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BU, Far Afield: Drums of Dakar

A four-part series about studying abroad

More than 1,500 Boston University students study abroad each year, heading to places like Sydney, Australia, where they work as journalists, Israel, to study engineering, or Ecuador, to research tropical ecology. And the opportunities don’t end with the academic year — as soon as Commencement is over in May, summer internships, intensive language programs, and research trips begin in 11 countries around the world.

This week, BU Today looks at four of the University’s study-abroad programs. Check back tomorrow for “Caring, Internationally: Geneva Program Focuses on Humanitarian Careers.”

Drums of Dakar: Six Weeks in Senegal

The Senegalese Study Program, offered by BU’s Division of International Programs, is based in the capital city of Dakar, a city famous for its music, literature, and film, and home to some of Africa’s most famous contemporary writers and artists.

The program offers courses in Senegalese drumming and dance, literature and film, and Wolof, the most widely spoken language in Dakar. Last year’s participants had the opportunity to meet several of the writers and musicians they were studying and to visit some of the locations featured in films. Excursions outside of Dakar took students to historic sites such as the slave trade departure hub of Gorée Island and San Luis, one of the initial entry points of French colonization.

While course work is an important part of the program, learning outside the classroom is often a more profound experience. Each student lives with a host family, sharing meals and evening entertainment. It’s not unusual to live in a home with 10 or more family members, who can speak as many as four languages.

“Drums of Dakar” originally appeared on BU Today in December 2006.

Paul Heerlein can be reached at heerlein@bu.edu.

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