The Home Stay

Students live with host families in the neighborhoods surrounding the Baobab Center. Prior to moving in with their host families, students spend a couple of days at a furnished apartment within walking distance of the Baobab Center. Students discuss their expectations and learn tips to facilitate communication and integration with the host family. This time also allows students to recover from travel and jetlag and helps build a strong group dynamic.

The host families are carefully screened by ACI and are prepared to handle the dietary and hygiene needs of western students. After their first night with their host family, students reconvene to debrief, discuss initial observations and pose questions to coordinators. ACI works with students to help make the home stay a cultural learning experience, and to resolve any concerns that emerge. For many students, the home stay proves to be one of the most memorable and beneficial components of the program.

Lecture Topics and Thematic Site Visits

ACI will work with you to design specialized programs that meet your particular requirements and budgetary constraints. Lecture topics are tailored to your program, accompanied by visits to towns and villages outside Dakar, or to organizations within Dakar. ACI’s network includes experts on a number of topics, including the following. Lectures may be in French or English.

Potential lecture topics:

• History of Islam/Religion in Development

• Environment

• Senegal's Education System

• Women in Senegalese society/Role of Women’s Organizations in Development

• Health Issues in Development

• Urbanization – Dakar In Transition

• Regenerative agriculture

• Art – batik, “sous-verre” painting, pottery, etc.

• Music

• Panel Discussions with members of the business and development community,
  U.S. Embassy, etc.

Thematic Site Visits: Site visits provide the real-life context to class discussions. ACI organizes visits to various sites in the capital city as well as the interior of the country. ACI makes all the transport and hotel arrangements and provides an experienced staff member to accompany students on their voyage. While ACI is capable of organizing visits in most locations in Senegal, here are some of the most popular offerings:

• Ile de Gorée: UNESCO World Heritage site - The Slave Trade

• The Sine Saloum area: Students learn about the mangrove ecosystem and ancient archeological sites. They visit local organizations working to protect the environment and build capacity in local community organizations.

• Saint Louis: Students learn about this historical city and current political and social issues. Groups may visit with both small enterprises and major industries as well as spend time with students and faculty at the Université Gaston Berger.

• Toubab Dialao: Toubab Dialao is a haven for Senegalese artists, located on the beach near the town of Yene. Students learn about Senegalese arts such as batik, dance and drumming.

• Individual visits to rural areas. Students can deepen their inter-cultural experience by visiting a rural village for a period of time decided by the program director. ACI identifies hosts and provides instructions and backup for transportation and logistics. ACI consults with students to identify sites that best fit their needs and interests.

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