Intercultural Dimensions
Crossing Cultures Senegal, West Africa Program
Intercultural Dimensions ©2009, info@interculturaldimensions.org, telephone: 617-864-8442
Margaret, South Salem, New York
Africa filled many needs I've had since I was in my twenties. For me it was sort of a mini Peace Corps experience. We furnished food wherever we went and brought modems to the hospitals. Living in compounds in the homes of teachers provided the opportunity to dialogue with everyone; teachers, scholars, children, women who were mobilizing the society, mayors, healers, and fortune tellers. Wherever we went there was music. Despite the poverty and lack of opportunity for the young people, we witnessed joy, family love, solidarity, and friendship in the true sense of the word.
In many ways my French classes have been enhanced by my experiences in West Africa. Upon returning, I was able to set up a literary e-mail exchange with a Senegalese village. My students were astonished not only by the differences, but also by the similarities that exist in teenagers from the USA and Senegal. We have also connected with social studies classes in the study of the Muslim religion.
Although most of those in my group of participants had never traveled to a third world country, it was no problem because Janet and John anticipated our every need during the trip. ID is unique in that Janet and John make an effort to tailor the trip to the individual needs of the participants. This contributed to the richness of everyone's experience. It is the chance of a lifetime.
Margaret, center