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Alumni Prepare YES Abroad Students for Life in Senegal

Yes Abroad Orientation Feature Image

By Seynabou Camara, YES 2011-2012, Senegal, hosted by CCI Greenheart in Augusta, GA

Three YES Abroad students arrived in Dakar on September 2, 2016, and were greeted at the airport by American Councils staff and YES alumni holding a welcome banner. This is the second group of YES Abroad students to be hosted in Senegal.

From September 3 to 24, the students participated in an orientation program led by American Councils staff and ten YES alumni, which taught them about the local language and cultural. To get everything started, alumni presented traditional clothing, objects, food, and drinks, and also talked about Islam in Senegal at a cultural fair. The group then enjoyed a traditional Senegalese lunch and took a tour of Dakar.

A key part of the French language portion of the orientation was daily, one-on-one meetings with YES alumni, during which they explored specific themes. To help the YES Abroad students get used to their new environment, the students visited their respective neighborhoods, practiced using public transportation, and visited different beaches in Dakar. The students also had the opportunity to visit mosques with alumni, as well as to spend time with alumni and their families, sharing stories of family life in Senegal and in the U.S.

The last Friday before school started, alumni organized a picnic with the YES Abroad students and their host siblings. They all went to Hann Park, where they spent the day eating and playing games. The event was a wonderful opportunity for the students to bond with both alumni and their host siblings.

Having the Senegalese YES alumni as cultural guides as well as language partners was very helpful for the YES Abroad students, who were able to learn first-hand from peers who had gone through similar experiences. At the same time, alumni valued the opportunity to share their exchange experiences and stories.

Yes Abroad Orientation Senegal

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