French and African Studies
in Western Africa - Senegal

Spring Semester 2010 closed

21 weeks (January 5 - May 30, 2010)

Sponsored by the College of Arts & Letters and the College of Music in conjunction with the African Studies Center

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Study in Dakar, Senegal for the spring semester on a program affiliated with the Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD). Senegal is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in Africa and yet remains relatively little known. A stable democracy, friendly people, moderate climate and an efficient communication system combine to make this one of the most accessible of African nations. Gain first-hand experience and study in this fascinating country that is regarded as a vibrant cultural center in Africa, a positive model of a modern and democratic African nation, and whose complex history spanning the birth and development of Islamic suffism, the gold and slave trade, the impact and residue of French colonialism, accounts greatly for its contemporary diverse culture.

The program runs from early January to late May with a spring break in late March/early April.

Where does it take place?

Located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, Senegal has long been seen as a crossroads where black African, Islamic, and European civilizations have met, clashed, and blended. Today, Senegal is still seen as a bridge between Africa and the West, and also where Senegalese people remain deeply attached to traditional values and cultures. This program is based in Dakar, Senegal's cosmopolitan capital. The rainy season runs from July to October and the dry season, which makes up the rest of the year, tends to be very hot and arid, except in the coastal regions (such as Dakar) where the temperature and humidity are modified by ocean breezes. 

The program is affiliated with the Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) and the West African Research Center (WARC) that allows a combination of specially arranged and university courses.  Founded in the early 1950’s, the university follows the French model of education and enrolls over 50,000 students. WARC, located near UCAD, opened in 1994 and serves as an international crossroads and portal to learning and knowledge on West Africa, the rest of the African Continent, the Americas and the Black Diaspora, and a regional center of international and scholarly activity.

What can I study?

The Institut de Francais pour Etudiants Etrangers (IFE) is a part of the UCAD University system that specializes in the teaching of French language and the literature and culture of French-speaking (Francophone) countries. All participants are required to take at least one French language course; these courses at IFE are available based on students’ command of the French language.  

Because students live with Senegalese host families, all students are required to enroll in Wolof, the most predominant local language. By studying Wolof, students also gain invaluable insights into the local culture. This course will focus on basic conversational Wolof. The essential vocabulary, grammar and structure of Wolof will be presented and the emphasis will be on communication.

All courses are taught in French and are equivalent to three US semester credits.  Courses to be offered in 2010 are:

• History of Islam in Senegal: The course focuses on the study of Islam since its advent in the 11th Century.  Topics discussed include the historical development of the religion, as well as its role in the socio-cultural, political and economic spheres of the Senegalese society today.  The students will also be introduced to the culture of various Islamic Brotherhoods in Senegal.
• African literature (Anglophone and / or Francophone):  This course, which may be taught in French or English (based on the students’ preference), will familiarize students with both Francophone and Anglophone African literatures. Emphasis will be placed on how African-ness is defined in the literary works under study, by considering story elements like the setting, characterization, themes, and discourse.  The works under study will be approached from a multi-disciplinary perspective to better illustrate their cultural, sociological, political, religious import.
• African Political Systems: Most African countries gained their independence in the 1960’s. Since then, they have adopted various models of political organization, inspired by both Western and traditional political ideals. The course will help students read and develop a better understanding of the African political landscape.
• Urban Sociology: This course introduces the students to various aspects of urbanism starting with its history in the US and in France. Urban ideology and culture are closely tied to the concept of space: a space which is the product of social and economic forces and informs our perspectives on everyday life.
• Conflict Resolution: This course focuses on the various strategies used to solve conflicts in Africa. Students will have the opportunity to understand the roots of the internal and external conflicts that arise on the African continent. The course will explore the indigenous, national and international mechanisms used to solve such conflicts.  Other conflict-related issues will also be addressed in this course, conducted by faculty with a strong expertise in the field of West African politics.
• Gender Issues: The course will strengthen students’ knowledge of gender issues and practices while introducing them to the general perception of these issues in Africa (specifically Senegal). We will emphasize challenges that Senegalese society faces while taking into account gender relations at various levels. Rather than focusing on gender theories, we will dwell more on the role religion, the patriarchal system, and socio-cultural constraints play in gender dynamics.
• History of Senegambia: Through a global perspective, this course will cover the history of Senegambia that is not only focused on pre-colonial kingdom borders nor on those inherited from the colonial past.  Students will gain an understanding of a number of prominent political, economic and social issues existing in Senegambian regional communities. The course will also cover the following topics:  regional and interregional trade, the impact of the Atlantic trade, contradictions between Muslim power and Ceddo power, the process of fragmentation and expansion of the Senegambian space, the gradual loss of autonomy in all regions due to the colonial heritage and current problems relating to regional integration.
• Introduction to Classical African Music: This interactive course is designed to provide an in-depth and multi-ethnic perspective of African music. The course will teach fundamentals to understand classical music styles in Sub Saharan Africa, their role in their respective community, their composition, and their contribution to music in the world. Students will visit with experienced artists to share knowledge across musical genres, identify instruments and learn how to make them, and learn songs and songwriting techniques. The course will be divided into two sections: theory and practice (opportunity to actually play instruments, make them, learn dance steps, and learn drumming or singing techniques).
• French Language Intensive Review Course: This course focuses on the intensive study of the language in relation to Senegalese civilization.  The course will be devoted to building the four language skills (encompassing reading comprehension, listening, speaking and writing skills), and will allow students to comparatively learn about a different civilization, which is both Senegalese and African.  Course goals include increasing speaking and writing fluency, improving descriptive and argumentative skills in French and gaining an understanding of some aspects of Senegalese society and culture.

Additionally, students with sufficient language ability in French may enroll in a wide variety of courses in the social sciences and humanities such as Arabic, other African languages, Islamic studies, Sociology, Philosophy, History, or Geography through the Faculté des Lettres et Sciences Humaines at UCAD. Senegalese instructors will teach all courses in French. Due to the possibility of course interruptions, it is recommended that students take no more than one UCAD course. 

Transcripts will be issued directly from Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD).  Therefore, participants must ensure that their home institution will accept credits from UCAD in order to receive transfer credit upon completion of the program.  Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of twelve (12) semester credits consisting of four core courses.

Students may also want to better familiarize themselves with realities in a developing country through internships. Dakar has many NGOs and other international agencies specializing in development initiatives in areas as varied as education, health, the environment, gender, human rights, democracy etc. The local staff have many contacts among such NGOs and agencies and may be able to help students obtain an internship. Requests for internships are examined approximately one month after the students' arrival to allow for academic classes to be in full gear and cultural adjustment for the students.

This is a co-sponsored program. Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details see co-sponsored programs.

To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit Transfer MSU and Office of the Registrar - Co-Sponsored Study Abroad Programs. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher at the time of application and have at least junior status by January 2008.  Applicants must have a minimum of three semesters of college level French prior to participation – four semesters of French language is recommended.

Additionally, students must also submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

Study at UCAD will be an exciting adventure and challenge, but students must adequately prepare themselves in advance. The MSU Office of Study Abroad and the African Studies Center will offer extensive orientation.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will live with local families, with most meals provided. Host families are selected for the central location of their homes and for their interest in hosting a US student.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Safoi Babana-Hampton
Department of French, Classics and Italian
245 Old Horticulture Bldg.
Phone: (517) 432-8739 ext. 118
E-mail:

Deidre Dawson
Residential College in Arts and Humanities
C220C Snyder Hall
Phone: (517) 884-1931
E-mail: 

Cindy Felbeck Chalou
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-4345

Do I need a passport or visa?

A valid passport and visa are required for entry into Senegal.

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.  It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

Students participating in this program are strongly encouraged to receive a series of immunizations specific for travel within western Africa.  Students should schedule an appointment to be seen at a travel clinic at least three months before the program to inquire about the recommended and/or required vaccines to consider before departure.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee is $6,476 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations
• some meals
• tuition and fees / services
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• airfare
• additional meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee
• visa application fees
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

These additional costs are estimated at $4,700 (SS10).  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee. 

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadline to apply for these scholarships is October 15th for spring semester programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.