Senegal and away Past Review

By (International Relations and Affairs., The College of William and Mary) for

CIEE: Dakar - Language & Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was very worthwhile. I learned a lot about what I want and what I don't want. It was really amazing in all respects.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The professors were fine. Not amazing but very knowledgeable. The courses were fine. Easy but fine. There was a lot to learn even if there was nothing challenging per se in the courses.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were better than any other administration I have ever worked with or even heard of. They went over and above their role and made our study abroad better.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Most people had a very good experience. Sadly, I had a very bad family. All the families were did everything necessary and we lived in a very safe and good environment.

* Food:

It is challenging if you are a vegetarian but people in our group were able to do it, so I'm sure you can too!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were great field trips for a weekend once a month and we also had a week where we all went off on our own to live in a rural village.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I was hospitalized for 4 days while I was there. I had a lung infection that became pnemonia. It was hard because the French do not tell much about what the patient is going through but I got very good service.

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

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You get about 20 dollars in stipends which covered most things.

Language

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? French 212/French 301
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It was a great time to work on being independent. The best times during the program when I had one on one moments with Senegalese where I had to use my language skills and learned a lot about the culture. The best week was when we all got separated and had to work on how to be on our own and become a part of the community.