Hamline - Universite Gaston Berger, Senegal (UGB) - Bilateral Exchange

Studying at the Universite Gaston Berger in St. Louis, Senegal allows students from Hamline University to directly enroll in courses at the university, which means the student must be linguistically competent in French. The Hamline student will be housed and given a monthly stipend to cover food and some other expenses.  Financial aid will work with students to make sure that airfare, books and personal exspenses are covered for the semester abroad.  Hamline has outstanding health and accident insurance (AIG) for all students.  Students will be charged for room (single) and board (14-meal plan) on their Hamline account.  Because of Hamline's bilateral relationship with the Universite Gaston Berger, this program costs much less than comparable programs in Senegal.  If you are interested in applying for a semester or year-long experience at the Universite Gaston Berger, stop by the Office of Off-Campus Programs to get a Hamline semester/year-long study abroad application.

Saint Louis, Senegal   A Program of Hamline University 

Semesters of Study Students can study for spring semester only-February to July, or they can go for a full academic year -November to July.  It is not possible to study for fall or only.	The Location St. Louis is a historic French colonial city near the Senegal River.  In the late 19th Century, after centuries of French presence, it served as the point of departure for the French colonial conquest of West Africa, and then as capital of L’Afrique Occidentale Francaise until shortly before Senegal’s independence in 1960.  Today it is a lively African town with a bustling marketplace and an annual international jazz festival. The University Gaston Berger celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2001.  Located on a spacious campus 14 kilometers from the center of town, the Sahelian architectural style blends into the landscape.  2,000 students study at the university.	Organized Travel/Excursions Students will have three excursions during the semester: 1. An orientation tour and exploration of the city of Saint Louis, ending at Cape Saint Louis for an overnight beach stay. 2. A day at Djoudi, the second largest migratory bird site in the world. 3. Four days and three nights in Nokolokoba, a wild game refuge, including stops at historically significant mosques, temples, and churches along the way.
The Program This program will challenge the theoretical knowledge of the world that you have gained in the classroom and ask you to look at yourself and the world through a different lens.  In a city with relatively few American residents, you will enroll and be taught alongside Senegalese students and live with Senegalese students.  You will have an incredible opportunity to stretch beyond your comfort zone and engage yourself socially and academically in a least developed nation.  Confrontation with poverty, issues of development and “non-western” religion outside of the classroom will make this program a rich and valuable experience.  Program Orientation Online participation in Crossing Borders I, an orientation course for students going abroad that takes place during the semester prior to departure; upon arrival in Senegal, the Baobab Center and Africa Consultants International provides an extensive cultural and adjustment orientations.	Foreign Language or other course prerequisites Students should have at least two years of college level French, preferably with previous study in high school.	Degrees of Interaction with Citizens of Host County A study abroad experience at the University Gaston Berger is very much an emersion experience. Students will live with, study with, and work with Senegalese students.
Application Deadlines For Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 (academic year): April 1, 2008 For Spring 2009 only: November 1, 2008 To apply, contact: Kari Richtsmeier Hamline University (651) 523-2606 Krichtsmeier02@hamline.edu	Faculty Courses are taught by Senegalese faculty at the University Gaston Berger.    Internships Students may request assistance with internship placement at the time of application.  Past students have interned with a local radio station, volunteered at the city hospital, and translated didactics for the history museum of Saint Louis. Field Studies/Projects None are specifically built into the program, but they may be required by specific courses.	Living Arrangements Students are housed on campus, sharing apartments with Senegalese students.  Each apartment houses two students and has private bathroom facilities.  Cooking facilities are also available. Special Amenities or Unique Living Opportunities Living with Senegalese students will aid in cultural exchange and language acquisition.  It is not unusual for communal dancing and drumming to take place in the central yard, giving American students the opportunity to meet and get to know local students other than those they live with.
	University Gaston Berger Courses of Study Beginning Wolof Language Wolof, the local African language, is required study.  It is widely used in the market and makes local cultural more accessible to American students. Departmental Studies Most students take a variety of courses in various departments (3 disciplinary courses and Wolof).  Students may enroll in courses in the following departments.  A detailed course catalogue, in French, is available on request.  Contact Kari Richtsmeier 651-523-2606 krichtsmeier02@hamline.edu to receive a copy of the courses available in a specific department. African Literature French Literature Comparative Literature Economics Geography History Law Philosophy Political Science Sociology A Note About French Language French as a foreign language is not taught at the university, and most courses are taught in French, so it necessary for students to have at least intermediate French skills in order to study in Senegal.	Meals Students receive $100.00 per month, which more than covers the cost of food.  Meals are available in the cafeteria or restaurants, on campus and off, or students may shop and cook for themselves.   Preparations for Medical or Other Emergencies Students have a contact at the university, Dr. Abdoulaye Barry, who will always be available; and there is a hospital for students, faculty and staff located on the campus grounds.  Hamline University also maintains a close and friendly working relationship with the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, which can secure medications for students when needed.  Hamline’s director of off-campus programs.  Dr. Kari Richtsmeier, can also be reached twenty-four hours a day.
	A Note About Senegalese University Culture Social and institutional systems do not run the same in least-developed countries as they do in the United States.  Students who are flexible and can deal with a challenging organizational structure will grow a great deal through study in Senegal.  Students who have not traveled outside the United States before, or have expectations that organizational structures will be similar to those in the United States, may face difficulty. Every student who has gone on the program has had a deeply valuable experience, and it is not uncommon for them to return to Senegal in some capacity after college graduation, but if you are concerned about whether the program is right for you, contact Kari Richtsmeier 651-523-2606 krichtsmeier02@hamline.edu.