SENEGAL: University of Minnesota Partnership
School for International Training (SIT) and the University of Minnesota are excited to partner on this incredible study abroad program, open to all students, which offers the opportunity to study critical issues affecting communities in Senegal.
This program is based in Dakar, Senegal’s cosmopolitan capital. You will stay with a Senegalese host family and enjoy excursions to urban and rural regions, such as five-day trip to the rural Toubacouta region. Semester programs include a six-week internship or research opportunity with a local organization, helping you to build your global network. You will be able to personalize your studies by choosing one of four possible tracks, including entrepreneurship, health, human rights, or sustainability.
Program Overview
Delve into hands-on learning in Senegal. Spend seven weeks engaged in coursework in Dakar, followed by six weeks working as an intern or conducting a research project. The semester wraps up with a one-week capstone seminar.
Semester Options: Fall or Spring
Credits: 16 undergraduate credits
Language of Instruction: French (with opportunities to study Wolof)
Eligibility: Sophomores and higher; 2.5 GPA; four semesters college-level French
Program Level: 3000-4000 level courses
Focus your studies by choosing one of the following themes:
- Entrepreneurship in Senegal
- Health in Senegal
- Human Rights in Senegal
- Sustainability in Senegal
Other courses include:
- Historical & Political Context of Senegal
- Wolof or French Language
- Internship or Research Project in Senegal
Optional: Four-credit intensive French pre-session (one month prior to semester start)
Optional Intensive French Program
This three-week program, offered during the winter break and summer session, provides the opportunity to study French in a West African francophone context. The Intensive French in Senegal program awards four undergraduate credits and can be combined with the Senegal semester or academic year program.
All classes are held at SIT’s local study center and are taught by native speakers. Excursions to locations of cultural interest in and around Dakar are included in the program, along with a weekend excursion to the Lac Rose area. Students must have a minimum of three semesters of college-level French as a prerequisite.
Entrepreneurship in Senegal
Study the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship in Dakar. Known as a melting pot of populations, Senegal is home to a dynamic array of ethnic groups and immigrants from Europe, Africa, and other parts of the world. These differing populations drive the economy and entrepreneurship efforts in Senegal.
You will learn directly from Senegalese people and study the intricacies of entrepreneurship in Dakar. A six-week internship or research placement will deepen your understanding of microfinance and social entrepreneurship.
Health in Senegal
Discover the differences between the American health system and the Senegalese health system, as well as the unique health challenges Senegal faces, through classwork and field excursions. Get hands-on experience with a six-week internship or research project, measuring the management and prevention of disease, studying hygiene and community health, or rural vs. urban health care facilities.
Human Rights in Senegal
Explore human rights in Senegal. The country’s melting pot culture makes it the perfect location to analyze and learn about human rights issues and the development of human rights policies. Participate in a six-week internship or research project working directly with Senegalese people to further immerse yourself in the rich history of the country.
Sustainability in Senegal
Senegal’s climate is often described as “eternal spring” because of the idyllic temperatures and weather. Despite this, Senegal is not immune to the challenges that come with climate change and sustainable development. Learn about the ways in which Senegal is working toward a sustainable future from Senegalese people and deepen your understanding of these issues with a six-week internship or research project.