Spring Break in Senegal:
Decolonization & Resilience
Community Development: Decolonization & Resilience in Senegal is an Intensive Course Abroad that introduces students to the issues and ethics of development, service, and civic engagement both domestically and abroad, with emphasis on the impacts of colonization/decolonization on self-governance. Through a holistic lens, students will learn the impacts (both successes and failures) that development efforts can have on the communities they aim to serve. We will explore case studies from both Senegal and West Philadelphia, to learn about the importance of a community-driven approach as a model for sustainable development. Students will complete both online and synchronous class sessions, culminating in an experiential learning trip to Dakar, Senegal where students will interview and meet with Senegalese leaders of non-profit and community focused organizations to learn through real life examples about the methods, challenges, and impact of a community- based approach to development in local and international communities.
This program is perfect for students from all majors with an interest in development, social enterprise, environmental justice, health policy, non-profits, sociology, political science, and francophone / diaspora studies. This program is sponsored by the Pennoni Honors College (PHC) and open to students participating in any PHC program (Custom Design Majors, STAR scholars, Honors program).
Participants in this program will:
- Learn multiple perspectives on development using Senegal and West Philadelphia as case studies.
- Understand key factors influencing success and failure of development efforts locally and abroad.
- Reflect on the roles of (de)colonization and (anti)racism in community development.
- Be able to discuss and defend perspectives on ethics of global service-learning.
- Be able to assess service and volunteer opportunities for best practices.
- Develop cross-cultural skills in a community development context.
Credit/Registration: Students will be registered for HNRS T380 Decolonization & Resilience, 3 credits as part of their spring term course load. Students must leave room for the 3 credits in their credit load when registering or will be billed for credits exceeding the 20 credit maximum.
Course Structure & Requirements
- Pre-Travel: 3 in person sessions (below) and BBLearn dynamic readings and audio/visual materials, discussion board posts, and reflective writing assignment to prepare for experiential learning in Senegal
- Senegal: program activities, interviews with community leaders, and peer led group discussions
- Post Travel: 1 wrap up class session + final project
Instructors: Ahaji Schreffler, Senior Director, Education Abroad (ahaji@drexel.edu) and Adam Zahn, Director, Global Engagement (alz26@drexel.edu)
Winter Term Class Meetings 5:00 pm - 7:00pm (day of week TBD)
Students who are not in the Philadelphia must attend class via Zoom.
- Week 6: Lecture and discussion
- Week 8: Lecture and discussion
- Week 10: Lecture and Pre-departure Orientation
Senegal Dates (7 full days on site )
Start: March 24, 2023 (early morning arrival in Dakar)
End: March 30, 2023 (late night departure from Dakar)
Itinerary Highlights
- Site visits and interviews with Senegalese community and organizational leaders
- Tour Dakar landmarks and cultural sites including the Musée des Civilisations Noires (Museum of Black Civilizations)
- Visit community projects focused on art/culture including Village des Art & Sandaga Market
- Tour facilities focused on health and traditional medicine
- Learn about human rights from the Union of Female Lawyers of Senegal
- Meet with Youth Led Social Justice Groups including informal school "Ecole de le Rue"
- Day trip by ferry boat to Goree Island, site of West Africa's largest slave-trade center from 15th to 19th century
- Day trip to city of Thies
- Group discussions and reflections
- Traditional Senegalese foods
- Basic Wolof class
Due November 15th: $500 Advanced Payment + $25 Application Fee
Due January 15th: $1,530 Final Payment
All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.
*This program fee has been generously subsidized by the Pennoni Honors College to reduce student expenses.
Included in Program Fee:
- Hotel accommodations
- All breakfasts and several lunches/dinners
- Activities and tours including historical and cultural sites
- Community and organizational visits
- Two day trips (Thies and ferry to Goree Island)
- Private van and driver for all program activities
- Local translator for Wolof / French
- On Call Emergency Assistance & Insurance
Not Included in Program Fee (Estimated):
- Regular Drexel tuition
- Direct flight New York / Dakar $1,000
- Airport transfers to JFK airport $60
- Lunches / dinners not included $100
- Passport $165
- Spending money $100
Financial Aid: Students may request an Adjusted Cost of Attendance by submitting the program fee and estimated out of pocket expenses listed above to Drexel Central (via askdrexel). Doing so may make students’ eligible for additional financial aid.
- An itinerary for direct flight New York / Dakar will be provided with arrival and return times that align with the program itinerary. Students will be responsible for booking their own airfare accordingly and are strongly recommended to book the recommended flight.
