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Dragons West Africa Semester Abroad - A Gap Year Program

Program Affiliation: Where There Be Dragons

Location: Dakar Senegal , Saint-Louis Senegal , Thies Senegal , Conakry Guinea

A voyage to the African continent is often marked by an inexplicable calling: a longing to return to a simple way of being, where daily life deeply reflects a profound connection to the cycles of the rainy season and authentic interactions with neighbors, and where the enigmatic rhythms of political, spiritual, and cultural life reflect t... read more A voyage to the African continent is often marked by an inexplicable calling: a longing to return to a simple way of being, where daily life deeply reflects a profound connection to the cycles of the rainy season and authentic interactions with neighbors, and where the enigmatic rhythms of political, spiritual, and cultural life reflect the circular pulse of ancient drum beats. Marked by an unyielding hospitality, West African culture embraces us from the onset as we begin our semester journey residing with families in the urban center of Thies. During our 5-week stay in this vibrant town - which is located an hours drive east of Senegals capital, Dakar - students dive into complex issues surrounding gender, human rights, traditional medicine, modernization, and the brotherhoods of Sufi Islam through NGO visits, guest lectures, music and dance lessons, collaborations with local schools, and ISP internships.

Following this urban stay and intensive period of French and Wolof language study, students leave the Baobab-ridden desert of the north and head southeast into the rolling green hills of Kedougou. With packs on our backs, we embark on our inquisition into rural life much like the locals do: on foot. Sauntering down the dusty red road that leads past traditional earthen dwellings, we hike into neighboring Guinea, where we begin to investigate the stark disparity between urban and rural African civilization. Embraced by the sing-song intonations of the Fulani language, we are lured into agrarian village communities to visit with traditional healers and Islamic leaders, and to rejuvenate beneath isolated waterfalls.

Continuing our investigation of the Fulani culture and agricultural society, we return to Senegal and settle into 2-3 weeks of rural home-stays in small villages located outside of the town of Kolda. Confronted by a vast hospitality in these sleepy communities, students engage in a small-scale development project addressing local health issues, observe grass roots decision-making processes, practice their language skills in weekly markets, continue with their drum and dance lessons, and authentically delve into the rhythms of African life while milking cows, sleeping in mud huts and creating bonds with home-stay siblings.

Our course progresses with a move into the urban centers of the north, where we are welcomed by the animated cadence of Dakar and the easygoing tempo of the historic and quaint settlement of St. Louis. We conclude our African journey in an alcove perched on cliffs above the sea, where we reflect upon our sojourn and the ease in which complete strangers who, at first glance, appeared radically and unfathomably different, have transformed into people whom we leave calling brother, sister, mother, father and grandma.
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