Kalamazoo College: Center for International Programs

Name of Program: Undergraduate Studies in Sénégal

Location: Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Sénégal

Sponsoring Institution: Kalamazoo College

Dates: Long Term: mid-September to February;
            Extended Term: mid-September to June (Extended-Term program only available to declared
            foreign language majors with endorsement/approval of department.)

Language of Instruction: French

Eligibility Requirements:
Class: Junior or senior standing at the time of participation. Preference is given to students with a demonstrated interest (e.g. courses and co-curricular activities) in African Studies.

GPA: 2.7 overall

Language: Proficiency in French equivalent to the completion of two years of College-level French. Preference is given to students with a demonstrated interest (e.g. courses and extracurricular activities) in African Studies.

Applications Deadline: February 1

Academics
The study program in Sénégal is designed for students who have the academic ability and language training to do university work completely in French and the personal maturity to function in a society quite different from their own. Participants are typically enrolled as regular students at l'Université Cheikh Anta Diop, and are permitted to take regular University courses. One unit may come from courses successfully completed at the Institut Francais pour les Étudiants Étrangers (IFEE) at UCAD. IFEE subject areas include French Grammar, French Composition, and Francophone Literature. Students typically choose courses offered by the Faculté des Sciences et Lettres Humaines, but courses in other disciplines as well as courses offered at ACI by other US Programs are also available.

Long-Term Program Summary (Total of 6 K-Units of Credit)

Extended-Term Program Summary (Total of 9 K-Units of credit)

The program begins with the "Expanded Orientation Activities" organized and administered by Africa Consultants International (ACI). The orientation includes a university tour and an exploration of academic and research resources in Dakar.

The Integrative Cultural Research Project (ICRP) can be either a research project or an unpaid internship that explores the global issues and the local circumstances, approaches, and solutions. Students who complete internships are typically placed in relief organizations, international agencies, women's groups, small businesses or non-governmental organizations. The research or internship will result in a major paper (10-15 pages). All ICRPs are completed in the greater Dakar area. The paper is due and must be turned in to the Resident Director before the end of the academic program or no credit will be awarded.

Credits & Grades
Long-term participants must enroll in the equivalent of 6 K units of credit. Extended-term participants must enroll in the equivalent of 9 K units of credit. One K unit equals 5-quarter hours or 3.33 semester hours. In order to be counted as one K-Unit of credit, a course must have 40-45 contact hours. If two or more courses are combined to reach the 40 contact hour minimum, all courses must be from the same subject area (i.e. history with history, art with art). Student may not underload or overload.

Students must earn the equivalent of a "C" in the local grading systmen to receive credit for a course work. Grades from all study abroad courses are recorded on an official Kalamazoo College transcript and expressed as "K units of credit". The transcript lists the titles of courses, the appropriate disciplines and the translation of the local grades into the Kalamazoo "A, B, C" grading system. Along with the transcript, the registrar at the home institution of each participant will receive instructions for converting K units to the home institution's credit system.

In the event the UCAD should close for a significant period of time, students will take courses at the IFEE (which typically remains open) and Kalamazoo College will organize independent academic courses. The program at Africa Consultants International will remain as indicated. In the unlikely event that the IFEE should close as well, students would do BOTH and independent culture project AND an internship and receive additional work and credit in Wolof.

Housing
Students live with homestay families selected by the Resident Director. Nearly all meals are taken with the family.

Contingency Plan
In the event the academic program at the host institution should be disrupted for a significant period of time, Kalamazoo College, in collaboration with local program staff, will organize appropriate educational experiences and tutorials.

Program Fees
Long-Term Program: $22,646; Extented-Term Program: $33,969

Program fees includes tuition and fees, food and housing while classes are in session, round-trip international airfare from the designated point of departure (typically New York), and some excursions. Program fees do not include medical expenses, the mandatory medical evacuation insurance, books, personal spending money, food or housing during vacation periods or after classes have ended, and independent travel.

This document contains the most accurate information available at the time of publication. Statements contained herein are not contractual obligations, and verbal or other representations that are inconsistent with or not contained within the Academic Catalogue's offerings or policies are not binding. Kalamazoo College and the Center for International Programs each reserves the right to cancel, suspend or change, without specific notice, programs, offerings, policies, procedures, qualifications, fees, and other conditions.

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