Living Routes Sustainable Development (Winter)

  Senegal

Dakar,  Yoff

Term: Winter 
Dates: December 28 - January 16

Description: Explore the impact of global trends and policies on sustainable development in western Africa, where ancient heritage is still intact to a degree rarely found elsewhere. Experience evolving models of community development in five Senegalese Ecovillages - communities from ancient to modern striving to create cooperative lifestyles in harmony with their local environment.

In addition to classes and seminars, each U.S. student will partner with a Senegalese university student fto learn participatory research methods to engage Senegalese villagers in assessing needs and developing plans for imporving their quality of life. Students will travel to several culturally-intact villages and carry out brief field projects. You build your French language skills as you study the complex relationship between humans, development needs, and the environment.

Highlights: Be Part of the Solution! Food and oil prices are rising in Senegal and across the world. This January Term in Sustainable International Development invites you to join forces with the SEM-fund microcredit team of the Senegal branch of the Global Ecovillage Network, GEN Senegal. After training in this work, you willI visit villages in small student teams, engage with villagers on several of the types of projects most likely to increase their purchasing power while preserving their environment, and assist them as clerical staff as they prepare their loan requests. Back at Yoff, you will present your recommendations to the microcredit loan committee who will award one micro-loan per village.

Learn about and experience sustainability. Gain valuable experience in sustainable development. Opportunities to learn about cloth dying, fish drying, permaculture/ urban agriculture, migratory birds, gazelles and chimpanzees. Course topics are based on Culture and Spirituality; Education and Training; Economy and Food Security; Population, Health and Nutrition; and Environment, Infrastructure and Habitat. 4 credits through UMASS Amherst.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: 2,800

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Senegal in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 8 to 15

Scholarships are Available. need-based scholarships through Living Routes and federal financial aid applies.

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Written Application