Educational Enrichment, Digital Learning, and Documenting the Shared History between America and West Africa – 2025

Overview

During their two-month engagement in Senegal, students will focus on educational empowerment for adult learners in Dakar. Their roles will encompass teaching English, facilitating digital learning, and working closely with the community to pinpoint a range of developmental challenges linked to educational opportunities for French-educated learners.

Participants will also dedicate their time exploring and documenting historical sites and immersing themselves in local narratives. Through their interactions with communities, they will not only acquire language skills but also gain insights into the role of music and Sufism in oral culture and a deeper understanding of the socio-economic issues prevalent in their surroundings.

The primary objective of this program is to harness the potential arising from Senegal’s rich history, its educated youth, and its diverse social networks. However, these opportunities are frequently constrained by the lack of access to leading universities and global markets where English serves as the predominant medium of communication.

Senegal holds a special place with its vibrant democracy, thriving associational life, and historical significance in the Atlantic slave trade. A significant percentage of the enslaved individuals brought to the Americas originated from the Senegambian region. Today, there exists a collective memory of the slave trade, preserved through historical sites and narratives that bridge the gap between Africa and America. Additionally, the program aims to identify community assets within Senegal’s evolving social landscape that can play a significant role in addressing the challenges associated with developmental issues.

This program was established in collaboration with both West African Research Center (WARC) and Institut Islamique de Dakar (IID). It also includes students from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. The inclusion of diverse groups and networks is intentional, as stakeholders recognize that when diverse groups, resources, and innovative ideas come together, they have the potential to generate remarkable outcomes and lasting benefits for local communities.

Community Partnerships

The West African Research Center (WARC) is the overseas research center for the West African Research Association (WARA), located in Dakar. WARC is a center for academic exchange between American and West African scholars that encourages research on the region. Institut Islamique de Dakar (IID) is a public institution under the Ministry of National Education, comprising the General Directorate, the Research Department, the Publishing and Documentation Department, and the Teaching Department. Additionally, it serves as a boarding school for high school student. The student project will consist of providing comprehensive English and digital literacy instruction for students and adult learners largely selected by WARC & IID from local universities and education institutions in Dakar. Concurrently, our program will address the underlying issues that contribute to migration from the West African region.

Additionally, our group will embark on a journey of exploration and documentation, delving into historical sites and the rich tapestry of the Atlantic world and memories of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in Senegal. Our collective efforts will be dedicated to the collection and documentation of the invaluable legacy stemming from the interconnected history shared between America and West Africa. Senegal, with its various sites of memories for the Atlantic slave trade and central role in pioneering French West African culture during the colonial era, is crucial for understanding the complex history of West Africa and the rich connections between America and Africa. While engaging this vibrant community, DukeEngagers will immerse themselves in the Discovering the Atlantic Connections component of the program. This entails learning the Wolof language and documenting the history of the Atlantic slave trade in Senegal by visiting sites of historical, cultural and religious memories around the country.

Program Requirements

Language: There are no language prerequisites. Students will be taking “survival Wolof” language upon arrival and will continue to learn the language during their eight-week stay in Senegal.

Personal Qualities: Demonstrating approachability, unwavering commitment to excellence, and a humble disposition. Any Duke student who is passionate about promoting education and cultural exchange globally can apply to this program.

In preparation for the journey, we will schedule a series of pre-departure meetings and provide assigned readings for the group ahead of their arrival in Dakar.

Logistics

Housing, meals, and transportation: Accommodation for participants will include apartments and/or homestays. Students will have the option to either purchase their own food and prepare it or have it provided by their host families if they choose the homestay option. Transportation to their work placements will be facilitated either through taxi services or pre-arranged transportation.

Local safety, security, and cultural norms: We encourage students who have questions or concerns about health or safety in international programs to check Duke’s International SOS (ISOS) portal for relevant information. If you have special needs related to health, culture, disability, or religious practices, please contact the program director(s) or the DukeEngage office to discuss whether your needs can be accommodated in this program.

For guidance on how race, religion, sexual/gender identity, ability, or other aspects of identity might impact your travels, we suggest exploring the Diversity, Identity and Global Travel section of the DukeEngage website.

Academic Connections

This program welcomes participants from diverse backgrounds and may particularly resonate with students who have an interest in developmental challenges, cross-cultural exploration and African affairs.

It is equally relevant to those pursuing studies in fields such as International Comparative Studies, Public Policy, African and African American Studies, and Computer Science. Senegal is renowned for its diverse Sufi groups, which also serve as a captivating subject of study for students of religion.

Students who engage in this program may subsequently explore interests in innovation, entrepreneurship, or careers in both the public and private sectors. This program is designed to assist students in discovering their passion and professional inclinations within the field of developmental studies.