Past Review
By Katiana J (French Language and Literature., University of Northern Colorado) for
CIEE: Dakar - Language & Culture
Yes. New perspective. Changed my future plans (made me really appreciate my home state and the connections I have with my family and community; convinced me that I was not, after all, interested in working for an NGO). Changed the way that I view happiness, the world, etc.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Full-Year 2007 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were never very challenging and there wasn't any homework but some of the teachers were very harsh graders when it came to test-taking. A few of the classes/professors were excellent though. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were extremely helpful and supportive. Always available for us when we needed it. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a Senegalese family who spoke mainly Wolof which was challenging but the most educational part of my trip. Too many cockroaches in my house, but other students didn't have that problem. I lived in the Wakaam neighborhood, cite ASECNA. <br /><br /> |
| * Food: |
lunch was good (rice dishes) but dinner could be tricky (weird meat parts and way too much liver and canned peas at my house). My family tried to accommodate my tastes as much as they could. Tips for a cheap lunch: sandwich stand at the university had sandwiches for a dollar or less (yum!) and the "ceeb shack" down the street had daily rice dishes (tons of delicious food for less than a dollar). My host family loved when I came home for lunch but it was a little too far most of the time. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
With my family I saw so many things: traditional feasts and celebrations, weddings, even an exorcism ceremony. The CIEE planned trips were great too. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Senegal is very safe. Once you get to know people and they recognize you, they will look out for you. The only thing to possibly be afraid of is pick-pocketing. I never needed any health care while I was there. The only illnesses I had were from food poisoning once, traveller's diarrhea, and from drinking the water once. Bring hydration and anti-diarrhea meds and maybe vitamins since you might not get a lot of produce in your diet. |
| 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? | $10-$20 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I wish I had more money to travel around West Africa with the other students. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I learned to speak Wolof adequately because it was all my family spoke. My french skills improved mainly by the immersion, rather than the french courses. I feel like it cemented my french fluency. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It's a life-changing experience in many ways and one of the greatest adventures of your life. Not a good program for students who are not interested in adapting to cultural expectations (students who just want to drink/party or go out all the time which is looked down upon in this culture and will cause a lot of tension with host families). You must be flexible and open to new things and ideas, and not too picky about food. |
