Senegal, neex na! Past Review
By A student (Environmental Studies and Geography, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/01/2013 to 12/14/2013 with
SIT Study Abroad: Senegal: Global Security and Religious Pluralism
Absolutely, can't even describe how much you will learn about yourself, your home college/university, and the US. Not to mention what you will learn about Senegal and the amazing people who live there.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Very happy with resources available, esp. logistical support, but not a very rigorous program academically speaking |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was so happy with my host family in Dakar that I stayed with them for the entire 3 months. I was happy to have the option to move out after 2 months and many friends took advantage of that and had a great experience also. |
| * Food: |
Ceebu jen, mafe, and yassa - you can't go wrong! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It's a big city and there are a lot of safety issues that come with that. Using common sense and following your gut is the best prevention. I will say that I felt safer walking around in my neighborhood after dark than I would in NYC. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Senegal is CHEAP. It's pretty wonderful. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | basically none - the program gives you a stipend for food and transport, so maybe about 20-30 dollars a week for going out/buying souvenirs |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Learn how to take the car rapide early on! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | FREN 0210 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Ask questions of your professors in French |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The academics are just not that stellar. Come prepared to make the most out of your free time. Also start brainstorming ISP ideas before you come, and try to start making connections as soon as you arrive, or a few weeks. The professors won't spoon feed you ISP ideas or resources, but if you ask them they will help you find resources. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Advanced French |
| Course Department: | French |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | French |
| Comments: | In the beginning it was fun - we did presentations on various aspects of Senegalese culture, talked with university students about current events, but eventually it devolved into 10th-grade level grammar exercises. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Intro Wolof |
| Course Department: | Wolof |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | French, English, Wolof |
| Comments: | I was so happy with our Wolof instruction and was impressed with how far I could take a Wolof conversation when I left Senegal. |
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| Course Name/Rating: |
Research Methods |
| Course Department: | ANTH |
| Instructor: | various guest lecturers |
| Instruction Language: | English/French |
| Comments: | Not very challenging, mostly stuff that you learn in high school. I did not feel prepared to take on an independent research project after completing the course. All lecturers were knowledgeable however and responded to questions well. |
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| Course Name/Rating: |
Arts and Culture Seminar |
| Course Department: | ANTH |
| Instructor: | guest lecturers |
| Instruction Language: | English, French |
| Comments: | The arts workshops were very fun, but the lecture component was mostly guest lecturers who barely scratched the surface of issues which we never again addressed. Don't expect to tackle arts in a serious academic way during this class |
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