The 411

Bonjour mes amis! I am starting a blog. It’s a travelogue–sort of–because I’’m starting it as I travel, but who knows! Among other things (memories, insights, dirty laundry, postcards I’ll forget to send, etc.) I will probably take it home with me.

This first post is quite logistic. Where I am! Who I’m with! And the like. I know many of my loved ones are confused. So am I. On y va!

This semester I am studying abroad in Dakar, Senegal. Dakar is a coastal city in West Africa. They speak Wolof and French and they really like to eat fish. If you like to eat fish and you speak Wolof or French you should maybe visit this city. Because they really like to do both of those things a lot.

Alors, I am staying with a host family and studying as part of CIEE’s Development Studies Practicum. It is a small language immersion program, with only about 45 other students.

My family lives in Sacrè Coeur Trois, a neighborhood located in cental Dakar. I live with a grandmother (Mère Tall), her brother, and her two granddaughters, both of which are around my age. Family life is quite fluid here, however, so there are many familiar faces.

I got here 10 days ago. Last week was orientation and today was the first day of classes. I am taking Wolof, environmental studies, African democracy, and a French class. In addition, I will start an internship at a local women’s rights organization (Réseau Siggil Jigéen) shortly. 

My days so far, like my head and my heart, have been filled to the brim with love and laughter. I don’t really have a plan for this blog. I’m going to post photos as I take them and write as I please. I may post lists or poems or letters or logs. I’ll post music I hear and moments I feel. 

Stay tuned

Bisous xx