On July 31, 2013, an intensive Pre-Departure Orientation session took place in Dakar, Senegal. Cultural Affairs Officer Jeff Cary ran three workshops: Education in the United States, being a new member of a multicultural society, and US laws and implications for exchange students. Afterwards, the United States Ambassador to Senegal invited the YES Program finalists to his home for dinner. They were joined by 20 YES alumni, the escorts of the finalists, the YES team in Senegal, and the Ministry of Education.