Self-reflective, linguistically immersive, and complicatedly globalizing Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/20/2016 to 12/16/2016 with

CIEE: Dakar - Development Studies in Senegal

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A sense of my own position as a white women in a black and 95% muslim country. The importance of patience and allowing what's around us to impact us while not losing our cool. I lost my fear of being alone. An awareness of when not to lean into discomfort. A sense of what beauty can be found at the same time as poverty and a lack of hope.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Not super rigorous courses but good resources/readings, accesibility of professors, and relevance of curricula

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Not a ton of variety in food and not much control over diet with host family but still doable!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Hard as a woman to create platonic relaitonships with Senegalese men of the same age but relationships with host family and some neighbors very solid

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Had no issues with healthcare but resources seemed pretty accesible

* Safety:

Keep your stuff close to you, don't carry around valuables if you don't have to, and be smart but not overly suspicious of everyone. Generally a very safe country, despite the unwanted attention you will get

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

It's hard to know whether a different program in Dakar would have fit my needs more than this one but I think I learned a lot from CIEE staff and the themes of the courses as well as through the opportunity to intern in a school and live with a host family provided to me by the program.

Finances

* 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)

The costs of food and personal expenses could be very minimal depending on how much food you eat with your host family.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $25 USD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Street food is cheap and delicious. Definitely get sandwiches with eggs and beans from the women who sell them on the street and also the woman who sells food at the the study center. Bargain for almost everything, except in grocery stores or pharmacies where there are fixed prices.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Host family
  • Weekend program excursions
  • Opportunity to spend a week alone in a rural part of Senegal
* What could be improved?
  • Academic rigor of courses
  • Communication about finances/what things will cost
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You will not be able to please everyone or work past the stereotypes people will hold of you when they first see you but people are generous and kind even as they may seem focused on one way of doing things. Staying connected through internet is not nearly as important as you might think and you will be happier the less connected you need to be to home.

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Francais Avance

Course Department: French
Instructor: Simone Diouf
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Challenging but supportive environment to review key french grammar concepts and discuss relevant topics to our experience in french
Credit Transfer Issues: none
Course Name/Rating:

Development Studies

Course Department: Development
Instructor: Professor Kane
Instruction Language: French/English
Comments: Not challenging, field trips okay, never delved deeply into concepts of development or had much strucutre for us to hold on to
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Wolof

Course Department: Language (Wolof)
Instructor: Ibrahima
Instruction Language: French/Wolof
Comments: Not super hard but you had to do the work and speak to pick up the language. but pretty free form
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Intercultural Communication and Leadership

Course Department: Interdepartmental
Instructor: Serigne Ndiaye
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Not challenging but gave rise to a lot of thought and interesting discussion
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Urban Landscapes

Course Department: Sociology/Urban Planning
Instructor: Ibou Diallo
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Course what you make it with great field trips relevant to course material and a very knowledgable professor who lets your interests direct the pace and subjects of the class.
Credit Transfer Issues: none to report