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Africa is synonymous with safaris and the most incredible wildlife on the planet. Elephants wrap their trunks around leaves, and giraffes stretch their long necks for a sip of water. Cheetahs streak across the plains and traditional dance still flourishes. Cameroon is known as “Africa in miniature” and for good reason. It is able to hold all the diversity and wonder of the entire continent within its own borders making it an ideal location for study abroad.
An elephant in a wildlife preservation project
Photo Courtesy judy_breck on Flickr
Cameroon is located on Africa’s west coast and its natural features include beaches, deserts, mountains, rainforests and savannas. It is bordered by Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of Congo.
The country, which is a little larger than the state of California and, has a population of about 20 million and is generally warm year-round. There are two main seasons, rainy and dry. The official languages are English and French but there are more than 200 dialects spoken throughout the country, a fascinating place for anyone interested in languages.
Waza National Park in the north is a popular wildlife preserve and is home to elephants, giraffes, gazelles, cheetahs, monkeys, and lions. The Korup Wildlife Conservation Park, one of Africa’s oldest and richest rainforests, offers visitors a hanging bridge and opportunities to see monkeys in their native habitat.
Nothing balances out an African safari like a visit to an ancient palace. After your day with giraffes and cheetahs, head west to the Bafut Palace. This was the hub of political power for more than 400 years and is still used today for religious and traditional ceremonies. The central shrine is built entirely out of wood and bamboo, then surrounded with 50 buildings and a forest believed to be sacred. The forest is used to gather medicinal plants and make offering to ancestors and spirits.
Cameroon Life. Cameroon has a unique mixture of culture from a past that includes the colonial heritage of three countries including Germany, Great Britain, and France. Visitors can see evidence of all three in the French cafés lining streets and beer brewing that fills pubs and homes. Popular home-brewed beverages include millet or corn beer and palm wine. The country is alive with traditional dances and foods.
Food and drink is considered an absolute essential when it comes to having a guest so Cameroonians will go above and beyond to provide plenty for their visitors even when they have little to spare. Although typical dishes vary greatly throughout the country, a large one-course evening meal remains constant.
Dishes are based around corn, plantains, potatoes, yams, corn, and other grains. Some popular dishes are Bobolo, made from fermenting leaves shaped into a loaf and Ndole, made from bitter leaf, melon seeds, peanuts, fish or meat. While fish is very popular, meats such as beef are considered a delicacy. Everything is seasoned well, so fans of spicy food will love it here.
The spice continues into the traditional dances of makossa and bikutsi that grace many stages from the nightclubs to annual festivals. One of the most popular festivals is the Ngondo Festival, where the five tribes of the Sawa people join together to celebrate the gods of the waters. Celebrations of harvests, plantings and seasons are very common and important. They always include days of music, dance and storytelling.
Besides the fun festivals and open arms of the people, don’t miss the endless attractions offered by the country itself. Mount Cameroon is one of Africa’s largest volcanoes and is still active. Its two peaks are nearly black, sometimes dusted with snow, and provide incredible contrast as they shoot up from lush green rainforest.
Studying Abroad in Cameroon. The Dickinson in Cameroon program, located in the capital city of Yaoundé, is a spring program that offers students the chance to learn about the vast continent of Africa while focusing on Cameroonian culture in particular. The program offers courses in humanities and social sciences, internships, and fieldwork. The capital is home to many national monuments and museums, so it is a wonderful study abroad location.
The Cameroon Social Pluralism and Development is another popular and well-established program. Although it is primarily based in Yaoundé as well, it takes students on excursions throughout the country.
Homestays are the most likely option while studying abroad in Cameroon, and opportunities for fieldwork are extremely popular. The combination offers students the chance to be fully immersed into the culture while putting their skills and knowledge to real-world use.
Fast Facts About Cameroon:
Capital: Yaoundé
Currency: Central African Franc
Claim To Fame: The national football/soccer team, nicknamed The Indomitable Lions, has qualified for the FIFA World Cup more than any other African team
Behind the Name: Cameroon is a Portuguese word derived from Rio de Camaroes, meaning River of Prawns
Author - Annie is originally from Nebraska and graduated with a BA in Mass Media Communications and a minor in Graphic Design from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She spent her last semester studying and volunteering abroad in Lima, Perú fueled by a desire to learn Spanish and experience the culture of South America. She has dreamed of traveling for as long as she can remember and started saving by putting dollar bills in a shoebox as a child. She interned in videography and worked as a Production Assistant for the local television station in college. After graduation, she worked as a newspaper reporter and in bilingual customer service before finding her ideal position as a Content Manager with GoAbroad. Her free time is filled with hiking, volleyball, and eating ice cream.
SIT Study Abroad
The SIT Study Abroad program base in Cameroon is the green, flourishing capital of Yaounde. Undergraduate students gain a better understanding of development issues behind the country's social pluralism through access to academic resources, the experience of cultural activities, and contact with local organizations devoted to international development.
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Antioch Education Abroad - Antioch University
Antioch Education Abroad (AEA) is an integral component of Antioch University, a visionary academic community composed of 5 campuses. Since the 1950s, Antioch Education Abroad has been a pioneer in global education, offering courses that integrate resourceful academic content with cultural immersion.
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