Eleven Months before I Go Back to Senegal Past Review
By Rachel C (English, Rice University) for
SIT Study Abroad: Senegal: Global Security and Religious Pluralism
I cannot stress enough the sheer fabulousness of my study abroad experience. I expected to explore an exotic country; I ended up establishing a real life accompanied by a family, social group, language, school, schedule that I felt I had inhabited for at least 10 years. I plan to return to Senegal after I graduate for at least a year. I am currently applying for scholarships to research in Senegal, such as the Fulbright and Watson.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great accessibility and flexibility (even for last-minute situations); personal care and support; very high knowledge about host country and great resource for multiple questions that arose; perfect size; my expectations were exceeded. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I cannot rave enough about my how fabulous my experience with my host family was. They made every effort to incorporate me into the family, along with its attendant duties and benefits. I became very emotionally close to all of the members of my family, and still talk with them at least once/week on skype and email. They allowed me freedom to explore the city, but ensured I was safe as well. I loved my neighborhood of Ouakam, which was slightly far away from SIT--but the ambiance, unique culture, and safety of the neighborhood more than made up for the (pleasant) commute. I did not need to bring any of my own items, and my family sent me away with many gifts of their own. A perfect introduction to Senegalese family life. SIT also included a village homestay component (2 different villages), which was an equally rich and genuine experience. |
| * Food: |
I had trouble staying vegetarian in Senegal, and gave this restriction up voluntarily before my departure. Food was fabulous. Future students should dine at home if possible, but should also take advantage of "shacks": quasi-restaurants that serve a large platter of tchebudjen, etc. to be shared by whichever 6-7 people happen to be in the vicinity. Very cheap and very good, traditional food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Field trips to Mbour, Kedougou, Ngor, various beaches, Bandia Wildlife Park were all superb and perfectly planned. The only downside was that we stayed in rather posh hotels during our field trips to Mbour and Kedougou. I felt rather guilty enjoying A/C and other unnecessary luxuries, and could live with less amenities. But this was a minor complaint, and I greatly enjoyed the balance of academic learning and free exploration afforded by these trips. Great bonding with other students and SIT staff members. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Expert doctor from Germany for SIT students on-call. Personal care by SIT staff. One friend who became ill with a parasite was personally nursed by a member of the SIT staff and then lived with this staff member's family for a week while she recuperated. I continually was impressed by the personal concern and empathy of the staff towards sick students. I became sick once, called the SIT doctor, and was better within a day. I needed many vaccines. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Use public transportation. Much cheaper and more fun. No unanticipated expenses. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 300-level |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
My program offered discussion-based language training in French and Wolof (Dakar's local language). Classes were structured around technical concepts of grammar, vocabulary, etc. but also permitted substantial "freestyle" discussion. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to read/analyze a work of Senegalese fiction for an assignment. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't let people convince you that "Africa is dangerous." Senegal can be, but so can the US. I felt safer in Ouakam, Dakar than in Houston. Speak the local language (Wolof)! You'll never regret learning a language people in the US have never heard of. Because 1) Locals don't expect you to use it, and love you if you do, 2) Language is the basis for almost all cultural interactions. It infuses dance, music, religion--everything. Students who want their Western values to be challenged, and students who can learn to live with cockroaches, should apply immediately. |
