Senegal, Dakar and Saint-Louis
Are you adventurous and committed to delving into a deep understanding of local language and identity in an African context? This unique study abroad program is an opportunity to spend a year in West Africa, exploring culture, improving your French, learning Wolof language, and pursuing individual topics of interest.
The UW-SIT Year in Senegal Program will be offered next in the 2016-2017 Academic Year. During the fall semester, you will take part in the School for International Training's (SIT) semester program in National Identity and the Arts, which takes place in the capital city of Dakar, Senegal. You will participate in a seminar course, French and Wolof language learning, site visits and excursions, and finish the semester with a research project in a topic of your choosing. SIT programs are designed to foster enduring relationships, and they're well-known for being deeply embedded in local communities.
For the spring semester, you will be based in the Saint-Louis area. Your study will be centered around the Universite Gaston Berger (UGB) in Saint-Louis. You will continue Wolof language study and expand on your topic of interest through an extension of your fall research. You will also have the opporunity to compare and contrast Senegalese cities and identities and engage in discussions with students through a direct enroll course offering at the university.
A UW-Madison faculty mentor will be available in Madison to help you focus your research and identify local contacts, and SIT staff will be accessible in Senegal to help you navigate the new city and cultural nuances.
Staying with a host family will provide you with an opportunity to understand family dynamics, practice your language skills, and delve into a deeper understanding of the host culture.
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
- 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Sophomore, Junior, Senior
- 3.0 cumulative GPA in all French language courses
- Language Prerequisite(s):
3rd Semester French - 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
Program Structure
Subjects
African Languages and Literature, History
Classroom Language
French, English, Wolof
Housing
Local Hosts
Program Duration
Academic Year: Late August - Mid May
Application Deadline(s)
Future durations will be posted at a later date.
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Three semesters of French language are required for participation on the program, as this will allow you engage in course work and your research project.
In the fall semester, you will take the following courses alongside other students in the SIT program:
Arts, Identities, and Urban Cultures in Senegal (3 credits)
French in the Senegalese Context (3 credits)
Wolof Language (3 credits)
Research Methods and Ethics in the Arts (3 credits)
Independent Study Project (4 credits)
In the spring semester, you will take the following courses with other UW-Madison program participants, and in the case of the direct enroll course, with Senegalese students at UGB:
Wolof Language (3 credits)
One from list of approved Direct Enroll courses taught in French at UGB (3 credits)
Research Project (6 credits)
The Research project is an exciting opportunity to explore a field of interest to you, and to delve into the subject matter alongside your peers and various research supervisors. You will receive support from a UW-Madison faculty mentor as well as SIT support staff during this process.
The Universite Gaston Berger (UGB) is located just outside Saint-Louis and is the second-oldest university in Senegal. UGB is composed of four teaching and research colleges: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Applied Science and Technology, Judicial and Political Science, and Economics and Business Management.
Affiliate Institution(s)
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents