About the Program

The Dakar, Senegal Summer Program is a five-week opportunity for students to get to know the culture, society, politics and language of West Africa by living and studying in the most vibrant, cosmopolitan and stable city in the region. The program's four pillars include: 1) a seminar style course that features guest lectures from leading Senegalese scholars and public figures; 2) a service learning placement in a Senegalese non-governmental organization, tailored to student interests and strengths; 3) a series of field excursions to various destinations around Senegal; 4) Senegalese university students who serve as conversation partners and cultural guides for program participants (one Senegalese student for every two program participants).

The program is especially well suited for students with no or limited experience in Africa, providing a secure, well-guided first step introduction to this often misunderstood region.  At the same time, the program also provides a base for more advanced students who are looking for a way to begin a longer period of study or research on francophone Africa, the Sahel region, or Islamic Africa (all this in one remarkably representative country).  The program is a partnership among Indiana University Center for African Studies, the University of Oregon International Studies Program, and Senegal’s main university, the Université Cheikh Anta Diop.