"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
-- Nelson Mandela
-- Nelson Mandela
I was accepted into the Teachers for Global Classrooms program in June 2015, and after a rigorous online class in fall 2015, I traveled to Senegal, West Africa in April 2016. Senegal is a vibrant, bustling place. People speak a multitude of languages-- the ones I encountered most were French, Wolof, and Pulaar, but there are many others as well. Senegal is a beautiful mix of city, countryside, baobabs, and oceanfront. Senegal is known as "The Land of Teranga," which essentially means the "Land of Hospitality" and boy, do they mean it. The people of Senegal were openly friendly, helpful, and welcoming. They are tolerant and smart, funny and truly ingratiating. I can honestly say that of all my travels, the Senegalese people are some of my favorite in-country companions.
I spent time in the capital city of Dakar, learning about Senegalese history, the Senegalese school system, and meeting the most interesting people from the Ministry of Education. We visited the US Embassy, went to Lac Rose (a pink lake!), and saw beautiful scenery. My host teacher and school were located in Saint-Louis (pronounced: Sahn-Loo-ee), which is a smaller city than Dakar. The part I stayed in was on an island just off the continent, a felt like a small town. Again, teranga made me feel so at home here. In Saint-Louis, I visited schools, met some amazing students and teachers, and strolled around the charming streets. I learned so much from both my time in the school, and wandering asking questions. My host teacher and a Fulbright fellow from my host teacher's school patiently answered every question I had, no matter how off the wall or repetitive.
I would be remiss in talking about my time in Senegal without mentioning the food. Ohhh, the food. Breakfast is always a wonderful affair, with lots of cheese, bread, fruit, and coffee. The traditional foods I had included chicken yassa (chicken with a stew of onions), thieboudienne (rice with sauce and fish), cous cous (made with millet and delicious sauce), beignets (little sugar doughnut holes), and something that I cannot remember the name of which was essentially a baguette with tuna and french fries (that reminded me of my time at Primanti Bros. in Pittsburgh!). All delicious, all amazing, all wonderful foods. However, the thing about food there is that when you eat, it is about so much more than the food. My host teacher would bring me and my partner teacher, Tyler, a tuna baguette and some touba coffee (rich coffee made with cloves) in between classes to make sure we were comfortable and well-fed. The dinners we had with our host families and teachers on the floor, chatting, and sharing will never leave my memory.
I spent time in the capital city of Dakar, learning about Senegalese history, the Senegalese school system, and meeting the most interesting people from the Ministry of Education. We visited the US Embassy, went to Lac Rose (a pink lake!), and saw beautiful scenery. My host teacher and school were located in Saint-Louis (pronounced: Sahn-Loo-ee), which is a smaller city than Dakar. The part I stayed in was on an island just off the continent, a felt like a small town. Again, teranga made me feel so at home here. In Saint-Louis, I visited schools, met some amazing students and teachers, and strolled around the charming streets. I learned so much from both my time in the school, and wandering asking questions. My host teacher and a Fulbright fellow from my host teacher's school patiently answered every question I had, no matter how off the wall or repetitive.
I would be remiss in talking about my time in Senegal without mentioning the food. Ohhh, the food. Breakfast is always a wonderful affair, with lots of cheese, bread, fruit, and coffee. The traditional foods I had included chicken yassa (chicken with a stew of onions), thieboudienne (rice with sauce and fish), cous cous (made with millet and delicious sauce), beignets (little sugar doughnut holes), and something that I cannot remember the name of which was essentially a baguette with tuna and french fries (that reminded me of my time at Primanti Bros. in Pittsburgh!). All delicious, all amazing, all wonderful foods. However, the thing about food there is that when you eat, it is about so much more than the food. My host teacher would bring me and my partner teacher, Tyler, a tuna baguette and some touba coffee (rich coffee made with cloves) in between classes to make sure we were comfortable and well-fed. The dinners we had with our host families and teachers on the floor, chatting, and sharing will never leave my memory.
If you are interested in learning more about Senegal or my personal International Field Experience, you can visit my blog at www.travelteachtell.weebly.com, or just click the button below!
The travel blog was a highlight of my Teachers for Global Classrooms experience. The task of making one was quite daunting at first, but once it was set up, I really enjoyed blogging about travel! I attribute this to various reasons. On other trips I have taken, it has been hard to recall food I ate, or things I did, or impressions I had. Writing a blog was a great way (especially because I love writing) for me to recall my experiences, and then reflect upon them. While writing, I made connections, relived great activities, and even got emotional in my memories sometimes! Another reason I really enjoyed blogging was because it was a way to involve my students! I set up the tone of my blog so hopefully my first graders will understand, enjoy, and be able to read it. I want them to know the world is theirs to explore as much as they like, and I hope my travels inspire them to try!
While in Senegal, the fellows were instructed to formulate a research question to help us guide our experience. Click the links below to find out about mine!