Program Details
Location
Dakar,
Senegal
Housing
Homestay
Languages Taught In
French
Program Eligibility
Student Type
Non UofM Students
Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisite
Minimum 4 semesters college-level French
Photos
Videos
MSID--International Development in Senegal
Program Map
-16.67
13.74
7
Program Locations
West Africa Research Center (WARC)
Classes will be held here.
Latitude
14.691100
Longitude
-17.472100
Toubacouta
Participate in a multiday community action project in this village.
Latitude
13.784900
Longitude
-16.474300
Gorée Island
One of the sites you will visit on excursion.
Latitude
14.666900
Longitude
-17.398700
IFAN Museum of African Arts
Rue Emile Zola, Dakar, Senegal
Latitude
14.663500
Longitude
-17.438000
Soumbédioune Market
Both the artisan market and the adjacent fish market. You can find baskets, jewelry, woodcarvings, and many other things or stop by and see what the catch of the day is.
Latitude
14.677700
Longitude
-17.458400
Les Almadies
The western most point of the African continent.
Latitude
14.744500
Longitude
-17.525400
African Renaissance Monument
A colossal and controversial monument is dedicated to Africa's emergence from the oppressive European regimes that once ruled the continent and the end of slavery.
Latitude
14.722200
Longitude
-17.495000
Mosque of the Divinity
A beautiful mosque located right along the coast.
Latitude
14.715800
Longitude
-17.490500
Lake Retba
Also known as the Lac Rose, Lake Retba is pink due to the cyanobacteria and high salt content.
Latitude
14.838800
Longitude
-17.234100
Sea Plaza
A mall located near WARC. You can use ATMs in the building or visit some of the shops and restaurants, keeping in mind that these are geared toward wealthier Senegalese.
Latitude
14.693500
Longitude
-17.474500
About
We are not currently accepting applications for this program. Check out one of our other programs in Senegal.
Learning from experience is at the core of the Minnesota Studies in International Development (MSID) philosophy. This program puts you in direct contact with the social and economic realities of actual communities and people working within them to address complex issues. Through classes, excursions, and an extended internship or research placement, MSID strives to establish a continual dialogue linking experience with theory and critical analysis. Learn more about the mission and educational philosophy at MSID Philosophy.
Senegal has long been seen as a crossroads where African, Islamic, and European civilizations have met, clashed, and blended. Today, it's still seen as a bridge between Africa and the West and serves as a base for many multinational NGOs and corporations. It is also a place where Senegalese people remain deeply attached to traditional values and cultures. This program is based in Dakar, Senegal's cosmopolitan capital. Heated by the African sun, while surrounded on three sides by cool Atlantic waters, Dakar has a climate often described as "eternal spring."
Program Model
Housing & Meals
Homestay
You will live with a homestay family throughout your time in Senegal. If you choose an internship or research placement outside of Dakar, you will have a second homestay.
Homestay families provide breakfast and dinner daily; you will be responsible for providing your own lunches. Host families can typically accommodate a variety of dietary needs, but if you have severe food allergies and/or restrictions, you should discuss your situation with the program team prior to applying.
Homestays are an integral component of the learning experience and often a highlight for participants. Your family provides not only housing and most meals but is also a connection to Senegalese culture. Nearly all families have hosted program participants before and have been chosen for their genuine interest in sharing Senegalese life with an MSID program participant.
Excursions
Although excursions change from year to year, you can expect to visit a variety of sites that may include local markets, development organizations, and areas of interest in and around Dakar. Each of the International Development courses will include a day-long excursion focused on the particular topics discussed.
A five-day academic excursion to the rural Toubacouta region is considered a highlight of the semester. This takes place half-way through the classroom phase and illustrates how many of the international development theories are put into practice.
Flight
The Learning Abroad Center works with Village Travel, a local travel agency, to arrange a coordinated flight for program participants. The flight is optional, and is arranged for those who want to fly with other program participants. Group flight information is typically available by the program application deadline, if not before.
You will be met at the airport in Dakar (DSS). If you take the group flight, or are able to arrive just before the group flight, our staff will meet you at the airport and bring you to your arrival hotel at no added cost. If you do not take the group flight, we will arrange a taxi for you, but you will need to pay for it on your own. Specific arrival instructions will be sent out prior to your departure.
For immigration purposes, you should purchase a round-trip ticket, since you must be able to show your entry and exit dates from Senegal.
Learning Outcomes
- Foster an understanding of the global context through classroom and experiential learning
- Cultivate awareness and appreciation for local issues through engagement with diverse communities
- Translate insights gained into thoughtful and respectful long-term perspectives on concepts of social justice and sustainable development
- Strengthen communication skills through acquisition of local languages and cultural awareness
- Gain cross-cultural competencies through extended engagement at a local grassroots organization
Faculty & Staff
A team of dedicated local staff, based in Dakar, work to ensure that your experience is safe, academically enriching, and rewarding. Combined, the Senegal Staff have decades of experience working with students.
Dr. Ousmane Sène, Resident Director
The team is led by Dr. Ousmane Sène, who has been a part of the program since 1995. Dr. Sène chaired the Department of English, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, for 10 years. He received his PhD in literature from the École Normale Supérieure de St. Cloud and the Université Paris III-Sorbonne. He has taught and done research on francophone and anglophone literature at several North American and European institutions. Among his special interests is the portrayal of African social, cultural, and development issues through literature. Dr. Sène is also the Director of the West African Research Association (WARC), the institution housing MSID in Senegal.
Korka Sall, Assistant Director
Korka Sall is the assistant director for the MSID Senegal program and is in charge of the academic planning for the program. In May 2021, Dr. Sall completed a Ph.D. in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst). She returned to Senegal after nine years in the US, teaching and taking classes at different universities including UMass Amherst, Mount Holyoke College, and Harvard University. Dr. Sall is a passionate scholar and academic, invested in creating inclusive learning environments, mentoring students, contributing to students’ understanding of themselves as part of a diverse world, and helping them apply transferable skills to their daily life.
Awa Fall, Program Coordinator - Housing & Finances
Marie Guèye, Program Coordinator - Internships
Papa Samba Niang, Program Coordinator - Student Affairs
Program Structure
We are not currently accepting applications for this program. Check out one of our other programs in Senegal.
Coursework
Spend seven weeks engaged in coursework in Dakar, followed by six weeks working as an intern or conducting a research project with a local grassroots organization. All classes are taught in French by local faculty and take place at the West African Research Center (WARC). MSID students enroll in four required courses, including an internship or research project:
- Historical & Political Context of Senegal: You are required to enroll in this interdisciplinary course, designed to provide context to your time in Senegal.
- International Development: Choose a theme to focus your studies and prepare you for your internship or research project.
- Entrepreneurship
- Health
- Human Rights
- Sustainability
- Language: You will select to study either French or Wolof. You will choose a course in that corresponds to your language level. All students are encouraged to study Wolof during the semester. This will help you communicate with your host families, internship/research colleagues, and navigate in and outside of Dakar. Wolof is spoken on a daily basis throughout Senegal. If you need to complete a French language and grammar course for your degree requirements, you are encouraged to participate in the Intensive Pre-Session.
- Internship or Research: You will choose to complete either an internship or a research project. The corresponding course will begin during the classroom phase and continue throughout the six weeks of your internship or research project. Your placement will correspond with the theme you chose in the International Development course.
Optional Language Pre-Session
The Intensive French in Senegal is offered in August and in January. You are encouraged to participate in the pre-session program. This intensive three weeks of French will help you bring your language skills up to speed and will provide more time to adapt to Dakar and Senegal before diving into the rigorous MSID Semester. Past participants report that the extra time in the country, and additional French language practice before tackling Wolof, was very beneficial. It enhanced their ability to understand the print and televised media, to navigate the city, and to converse with their host families and friends. The French language course is taught over three weeks and awards four undergraduate credits. Intermediate and Advanced French levels are offered.
Internships & Research Projects
The internship or research experience is the cornerstone of the MSID program. Your placement will be with an organization engaged in grassroots work related to your chosen international development theme.
During the classroom phase, the on-site staff will review your interests and attempt to place you with an organization whose goals match your objectives. Most requests within a general field can be accommodated, but adjustments may be made based on availability. You will work at least 25 hours each week. Details about the internship and research process are in the Program Handbook.
The chart below will help you differentiate between an internship and a research placement.
| Theme | Internship example | Research example |
|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneurship | Meet with micro loan applicants and review loan application materials | Analyze the loan repayment rate at a microfinance organization |
| Health | Provide support to health care professionals in a small regional hospital or clinic | Survey the hospital’s education and outreach plan to address local health disparities |
| Human Rights | Provide support to an organization that provides job skill training for women | Analyze the wage gap between men and women in various sectors of the local economy |
| Sustainability | Participate in an agroforestry project in collaboration with an organization that focuses on sustainability | Compare and contrast local and national research on the environmental impact of agroforestry programs |
Program Dates
We are not currently accepting applications for this program. Check out one of our other programs in Senegal.
Fees
We are not currently accepting applications for this program. Check out one of our other programs in Senegal.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
Apply
We are not currently accepting applications for this program. Check out one of our other programs in Senegal.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Visa
Passport
You will need a passport to enter Senegal. Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your program. Information about applying for a passport can be found on the US Department of State's website.
Visa Application Instructions
All US or non-US citizens studying in Senegal must obtain a student visa prior to departure. You should begin the application process 60 days prior to the official program arrival date and your application should be submitted no later than 45 days in advance of the official program arrival date. Detailed step-by-step instructions about the visa process will be provided during the pre-departure orientation and advising.
Program Contact
We are not currently accepting applications for this program. For further information or questions about our other programs in Senegal, send an email to
Ashley Metz at [email protected],
or call at
612.625.9805.
Contact Program Alum
Below is a list of additional students who participated in past program sessions. They are ready and willing to answer your questions about this program. Feel free to contact them during your decision-making process or anytime during your pre-departure preparation to get a student perspective.
- Gabriel B.—Journalism and Political Sciences majors, French minor, Internship, Human Rights theme, Spring 2024
- Isabelle D.—French and International Health majors, Internship, Health theme, Spring 2024
- Nina S.—Global Studies major, French minor, Internship, Human Rights theme, Spring 2024
- Sophia H.—Linguistics, Honors, and Global Studies (emphasis on Africa) majors, Teaching English as a Second Language minor, Entrepreneurship theme, Internship, Spring 2023
- Carly C.—Political Science and Religious Studies majors, Internship, Human Rights theme, Fall 2022
- Olivia D.—Industrial and Systems Engineering and French Studies majors, Internship, Sustainability theme, Fall 2022
- Olivia T.—International Relations and Theatre Production majors, African Studies minor, Internship, Entrepreneurship theme, Spring 2022
- Annika G.—Accounting Major, French Minor, Internship, Entrepreneurship theme, Spring 2022
- Clara Z.—Economics and French majors, Global Development Studies minor, Internship, Entrepreneurship theme, Fall 2021