An enjoyable experience with new perspectives Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/22/2017 to 05/21/2017 with
CIEE: Dakar - Development Studies in Senegal
Definitely learned a lot just about globalization and colonialism simply from being in Senegal and that is incredibly valuable. Gained new friends and another family, and definitely improved my language skills (Wolof was a lot easier than I thought, and my French oral skills definitely got better)
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. |
I had very little homework which was nice but I did feel like a learned a lot in the classes, especially French, Wolof, and Public Health. The professors were quite engaging, open, and invested in students' lives. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Overall everything was managed really well and I liked most of the administrators. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was really nice and I enjoyed spending time with them throughout the semester. |
| * Food: |
I loved almost all the food and didn't feel like it had negative impacts on my health, though some people felt like it did. I adjusted well to the diet changes and only got mildly sick once. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt quite integrated into my host family and I felt very comfortable getting around and chatting with people, but I didn't have any Senegalese friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Senegal is a really amazing country and it was an ideal place to go for my studies (Sociology/Environmental studies). |
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) |
Food is quite cheap (street food is a dollar or less, meals anywhere from $1-10, usually $2 or $3), stuff can add up if you take a lot of taxis (usually $2-5) or buy a lot of drinks or go to clubs with cover charges. Grocery stores really vary in price, with some products like cereal or other stuff being actually way more than in the US. You just have to be very persistent in your bargaining and you can buy things very cheaply! You most likely will buy lunch every day at or around school, and some people had to pay for the bus (about 50 cents a day) to get to and from school. CIEE pays a water stipend each month. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably about $25-50 depending on if there was an event or if I traveled |
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 |
Never used French or Wolof with other people in the program, but all classes were in French for me and my family only spoke French and Wolof. You have to use it a lot when bargaining or just talking to people. |
| 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? | Advanced French (211 at Wellesley) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | That I would shower using a bucket for 4 months (not everyone had to do this and you do get used to it but it was a bit of a surprise). Also running is totally fine and fun to do for women (while wearing shorts), and in January and February it is actually kind of cold. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
