Pitt in Senegal: Traditional Medicine, Culture, & French

 

Welcome to this 7 credit Maymester in Dakar Senegal, the western gateway to the African continent. Senegal is increasingly viewed as the arts and culture capital of the continent with a rich history in literature, cinema, art, and music, complemented by Senegalese hospitality (Teranga) -- the warm embrace of others. All students will take Senegal: Intersections of Culture, History, Religion & Dance and then can choose between immersing themselves in French or focusing on Traditional Medicine in a health and healing course.
 
The program is interdisciplinary by design and students will have choices on which courses they wish to take. All students will take Senegal: Intersections of Culture, History, Religion & Dance, then choose either the Health track or the French track. This is the only Francophone study abroad option available outside of France. 
 
 

What You'll Accomplish: 

Understanding the culture, religion, history, food, and multilingualism of Senegal outside of the classroom will be a major part of students' experience. Students will have opportunities to engage with the culture by visiting traditional villages and fishing communities; exploring mangroves; meeting with a range of NGOs, visiting key locations such as Goree Island Slave Museum; Ecole de la Rue; Black Civilization Museum; unique cemeteries; Mosques; Pink Lake; an La Maison Rose; and experiencing the unique cuisine of Senegal. Students will stay in a home-stay providing opportunities to experience Senegalese culture on a day-to-day basis.
 

The first week, students will be remote and then fly to Senegal together for the remaining three weeks of the program.
 
Senegal is unique to other study abroad destinations for a number of reasons:

  • Senegal is viewed as the arts, fashion, and culture capital of the continent. It has a rich history in literature, cinema, art, and music.
  • Senegalese hospitality (Teranga) -- the warm embrace of others is famous throughout the world!
  • Senegal is a majority Muslim country combining a rich Islamic heritage dating back to the 800s with a local flavor of spirituality and traditions.
  • Dakar is located right on the Atlantic ocean and students can enjoy the laid back beach culture.
  • Senegal is the site of historical transnational systems of power and control including the transatlantic slave trade, French colonialism, and post-colonialism.  For example, the Goree Island Slave Museum (UNESCO Heritage site), which from the 15th to the 19th century was one of the largest centers in the trade of enslaved people on the African coast.
  • Senegal is linguistically diverse with French as a dominant language along with 7 other major languages including Wolof.
  • Senegal provides opportunities to engage with a broad range of interdisciplinary issues ranging from rapid urbanization in Dakar to impacts of climate change and ocean health as well as health issues.

 

Where You'll Live: 

Students will have the opportunity to stay in host-families. Each host family has been hosting American students for years and absolutely love sharing the beauty of their country and culture with students. They provide two home cooked meals a day and invite participants to be involved in their family life. This is a highlight for many students who have stayed in Senegal as they make lifelong connections.

What You'll Study: 

All students take the following courses:

  • Senegal: Intersections of Culture, History, Religion & Dance (4 credits, Africana)

Students will then choose one of the following additional courses:

  • Traditional Medicine: Health and Healing (3 credits, Africana)
  • French (3 credits, French)

French courses fulfill multiple language requirements in the Detrich School of Arts and Sciences at Pitt including the French major and minor, the International Studies co-major, the certificates in African Studies, European Studies, Transatlantic Studies, and Mediterranean Studies. The advanced French course could also count towards a general education requirement in literature. 

The Traditional Medicine course will work towards requirements for the Global Health certificate, the major and minor in Africana Studies, the Global Studies Certificate, the African Studies Certificate, and the Gen Ed Requirement of Global Awareness & Cultural Understanding – a course in Global Issues

The course Senegal: Intersections of Culture, History, Religion & Dance will satisfy requirements for the Africana major and minor, the French major & minor, the African Studies Certificate, the Global Studies Certificate, the International Studies co-major, and the Gen Ed Requirements of Diversity and Global Awareness and Cultural Understanding in the Dietrich School – a course in a specific geographic region, and a course in cross-cultural awareness.

 

Senegal: Intersections of Culture, History, Religion & Dance (Africana Studies0885)
  • Gain a better understanding of Senegalese cultural practices related to religion, capitalism, education, family, and gender through field trips and experiential learning.
  • Gain a greater understanding of the slave trade and the part Senegal played as well as its role in contemporary cultural memory by visiting actual places where this took place and learning
  • Learn and practice West African Dance while experiencing Senegalese music and drumming
  • Learn the basics of Wolof

Syllabus Coming Soon!

Traditional Medicine: Health & Healing (Africana Studies1410)
  • Learn about the different herbs and plants that local Senegalese use to heal the body
  • Meet traditional healers and hear their stories of healing practices
  • Learn how Senegalese use spirituality to heal their bodies
  • Compare western medicine to traditional medicine practices
  • Connect the history of the transatlantic slave trade to health in the African diaspora
  • Understand some of the similarities and differences of health issues and disparities in Africa and the diaspora

Syllabus coming soon!

French (FRXXXX)

These courses can be fulfilled through Pitt-Recognized or Exchanges. 

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts: 

Kelsey Sobecki

Hello! I’m Kelsey, Program Manager for Arts & Sciences students. I am a native Pittsburgher and studied abroad in Rome, Italy as an undergraduate at Duquesne University, and received my Master’s degree at University College Dublin in Ireland. I have been in the field of International Education for 10 years, which includes time spent living and working on-site with study abroad students in both Rome and Dublin. I am so excited to support Pitt students in their study abroad journey! Please feel free to reach out to me at kls299@pitt.edu or make an appointment to start planning your global experience!

 

E-mail: 
kls299@pitt.edu

Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with me using Pathways!
Having trouble or don't see a time that works for you? Just email me at kls299@pitt.edu!

Anna-Maria Karnes

Anna-Maria Karnes is the Advisor for graduate and undergraduate students at the Center for African Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

E-mail: 
awk19@pitt.edu
Your In-Country Contacts: 

Items Billed by Pitt
  In-State Out-of-State
Program Fee $5,873 $6,073
Study Abroad Fee $300 $300
Total Billed by Pit $6,173 $6,373

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs
Airfare $1,000 - $1,500
Personal Expenses and Meals $1,000 - $2000
Vaccines and any required prophylaxis ~$400
   

Check out this additional scholarship opportunity!

https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/africa/student-scholarship

 

What's Included: 
  • Tuition for 7 credits
  • Housing 
  • International Health Insurance
  • Excursions
  • Airport transfers 
  • Class related activities
When You'll Go: 

This program will take place during the month of May. The first week, students will be remote and then fly to Senegal together and be in Senegal for 3 weeks. 

You're seeing student-submitted photos from Senegal. There may be photos that do not necessarily represent this program or it's inclusions, but we hope you enjoy seeing what Panthers around the world are doing!