WEB DESIGN WORK EXPERIENCE INTERNSHIP

Work alongside professional web designers in the largest web design and development firm in Ghana. Observe experts and learn how they work in an African culture and environment. The experience you gain will be invaluable to you in the future and totally different to what you're used to in your home country.

This company specializes in interactive media development, applications development and E-business development. Focused on both multimedia and server side technology, this company has created a number of award winning sites and helped advance the state of Web Africa, operating from the early days when most of the usual suspects in Web Africa were still cutting their teeth.

PROJECT OVERVIEW
This placement is well suited for people with a passion for web design and will enable you to utilise your programming skills or/and graphic skills with one of the most dynamic multi-media firms in West Africa.

The IT company you'll work with is a relatively new media/internet company, founded in 2001. The company specializes in interactive media development, applications development and E-business development. Focused on both multimedia and server side technology, this company has created a number of award winning sites and helped advance the state of Web Africa, operating from the early days when most of the usual suspects in Web Africa were still cutting their teeth.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Africa and Ghanaian culture.

• You'll learn a lot from experts in your field about how they work in a culture that is very different to what you're used to.

• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.

• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market

• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

In CS, they utilise two types of skills, programmers and graphic designers. If you find that you are using a package that is unfamiliar, you will be given the opportunity to learn the software before commencing work on a project.  During your project, you could find yourself using a number of different tools and environments.

All your work is very team-orientated, thus it is important that you can work within a team, as well as being able to work on your own initiative. If you have a passion for multimedia and apply yourself well, you'll have a great placement experience!

• You get real responsibility on projects once you’re familiar with the software/hardware/programming languages that CS uses. Though you’re not just thrown into the deep end, Robin (my manager) is always willing to help out with any problems.
• Since this placement is in Ghana, the atmosphere at CS is very laid back. I love it! The work colleagues in the office are all very friendly too.
• You’re free to work almost whatever hours you like. Working hours are loosely based around 9am – 5pm weekdays, though, they really are flexible. So you can work longer/shorter days, weekends or evenings if you like. As long as you get the work done it’s fine!

"I generally spend the majority of my day coding and designing the website. Since I’ve been made project manager on this project, I have a great deal more responsibility than I feel I would get back in the UK doing similar work."  Omar Choudhary, IT and Web Design placement

To read about a "Typical Day in the life of ..." this project and some feedback from a past volunteer, please click here.

The offices at the IT company

This IT company is one of the biggest web design companies in West Africa
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Your accommodation will vary depending on the type of placement you're doing and where you are located. You may live in comfortable guest house accommodation, but you will most likely live with a host family. This means that you get to eat, sleep, work, socialise and generally live like a Ghanaian. Local family stays enable you to fully experience the local culture from the inside.

Many of our volunteers remain friends with their host families long after they leave Ghana and in some cases they return to the country later especially to visit their family. Sometimes members of their Ghanaian family have even gone to visit them in their home country.

"My family - Lizzie and Prince are lovely. The children are very sweet, and I feel extremely lucky to have been placed with them. The house is of a Western standard in most ways, and Lizzie's cooking is excellent. I feel a part of their family already."

Food will be local cuisine - again this is to enable you to fully experience living as local Ghanaians do. Read about what it's like to live in Ghana

As always, our Local Manager will look after you well and will always be on hand to help and offer advice.

Caroline on the left, Susannah on the right
standing on the front verandah of their accommodation with Caroline’s host, Lizzie

Photo Gallery