Where There Be Dragons West Africa Semester - Traditional Arts, Modern Development, and Ritual in Senegal and Guinea

  Guinea

• Conakry: 
Conakry

  Senegal

Dakar,  Saint-Louis,  Thies

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer 
Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Feb 9 - May 12 Sep 6 - Dec 9

Description: A voyage to the African continent is often marked by an inexplicable calling: a longing to return to a simple way of being, where daily life deeply reflects a profound connection to the cycles of the rainy season and authentic interactions with neighbors, and where the enigmatic rhythms of political, spiritual, and cultural life reflect the circular pulse of ancient drum beats. Marked by an unyielding hospitality, West African culture embraces us from the onset as we begin our semester journey residing with families in the urban center of Thies. During our 5-week stay in this vibrant town - which is located an hours drive east of Senegals capital, Dakar - students dive into complex issues surrounding gender, human rights, traditional medicine, modernization, and the brotherhoods of Sufi Islam through NGO visits, guest lectures, music and dance lessons, collaborations with local schools, and ISP internships.

Following this urban stay and intensive period of French and Wolof language study, students leave the Baobab-ridden desert of the north and head southeast into the rolling green hills of Kedougou. With packs on our backs, we embark on our inquisition into rural life much like the locals do: on foot. Sauntering down the dusty red road that leads past traditional earthen dwellings, we hike into neighboring Guinea, where we begin to investigate the stark disparity between urban and rural African civilization. Embraced by the sing-song intonations of the Fulani language, we are lured into agrarian village communities to visit with traditional healers and Islamic leaders, and to rejuvenate beneath isolated waterfalls.

Continuing our investigation of the Fulani culture and agricultural society, we return to Senegal and settle into 2-3 weeks of rural home-stays in small villages located outside of the town of Kolda. Confronted by a vast hospitality in these sleepy communities, students engage in a small-scale development project addressing local health issues, observe grass roots decision-making processes, practice their language skills in weekly markets, continue with their drum and dance lessons, and authentically delve into the rhythms of African life while milking cows, sleeping in mud huts and creating bonds with home-stay siblings.

Our course progresses with a move into the urban centers of the north, where we are welcomed by the animated cadence of Dakar and the easygoing tempo of the historic and quaint settlement of St. Louis. We conclude our African journey in an alcove perched on cliffs above the sea, where we reflect upon our sojourn and the ease in which complete strangers who, at first glance, appeared radically and unfathomably different, have transformed into people whom we leave calling brother, sister, mother, father and grandma.

Highlights: The Rhythm of West Africa: Sample Itinerary

Following is a sample itinerary for Dragons' West Africa Semester Program 2008-2009. Please note that in order to meet instructor team goals, as well as the goals and interests of particular student groups, future itineraries are subject to change. Please keep an eye on the course's Yak board for additional itinerary-related postings and updates.

Week One:
Fly into Dakar; continue with orientation and canoe through small fishing villages scattered throughout the mangroves of the Sine Saloum delta region.

Weeks Two - Six:
Journey to Thies, a growing town with a lively market, and begin urban home-stays and intensive French, Wolof, or Pulaar (Fulani) language study; internship opportunities with local artisans, musicians, dancers, radio show hosts, and religious figures; day trips to the holy mosque in Touba, artisan markets, a Sufi Islamic retreat village next to the sea, a center for traditional medicine, and a nearby Catholic monastery renowned for its unique blending of Gregorian chants and African rhythms.

Weeks Seven - Nine:
Journey to Kedougou, the most southeastern nook of Senegal, for trekking through the green hills into Guinea; stop in weekly markets, stay in sleepy agrarian villages, rejuvenate under remote waterfalls, and cross out of Senegal on foot through a remote border post; journey into the beautiful Fouta Djallon highland region of central Guinea; sleep under the stars and in small villages, compare the culture and language of the Fulani tribe across borders, and end in the crossroads town of Labe.

Weeks Ten - Eleven:
Return to Senegal and settle into rural home-stays in a small Pulaar village located just east of the town of Kolda; sleep in earthen huts, partake in a grassroots development project, examine village decision-making processes, continue language and ISP lessons, meander through weekly markets, visit Peace Corps projects, hear guest lectures from local Senegalese NGO workers, and participate in village life - milking cows, dancing with home-stay siblings, braiding hair, joining evening soccer games, and drinking sweet mint tea under a mango tree.

Week Twelve:
Return north and continue on to the urban center of Dakar and the historic town of St. Louis for NGO visits, a service project with Sierra Leonian and Liberian refugee students, a day visit to historic Goree Island, and a continued examination of colonization, history, and modern development.

Week Thirteen:
Final ISP presentations at an idyllic artists enclave perched on cliffs overlooking the sea; participate in final dance and music lessons and performances; rest, regroup and reflect, before heading back into the chaos of urban Dakar for the flight home.

Qualifications: Our admissions team works with each applicant to determine whether or not the student is right for Dragons and whether or not a student has chosen the best Dragons program to support his or her needs. Students are also assessed for risk issues, and for their readiness to accept the challenges and limitations of a Dragons program. In some cases, Dragons might not be a good fit for a student, in which case we will advise a student to consider another program or reapply at a later date.

Cost in US$: Land cost: $9,785

Experience Required: yes

NO experience is needed.

Typical Volunteer: Students engage in a small-scale development project addressing local health issues, observe grass roots decision-making processes, practice their language skills in weekly markets, continue with their drum and dance lessons, and authentically delve into the rhythms of African life while milking cows, sleeping in mud huts and creating bonds with home-stay siblings.

Age Range: 17-22

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 11

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Where There Be Dragons's Mission Statement: Dragons programs are authentic, rugged and profound learning adventures that expose the beautiful and complex realities of the countries in which we travel. Featuring extended itineraries, Dragons programs encourage deep immersion into strikingly different physical and cultural landscapes, combining the best in experiential education, travel, service learning, and physically and intellectually challenging experiences. While programs vary in their focus - with some trekking and wilderness intensive, others strong on service and development studies, and still others language-oriented - all Dragons journeys are designed above all else to be fun, safe and honest educational experiences.

Year Founded: 1993