Description

The Development Studies program offers students the opportunity to learn firsthand about development issues in a French-speaking West African country and introduces students to Senegalese society and to such issues as education, politics, and the impact of Islam. With the exception of the required Wolof language course, all courses are taught in French, giving advanced language students the opportunity to use French daily in and out of the classroom.

What You'll Learn:

The goals of the CIEE Development Studies program in Dakar are to offer students the opportunity to learn firsthand about development issues in a French-speaking West African country; to introduce students to Senegalese society and to such issues as education, politics, the impact of Islam, and development and globalization from a West African perspective; and to provide formal and informal opportunities for engaging with Senegalese people through homestays, cultural activities, and community engagement projects in local communities.

Academic Program:

The CIEE Dakar Development Studies program is based at the CIEE Dakar Study Center, and all courses are taught by local Senegalese faculty, most of whom have faculty appointments at the Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD). Students who meet the language pre-requisite may combine a semester on the CIEE Dakar Language and Culture program with a semester on this program for a full academic year in Senegal.

All students enroll in the Advanced French-Development Studies course. This course is taught intensively during the first two weeks of the program and then meets on a more limited schedule throughout the rest of the semester. In addition, students are required to take Wolof Language and the Development Studies Practicum. In addition to the required courses, all students choose three elective courses, one of which may be the CIEE Seminar on Living and Learning. With the exception of the Wolof language course, all courses are taught in French.

Academic Culture:

All courses are for CIEE students only. Students will 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.

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 are organized to supplement students' education and provide a practical orientation to their learning.

The Development Studies Practicum combines traditional classroom sessions with both urban and rural practical experiences. As part of this course, all students will spend approximately two weeks living in various parts of rural and semi-urban Senegal with Peace Corps and other NGO volunteers.

Highlights

- Learn firsthand about the development challenges facing Senegal today through participation in urban and rural community engagement projects
- Live with a local host family to gain new perspectives on Senegalese traditions
- Explore development-related issues through courses in government, public health, environmental issues, development economics, and urban studies
- Spend two weeks living, studying, and volunteering in a rural or semi-urban area of Senegal; Visit Toubab Dialaw, Saint Louis, and the Sine-Saloum region to get a better understanding of development issues in different areas of the country

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

Please check the CIEE website for current pricing.

Program Fees Include:

The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, housing, orientation, full-time program leadership and support,
cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advertising, visa fees, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

*Students placed in homestays will receive breakfast and dinner during the week and most weekends.

Experience Required

yes

- Overall GPA 2.75 - 5 or more semesters of college-level French (or equivalent) - Minimum of two courses beyond the introductory level (200 level and above) in Anthropology, Development Studies, Francophone Studies, Sociology, Urban Studies, and/or International Relations

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Transcript
• Written Application

CIEE's Mission Statement

Since 1947, the Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE, has been in pursuit of its mission, "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. Our services to young people studying, working, teaching, and traveling abroad are more important than ever.

Year Founded

1947