Dakar, Senegal

Faculty Contact: George Joseph, Modern Languages
Resident Faculty Director: Dr. Oumar Ndongo, University of Cheikh Anta Diop (Spring '01)

Also See: University of Cheikh Anta Diop, UCAD

Dakar, Senegal -- the elegant former capital of French West Africa and one of the most exciting cities in Africa. Situated on a peninsula at the western most tip of Africa, Dakar is a beautiful, modern city and has an incredible night life and cultural life. As with the last programs students will have the opportunity to meet people of all ages through an affiliation with the University of Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), one of the leading universities of Africa where students will take part of their classes, and through the Baobab Training and Resource Center of Africa Consultants International which will arrange housing for the group, provide cultural orientation and other logistical support, and offer language instruction in Wolof (the local language).

APPROXIMATE DATES
 January 8 to April 20, 2003

ACCOMMODATIONS
Students will reside with local families with two-thirds board. The homestays are arranged through the Baobab Center. The families are chosen for their central location and their interest in hosting a North American student.

EXCURSIONS
The following field trips are tentatively planned: St. Louis, the old colonial city founded in 1654 by the French; the impressive wildlife park of Doudj; Gorée Island, an important island in the slave trade near Dakar; the Muslim holy city of Touba. Additional excursions related to the students' community service placement may be arranged.

ELIGIBILITY
 The equivalent of one term of college level French is required for participation in the program. Additional French study prior to departure is strongly recommended. All students participating in the program are required to take the course: "Senegal Orientation" in the prior fall semester.

APPROXIMATE COSTS
Students will be charged a program fee of approximately $16,288 that includes the regular semester tuition, $500 administrative fee, full room, and two-thirds board. Additional costs include airfare, books and materials, immunizations, a visa, personal travel and miscellaneous expenses. These additional costs vary with individuals, but we estimate a total of at least $2600.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

The following course offerings are planned --

  1. A core survey course on the contemporary society and culture history and politics of Senegal at UCAD.
  2. A course on West African literature taught by local faculty.
  3. A language course in French at UCAD or at the Baobab Center.
  4. A language course in Wolof at UCAD. In addition students will have a community service placement with a local agency or NGO for 20 hours per week.
Details will be provided during the orientation course in the fall and the beginning of the program in country. For more course information please contact the Office of Off-Campus Programs, Professor Joseph or visit their website at www.ucad.sn.