University of Wisconsin–Madison
Study Abroad
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UW Society, Culture and Business in Senegal

A blue and white boat, moored to a concrete jetty in calm water, with palm trees in the background.
Hundreds of people on a beach, walking, shopping, and carrying goods.
Pedestrians, cars, and motorcycles filling a busy street lined by shops and stalls.

This program typically runs in alternate years. The next potential session is January 2028 - more information to come in 2027.

Senegal, Dakar

This program will inform students about the Society, Culture and Businesses of Senegal, a developing nation in West Africa. A wide variety of topics will be explored, including history, culture, religious pluralism, business, social entrepreneurship, technology, and marketing.

The program has two components, a short fall course and a winter break study abroad experience.

Sample Itinerary: 
Day 1: Arrive to Dakar
Day 2: Orientation, site visit, Dakar city tour, & Welcome Dinner
Days 3-4: Site visits & cultural activities
Day 5: Day trip to Gorée Island with tour & museum
Day 6: Site visit & depart for Lompoul
Day 7-8: Lompoul Desert visit, including community enagagement & possible camel rides
Day 9-10: Yayème visit, including canoe tour, community engagement, & traditional village tour
Day 11: Return to Dakar, wrap-up, & Farewell Dinner
Day 12: Depart Dakar

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Understand different social aspects of marketing & doing business in Senegal
  • Identify and discuss contemporary cultural issues impacting Senegalese business and marketing
  • Identify how marketing Senegal’s creative culture (music, art, etc.) can be a driver for business growth

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • No language required, French or Wolof strongly encouraged
  • Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

WSB icon

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Marketing

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Hotels

Program Duration

Fall short course on-campus + winter intersession travel

2026 in-country dates: January 4-15
(additional days may be needed for travel)

Application Deadline(s)

Winter Intersession 2025-26 5/2/2025 Cost Details
Extended Deadline: 8/1/2025
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

Students will earn a total of 3 credits of Marketing on the program, split into two parts:

  • MARKETNG 350 (2 credits): Students will enroll in this course for Fall 2025. Enrollment is required for participation in the component of the program in January.  Permission to enroll in the course will be given to students accepted in the program.

This course will meet once a week with the aim of preparing students with pre-departure readings, discussions, guest speakers and a start to their personal reflection. It will be a hybrid course with some content delivered online via Canvas and some content delivered in-person. This will include time in lectures & class meetings (in-person and online), presentations, tutorials, preparation, reading, studying, hands-on experiences, and other learning activities.

  • MARKETNG 349 (1 credit): Students will automatically be awarded this credit after completion of the program's international component in January 2026. This course will appear under the Spring 2026 term.
The in-country portion will enhance classroom knowledge with a mix of first-hand experiences including guest lectures from Senegalese local entrepreneurs, academics, and non-profit leaders, and field study that includes day-trips, company-visits, and community engagement.


Together, these two courses can fulfill a Marketing elective for the Marketing major, similar to MARKETNG 365.

For further questions about the coursework, please email the program leader (see below).

Program Leader

Program leader photo placeholder

Katie Krueger

Program leader Katie Krueger is a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she teaches Marketing in the Digital Age and Consumer Behavior. She graduated from UW-Madison Wisconsin School of Business with her MBA in Entrepreneurship. Katie lived in Senegal in 2003-2004, doing graduate study. She was enrolled in the University of Cheikh Anta Diop during that time.She has returned for varying length visits in 2004, 2005, 2009. She is fluent in French and has a conversational level of Wolof. Katie also created a non-profit organization that ran in Dakar, Senegal between 2004-2014. She has a network of contacts in Dakar and beyond in Senegal, both personal and professional, which will help as she organizes the program.

Katie.Krueger@wisc.edu

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History Department Global Perspectives Scholarship

Description
History majors at UW-Madison are eager to study and intern abroad and bring what they learn in the classroom to life.  The Department of History’s Global Perspectives Scholarship hopes to make this possible for History Majors and those pursuing a Certificate in History.  This scholarship provides students with financial awards starting with $1500 towards short term study abroad and intern abroad programs, $3000 towards semester programs, and $4000 towards year-long programs.  The scholarship can be used toward the eligible study or intern abroad program of your choice. Award Amount
$1500-$4000

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Department of History Global Perspective Scholarship, an applicant must be:
1. a full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student at UW-Madison in good academic and disciplinary standing
2. a History Major or pursuing a Certificate in History
3. Be in the process of applying, or have already applied, to a UW-Madison Study or Intern Abroad program for Summer, Fall, Winter Intersession Spring, or Academic Year. International Internship participants must be enrolled in the Worldwide Internship Program (WIP) online course.

Additional consideration will be given to:

-Members of traditionally underrepresented groups in higher education: African American, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian, and Southeast Asian (i.e., Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian, Vietnamese)
-Students with financial need (EFC of $12,000 or lower preferred)
-Students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds (educational or social disadvantage, such as coming from a low-income family, an underserved rural or farming community, attending a school with a limited college preparatory curriculum, or other family circumstances that have affected your educational opportunities)
-First generation college students
-Students traveling abroad for the first time
-Additional funding may be available for students completing internships in Africa while enrolled in the Worldwide Internship Program (WIP).

How to Apply
This scholarship is an auto-match application. Students who submit an application for the IAP Study Abroad Conditional Application in the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) will be automatically considered if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Global Scholars Scholarship

Description

This scholarship is available to UW-Madison students participating in the following affiliated programs: Center for Educational Opportunity, Chancellor's & Powers Knapp Scholarship Program, First Wave, PEOPLE, or the Posse Program. The scholarship was designed to support Scholars who are engaging in study abroad or study away opportunities during the Winter Intersession and/or Summer; must be participating on an International Academic Programs (IAP) study abroad program, in partnership with CALS, Engineering, Business, & the International Internship Program (IIP). 

Award Amount
At least $1,000

How to Apply

The scholarship application is available through Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). 

Bryan Davia Scholarship

Description
This scholarship is available to degree-seeking UW-Madison undergraduate students studying abroad on any UW-Madison study abroad program. Preferences for this scholarship include a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA, financial need, first generation college student, and first time abroad.  

The Bryan Davia Scholarship was created in his honor to commemorate his life and to continue to share his gift of enriching the lives of everyone around him. As someone who loved to explore the world and everything life had to offer, Bryan would want nothing more than to help others do the same. Bryan was a compassionate, outgoing, hard working alumni of UW-Madison who cherished his time studying abroad in Barcelona. During his time abroad, Bryan set out to discover everything his new home had to offer. Bryan possessed the ability to extract the energy of a city through the exploration of its music, nightlife, and food allowing him to fully integrate himself within his environment and it’s culture. Bryan understood the value of knowledge gained from experiences and social interactions, rather than just in a classroom. We hope the recipient of this scholarship shares his devotion to balancing hard work with an unrelenting desire to explore, discover, and enjoy every moment in their new city.

Award Amount
Varies

How to Apply
Students can apply for this award at Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH)

Study Abroad Alumni & Friends Scholarship

Description

This scholarship is available to degree-seeking UW-Madison students participating on an IAP study abroad program.  This award is made possible through generous donations from UW-Madison alumni and friends of study abroad programs.  These donors value the benefits of study abroad and are committed to making this opportunity available to UW-Madison students.

Award Amount
Varies

Eligibility Criteria

This scholarship is available to degree-seeking UW-Madison students participating on an IAP study abroad program.

How to Apply

This scholarship is an auto-match application. Students who submit an application for the IAP Study Abroad Conditional Application in the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) will be automatically considered if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Study Abroad Scholars

Description

This competitive scholarship provides students with financial awards starting at $1,500 towards the eligible study abroad program of your choice, and the chance to share your experience with the UW-Madison community upon return. Students attending any program, except the funded Global Gateway programs, in IAP, CALS, ENGR, or WSB are encouraged to apply to become a Study Abroad Scholar.  Please read full scholarship details, including eligibility requirements, and considerations on the Study Abroad Scholars page.

CALS majors must apply for Study Abroad Scholars to be considered for CALS donor scholarships. Award Amount
$1,500-$8,000

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be considered for the Study Abroad Scholars scholarship for this application round, an applicant must:

Be in the process of applying, or have already applied, to an IAP study abroad program (UW Global Gateway Programs are not eligible)

Be a full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate UW-Madison student

Academic merit and financial need will be considered

Submit completed application materials online by the posted deadline

 

How to Apply

Students can apply for this award at Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH).

Sarah Perry Fund for International Study

Description
This funding comes from Sarah Perry, who having studied abroad for a year, wishes to support the same opportunity for students.
Recipients may attend the University’s Approved Study Abroad Program of their choice (of any duration, international location, or subject matter), but may lack the necessary financial resources to do so. Award Amount
$5000

How to Apply
This scholarship is an auto-match application. Students who submit an application for the IAP Study Abroad Conditional Application in the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) will be automatically considered if they meet the eligibility criteria.

IAP Gilman Incentive

Description
IAP will provide a guaranteed $1000 scholarship to students applying to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for the first time and meet the Gilman's scholarship eligibility requirements and application deadlines.

Students can only receive the IAP Gilman Incentive one time in their academic career. No additional application to IAP is needed and our staff will notify recipients after the Gilman scholarship deadline. Award Amount
$1000

How to Apply
For more information and to apply, visit the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship website. No additional application is needed for the IAP Gilman Incentive award. Students can only receive the IAP Gilman Incentive one time.

IAP WISc Scholarship

Description

This scholarship was established by International Academic Programs (IAP) to assist undergraduate student participants in the Wisconsin International Scholars (WISc) Program with building their global competence and citizenship skills, which is the core goal of the WISc Program.  Each WISc Scholar is eligible to receive scholarships as follows: 

1) 1 scholarship of $2500 toward participation on a short-term study abroad program duration (winter intersession, spring break, or summer), and

2) 1 scholarship of $4000 toward participation on a semester program OR 1 $6000 towards a year long program.

These scholarships can be used for students attending any approved UW-Madison study abroad program. 

Award Amount
$2500-$6000

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible for student participants of the Wisconsin International Scholars (WISc) Program at UW-Madison.

How to Apply

Students apply through the WISc Scholar Travel Grant application.

Benjamin A. Gilman Int'l Scholarship Prgm

Description

The U.S. Department of State's Benjamin A. Gilman Internatonal Scholarship is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to our national security and economic competitiveness.  The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.

Award Amount
Varies (up to $5,000)

Eligibility Criteria

Scholarships available for undergraduate students who receive federal Pell Grant funding. Scholarships up to $5,000 for a semester/year in addition to a possible $3,000 Critical Need Language Supplement.

The Gilman Scholarship Program aims to support a diverse range of students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad, including but not limited to:
1. Students with high financial need
2. Students studying in non-traditional countries, especially those outside of Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand (Note: Students may not study in a country currently on the Department of State's travel warning list)
3. Students with diverse ethnic backgrounds
4. All recipients are required to carry out a Follow-on Service Project that promotes international education and the Gilman Scholarship Program at the students' home institution or in their home community.

How to Apply

For more information and to apply, visit the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship website.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their Study Abroad Advisor for assistance with the application essays.

Fund for Education Abroad

Description

The FEA is committed to increasing the opportunities for dedicated American students to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs by reducing financial restrictions through the provision of grants and scholarships.  This scholarship is great for students who are early in the planning process of their study abroad experience as the deadline is early.

Award Amount
Varies

Eligibility Criteria

1. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
2. Must plan to study abroad for a minimum of 4 weeks in country
3. Is committed to supporting education abroad in his/her campus community through work with the FEA and his/her campus education abroad staff upon return

 

 

How to Apply

For more information and to apply, visit the FEA website.

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants

Description

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. Fifty $1,000 grants are awarded each year. Students do not have to be a member of Phi Kappa Phi to apply.

Award Amount
$1,000

Eligibility Criteria

1. The competition is open to Phi Kappa Phi members and nonmembers in all fields of study.
2. You must be enrolled as an undergraduate student at an institiution that has an active Phi Kappa Phi chapter.
4. You must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.75 on a 4.0 scale (3.74 GPA does not qualify).
5. You must be accepted into an accredited study abroad program before the date provided and provide the letter of acceptance as part of your application.
6. Your study abroad plan should relate directly to your academic preparation, potential career choice, or commitment to the welfare of others.

How to Apply

For more information and to apply visit the scholarship website.