the Cooking Pot

One of our most memorable experiences took place on a farm in a rural community.

Students participated in weeding and harvesting crops, learning firsthand about agriculture and the work involved in producing food.

They then helped prepare traditional meals using ingredients harvested from the farm.

This experience connected agriculture, nutrition, teamwork, and cultural learning in a very practical way.

For students accustomed to purchasing food from grocery stores, it offered a new appreciation for farmers, local communities, and the work behind every meal.

For Jada W., the most memorable lessons came from cooking with local chefs, shopping in Ghanaian markets, and building relationships with people she met along the way.

A Naming Ceremony: Celebrating Identity and Belonging

Students participated in a traditional Ghanaian naming ceremony and learned about the cultural meaning of names, family history, and community identity.

In some Ghanaian traditions, names are connected to the day of the week a person was born.

The ceremony encouraged students to reflect on their own heritage, identity, and sense of belonging while learning to appreciate another community's traditions.

Drumming, Dancing, and Cultural Expression

Our students also participated in traditional drumming and dancing lessons.

These activities introduced them to the role of music and movement in Ghanaian storytelling, celebrations, and community life.

They practiced rhythms, learned movements, and enjoyed the opportunity to try something new together.

The experience brought laughter, confidence, and stronger friendships.

Traditional Ghanaian Cooking Classes

Through cooking classes, students explored local ingredients, food preparation, and the importance of meals in Ghanaian family and community life.

Cooking encouraged teamwork, patience, and respect for cultural traditions.

It also reminded students that sharing food is one of the simplest ways people connect across cultures.

Three Birthdays and Memories That Will Last

During our time in Ghana, three students celebrated their birthdays.

Celebrating away from home, surrounded by fellow travelers and new friends, made these occasions especially meaningful.

The birthdays reminded us that study abroad is not only about historical sites and educational activities. It is also about building friendships, creating a sense of belonging, and making memories together.

Lyndsey H. shared a message after returning home that captured the lasting impact of the journey.

Seeing the World Through a Different Lens

Throughout the trip, students observed similarities and differences between life in Ghana and Maryland.

They discussed education, healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, businesses, leadership, and community life.

These experiences encouraged them to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and appreciate the many ways people live and contribute to society.

A Personal Reflection From Our Founder

As Founder and Executive Director of Expanding Boundaries International, this journey was deeply meaningful to me.

I still remember using a computer for the first time at age 16. Later, my study abroad experience in China helped me understand how international education can change a person's confidence and view of the world.

Those experiences helped inspire EBI's mission to make technology and global learning more accessible to young people.

Since 2014, EBI has spent 12 years creating opportunities for youth to explore STEAM, culture, and global citizenship.

Watching students who had never traveled internationally explore Ghana, ask thoughtful questions, volunteer, and grow in confidence reminded me why this work matters.

These students returned with more than photographs. They returned with new perspectives, friendships, and a stronger understanding of their place in the world.

I am grateful to God for the opportunity to witness their growth.

Thank You to Our Educators, Partners, Families, and Community

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund and its committee for believing in our students and supporting access to global education.

A Special Thank You to Mrs. Antoynica Ryan

We also extend a heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Antoynica Ryan of the Ryan Institute, our adult educator who traveled with us to Ghana.

Having a dedicated adult educator alongside our students was an important part of the experience. Her presence, encouragement, guidance, and commitment to supporting young people helped make the journey meaningful.

International educational travel requires more than organizing flights and activities. It requires adults who are willing to guide students, help them adjust to new experiences, and support their personal growth.

We are grateful to Mrs. Ryan for sharing her time and expertise with our students throughout this journey.

Connect With Ryan Institute on Instagram

Thank You to Mrs. Diamond Brown

We also recognize Mrs. Diamond Brown for joining our orientation sessions and helping students understand travel money etiquette and responsible financial decision making.

Her willingness to share practical knowledge helped our explorers prepare for real situations they would encounter abroad. We appreciate her contribution to our students' growth and readiness.

Connect With Mrs. Diamond Brown on Instagram

We also thank Ambassador Dr. Erieka Bennett for sharing her leadership and global perspective.

Our appreciation goes to our Ghanaian partners, volunteers, educators, host students, and the families who trusted EBI with their children.

Most importantly, we thank our students for their curiosity, patience, courage, and willingness to learn.

Why Community Support Matters

At EBI, we believe global education should not be reserved for families who can afford expensive international travel.

Programs like the Ghana Study Tour help young people see new possibilities, develop independence, and become more confident global citizens.

But making these experiences accessible requires community partners, donors, foundations, and families who believe in our mission.

Support from organizations like BCYF helps us reduce financial barriers and give students opportunities that can shape their futures.

We invite businesses, foundations, community leaders, and individuals to join us in expanding these opportunities for more young people.

Support Future Student Travelers

Explore Our Ghana 2026 Photo Memories

Take a look at some of the moments from our Ghana Study Tour, then visit our complete Flickr album to explore more memories.

View All Ghana 2026 Photos on Flickr