language + culture

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By Term

• Fall 2014
• Spring 2014
• Spring 2015
• Academic year 2014-2015

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Program Overview

Students of the Language and Culture program in Dakar, Senegal are eager to seize opportunities—live and study in a French-speaking West African country, considered by many to be one of the most developed and democratic nations in that region; explore Senegalese society and develop and/or acquire language skills in French and Wolof; engage in true cultural immersion by living with a Senegalese family; participate in a community service project.

If you’re ready to seize the opportunities, the Language and Culture program in Dakar is ready for you.

Study abroad in Dakar and you will:

• Choose from a variety of courses in African studies, development studies, anthropology, and sociology
• Live with a Senegalese family that will provide strong cultural immersion
• Participate in African art, dance, and music; engage in community service and/or an internship
• Visit Gorée Island, Toubab Dialaw, Saint Louis, and the Sine-Saloum region; learn at a rural stay with a local host family, or Peace Corps or NGO staff

The CIEE Difference

Coursework

Explore a wide range of subjects from French/Francophone studies, African studies, international relations, and development studies in a bilingual curriculum. Elective subjects include history of Islam, public health and development in Senegal and Africa, development economics, African society through contemporary literature, and crisis management and international law in Africa.

Excursions

Included in the program are day trips to historic Gorée Island, including the Slave House, Women’s Museum, and Historical Museum, and to Toubab Dialaw, a fishing village and artist’s colony. Occasionally, the program organizes excursions to Touba and other important religious centers. In previous semesters, CIEE has taken students on weekend trips to the mangroves of the Sine-Saloum region, Saint Louis, the former capital of French West Africa, and other parts of Senegal where they experience rural life.

Depending upon your interests and course topics, additional trips and cultural activities in and around Dakar may be organized or subsidized by the program.

Cultural Immersion

Weeklong visits to rural areas in Senegal are an essential component of the CIEE program in Dakar. Mid-semester, you'll travel in groups or individually, depending on your preference, and stay with either Peace Corps volunteers or local NGO staff working in the field. These visits will provide you the opportunity to better understand the contrasts and connections between rural and urban realities.

During your visits, you are encouraged to observe thoughtfully, pose questions, and converse in the local language (whether Wolof or another national language). The rural stays allow you to identify key revenues and community resources, listen to the history of the village, and discover the role of and reactions to the volunteer or the NGO staff in the community. As part of the required Senegalese Society and Culture course, you are asked to submit a critical paper based on your rural visit experience.

Time and time again, CIEE students have cited the rural visit as the most profound and memorable experience during their semester abroad.

Dates, Deadlines & Fees

We want to make sure you get the most out of your experience when you study abroad with CIEE, which is why we offer the most inclusions in our fees.

• Tuition and housing
• Pre-departure advising and optional on-site airport meet and greet
• Full-time program leadership and support
• Field trips and cultural activities
• CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits

Please note, program dates are subject to change. Please contact your CIEE Study Abroad Advisor before purchasing airfare. Click the button to view more detailed information about dates and fees as well as estimated additional costs. Please talk with your University Study Abroad Advisor about additional fees that may be charged by your home institution when participating in a program abroad.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Fall 2014

03/15/2014

TBA

TBA

$14,850

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, a week-long rural stay, membership to cultural and/or resource centers and the West African Research Center (WARC) library, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$12,640

Housing ***

$1,750

Insurance

$102

Visa Fees

$58

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** all meals are included

Estimated Additional Costs

International Airfare *

$1,650

Local Transportation

$150

Books & Supplies

$300

Personal expenses

$1,750

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

Spring 2014 (17 wks)

10/15/2013

01/19/2014

05/18/2014

$14,850

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, a week-long rural stay, membership to cultural and/or resource centers and the West African Research Center (WARC) library, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$12,640

Housing ***

$1,750

Insurance

$102

Visa Fees

$58

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** all meals are included

Estimated Additional Costs

International Airfare *

$1,650

Local Transportation

$150

Books & Supplies

$300

Personal expenses

$1,750

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

Spring 2015

10/15/2014

TBA

TBA

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

Estimated Additional Costs

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

Academic year 2014-2015

03/15/2014

TBA

TBA

$28,200

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, a week-long rural stay, membership to cultural and/or resource centers and the West African Research Center (WARC) library, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$24,240

Housing ***

$3,500

Insurance

$102

Visa Fees

$58

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** all meals are included

Estimated Additional Costs

International Airfare *

$1,650

Local Transportation

$300

Books & Supplies

$600

Personal expenses

$3,500

Expenses during break **

$500

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

** academic year students are responsible for meals during the semester break

Eligibility

• Overall GPA 2.75
• 2 semesters of college-level French or equivalent

Recommended Credit

Total recommended credit for the semester is 15–17 semester/22.5–25.5 quarter hours and for the academic year is 30–32 semester/45–48 quarter hours.

Contact hours are 45 hours and recommended credit is 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours per course, unless otherwise indicated.

Program Requirements

Students take five courses each semester—three required and two elective courses. The three required courses constitute the CIEE core curriculum: Contemporary Senegalese Society and Culture (in French or English, depending on the results of a French language placement test completed upon arrival in Dakar), French language, and Wolof language. Students then choose two elective courses. Students may also take the two-credit Seminar on Living and Learning in Dakar in addition to their course load of five courses.

About The City

The Republic of Senegal, which achieved independence in 1960 after more than a century of French colonial rule, is arguably one of the most democratic countries in West Africa. Senegal has a population of nearly 12 million, with two and a half million living in Dakar, the political and economic capital and one of West Africa’s most vibrant cities. Although French is the country’s official language and Wolof the predominant language, other languages are spoken by the country’s multiethnic population, which is more than 90% Muslim.

Meet The Staff

Serigne Ndiaye

Dr. Serigne Ndiaye became the Resident Director in 2002. Born and raised in Senegal, Dr. Ndiaye completed his undergraduate and graduate studies in English and American Literature and Civilization at Université Cheikh Anta Diop and his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature at Emory University. His primary research and teaching areas include Francophone African and Caribbean literature and culture and post-colonial theory. Dr. Ndiaye has taught at both Emory University and SUNY-Albany and is quadrilingual in English, French, Serer, and Wolof.

Read More

Dakar, Senegal’s capital city, is an excellent place to be immersed in cultural diversity and historical legacy. In addition to its numerous museums, cultural centers, theaters, and wide variety of restaurants and nightclubs, Dakar is famous for its lively intellectual life and rich socio-cultural landscape that draw from both Africa and the West. Dakar is also known for its dynamic and free press, which has contributed greatly to Senegal’s multiparty democratic political system. A mere 15-minute ferry trip from downtown Dakar lies lovely Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, infamous for its role in the enslavement of Africans and home to La Maison des Esclaves, a museum that provides a living memory of a despicable chapter in world history.

In keeping with the idea of global cultural exchange so precious to the poet Léopold Sédar Senghor, the country’s first president, welcome to the land of Téranga (the Wolof word for hospitality) and enjoy the experience of a lifetime!

—Serigne Ndiaye, Resident Director

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Alain Badiane

Alain Badiane, Housing Coordinator, coordinates and maintains the study abroad homestay program. He meets on a regular basis with students and with host families to discuss housing-related issues. Born and raised in Senegal, Alain has worked for many organizations, including the Baobab Center. Alain holds an Associate’s Degree in French.

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Victoria Fletcher

Victoria Fletcher, Assistant Resident Director, first came to Dakar in 1998 as a study abroad student. Since then, she has returned to the city to work in different capacities, including serving as the CIEE Program Assistant from 2006–2007. Prior to rejoining CIEE Dakar in 2010, Victoria worked for three years in Portland, Maine as the CIEE Enrollment Officer for Africa and the Middle East. Victoria brings to this role nearly seven years of experience in North and West Africa, including serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Morocco. She received her B.A. in Literature from Kalamazoo College and her M.A. in International Educa- tion from the School for International Training. Victoria’s responsibilities include leadership of the CIEE Dakar summer program.

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Gamo Tounkara

Ms. Gamo Tounkara Mbow, Resident Coordinator, has been with CIEE since 2007. First as a faculty member, teaching a course on Gender and Development in Sub-Saharan Africa, and now as a Resident Coordinator. Gamo received her first M.A. in Sociolinguistics from Syracuse University and her second M.A. from Western Michigan University in International Development Administration. She has served as consultant to numerous international non-governmental organizations on projects related to girls’ education and female empowerment in general. Her past experience also involves teaching foreign language, professional business communication, and political science courses. Gamo has been involved with CIEE since 2007, teaching a course on Gender and Development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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Where You'll Study

The CIEE Study Center is located in the Amitié III neighborhood near restaurants, shops, cultural centers, and the largest public university in Senegal. Some students walk from their homestay to the Study Center, while others take public transportation. CIEE students study exclusively with other CIEE participants in a building that shares facilities including a library, computer lab, café, and student lounge with L’Insitut Supérieur de Droit de Dakar (ISDD). ISDD, a branch of the Université de Perpignan Via Domitia in France, offers degrees in political science and law and has a mostly Senegalese student body.

Housing & Meals

Housing and meals are included in the program fee. All students live in a Senegalese home in a furnished room. Living with a Senegalese family enables students to have daily contact with French and/or Wolof languages and learn about family and social life in Senegal, which are crucial aspects of the culture. While French is the official language of the country, Wolof is most commonly spoken in the homes of CIEE host families, and CIEE students quickly realize the challenges of living in a multiethnic and multilingual society, as they learn to function in both languages.

Host families tend to view U.S. students as “adopted children” and expect them to eat meals and spend time with their family and friends. Homestay placements are determined on the basis of a preliminary questionnaire and confirmed on site in consultation with the program’s housing coordinator. It is important to keep in mind that the Senegalese live simply, and such amenities as washing machines and microwaves are not commonly available. Meals tend to be considerably less varied than in the U.S; rice and fish are considered staple foods in Senegal. A bi-weekly meal stipend is given to students so that they may supplement and vary their diet.

Although some students are within a 15-minute walk from the Study Center, others should expect to commute by bus or taxi on a daily basis. A transportation stipend is given to students living in the neighborhoods that are not within walking distance of campus.

Academic year students can stay with their host families during the break between semesters.

Orientations

You'll begin your study abroad experience in Dakar even before leaving home by participating in a CIEE online pre-departure orientation. Meeting with students online, the resident director shares information about the program and site, highlighting issues that alumni have said are important, and giving you time to ask questions. The online orientation allows you to connect with others in the group, reflect on what you want to get out of the program, and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish. CIEE’s aim for the pre-departure orientation is simple—to help you understand more about the program, and to identify your objectives so that you arrive well-informed and return home having made significant progress towards your goals.

The program begins with a one-week mandatory orientation held in Dakar. Sessions are devoted to personal safety, medical issues, and Senegalese customs and values, including family life and gender relations. During the orientation week, you will take a French placement test and have instruction in Wolof. In addition, a program of expanded orientation activities fosters integration by having you explore specific places or organizations in Dakar, in some cases with Senegalese students. Ongoing support is provided by CIEE staff on an individual and group basis throughout the program.

Internet

You are encouraged to bring a wireless-enabled laptop. You will have access to wireless Internet and a small computer lab in the CIEE Study Center. You will also have access to the Internet at the numerous Internet cafes in Dakar.

Academics

The CIEE Study Center in Dakar offers students the opportunity to live and study in a French-speaking West African country and to immerse themselves in two of Senegal’s official languages: French and Wolof. Through a broad range of coursework in English and/or French, students are also able to engage in topics concerning Africa, in general, and Senegal, specifically. By doing so, participants gain a greater understanding of the issues and challenges facing Senegal today and learn firsthand about this multilingual society.

Internship

Students may participate in an internship for credit, consisting of 60 hours of practical experience and a 30-hour seminar taught and coordinated by an instructor hired by CIEE. Final internship placements are determined on site and are based on students’ academic or research interests, as well as their French language proficiency. Volunteer opportunities may be available for those students who do not participate in the internship for credit.

Academic Culture

Students often notice striking differences between their home educational system and the Senegalese model, which is based on the French system. While students in the U.S. are accustomed to a very structured system, the Senegalese method generally requires students to take greater initiative and responsibility in a less structured environment. Some American students could misperceive a course as having a light workload or few assignments, but students are expected to engage in a great deal of individual study and extensive reading outside of the classroom.

The resident director oversees all CIEE courses, which are taught in both English and French. Senegalese professors, most of whom also hold faculty appointments at Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), teach these courses. CIEE Study Center courses run for 12 weeks, two two-hour sessions a week for a total of 45 hours, and include a broad range of subjects.

Classes are generally lecture-based, but CIEE teachers are encouraged to foster more interactive classroom dynamics. In addition to lectures and discussions, many classes involve student presentations, which may take up a greater part of the course schedule than students are accustomed to in the U.S.

Courses are designed to offer opportunities for students to draw a parallel between the theoretical information they receive in the classroom and the social and cultural experiences they have outside of class. Field trips and guest speakers supplement students’ education and provide a practical orientation to their learning.

CIEE students have access to local institutions and organizations for research and special activities. These include the West African Research Center (WARC), IFAN library at UCAD, and Baobab Center.

Nature of Classes

CIEE classes are usually attended only by CIEE students.

CIEE Community Language Commitment

As students gain proficiency in French and Wolof, resident staff encourage them to use their language skills in everyday settings. The more students participate, the more a community that contributes to French and Wolof language proficiency and understanding of Senegalese society develops.

Grading System

Final grades in CIEE courses are based on a combination of attendance, participation, papers, presentations, and a final paper or exam. For the internship, the final grade is based on participation and a final report. The resident director reports Senegalese numerical grades (0–20 scale) in U.S. letter grades using a conversion scale.

Language of Instruction

English
French
Wolof

Faculty

All courses are taught by Senegalese faculty, many of whom hold faculty appointments at Université Cheikh Anta Diop.

Course Description

Program Blog

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