Projects Abroad Internships in Senegal

Name: Projects Abroad Internships in Senegal
Brand: Projects Abroad
SKU: 166135
Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)

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4.50 Rating

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Location

Senegal

Length

1 to 52 weeks

Industry

Business Economics Finance Human Rights Law Nursing Startups

Health & Safety

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Program Details

Timeframe

Fall J-Term Maymester Spring Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round

Housing

Host Family

Language

English

Age Min.

Pricing

Starting Price

2470

What's Included

Accommodation Some Accommodation Airport Transfers Meals Travel Insurance

What's Not Included

Airfare Visa

Last Updated: Mar 25, 2020

Last Reviewed: Nov 04, 2019

Wish List

3 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Get some hands-on experience in a developing community in Senegal! Projects Abroad offers internship opportunities available for students on all levels. We have Microfinance programs as well as Law & Human Rights internships! Visit our website for more details.

This program is no longer offered. View more programs from Projects Abroad.

Video and Photos

Projects Abroad intern in Microfinance project in Senegal

Impact

Sustainability

Travel with purpose! Projects Abroad champions responsible adventures, connecting you with communities through low-impact volunteer work. Ditch tourist traps, build rainforests, empower children, safeguard wildlife, and much more. Make meaningful journeys that leave a lasting positive impact - explore sustainable travel and become a global changemaker today!

Visit our website to learn more about our pioneering approach to sustainability.

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Ethical Impact

Join Projects Abroad, a force for good connecting volunteers with communities. Build green futures, fight inequality, and empower locals on impactful adventures.

Visit our website to learn more about our impact worldwide.

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Popular Programs

Micro-finance Internship in Senegal

Help adults who have lived on the street build sustainable businesses and gain financial independence.

Human Rights Internship in Senegal

Gain practical human rights work experience while promoting human rights and social justice in West Africa

Program Reviews

4.50 Rating

based on 2 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Intern

5 rating 50%
4 rating 50%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Growth 4.5
Support 5
Fun 4.5
Housing 4.5
Safety 5

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews

I learned so much in my three and a half months in Senegal doing microfinance work. Saint Louis is a very nice city by Senegal standards and the program staff were absolutely wonderful. The food is good and they do a good job of giving you meaningful tasks and showing you what life is really like for the people you work with. Go out and explore the beautiful opportunities available and you will have a great time. The food is a bit bland and repetitive but is a good insight into how people live in Senegal every day. My cohort's host families were nice and we developed good relationships over our time there. I would recommend this program for college aged students who are interested in post-colonial Africa and want to experience how the majority of people live in the global south.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

There is a dish called Mafe, a peanut sauce with meat over rice. When I first came, my stomach could not handle it, but by the end it was one of my favorite dishes.

A group of volunteers learning how to play drums.

Visit to the holy city of Touba where one of the largest mosques in Africa is located.

Response from

Hello Sean,
Thanks for leaving your review about our Micro-Finance project in Senegal. It’s warming to hear about your story, what an experience you’ve had – I’m sure you’ll remember it for a lifetime! You are most welcome to volunteer or Intern with us in the future.

Moctar Ba, Country Director for Senegal

By Projects Abroad on November 25, 2019

Read my full story

I had a wonderful time with Projects Abroad in Senegal. The only reason I didn't rate it 100% across the board is because I didn't want to be too biased. I went to Senegal to take a French class for 4 weeks. When I went there, I had just finished the third semester of French at University and would be starting my fourth semester of French after visiting Senegal for 5 weeks (1 week vacation to explore Dakar after 4 weeks of classes). When I returned to the US, even my French professor noted my significant change in comprehension of the language. The professor I had in Senegal pushed me and challenged me. We would meet in a local high school and either use the teacher's lounge or an empty classroom. I learned so much about French and Senegal (culture, history, society, everything) from him and my host family, it was wonderful. Also, the mix of volunteers from countries, more than just the US, was great as well. Senegal is a warm and welcoming country and Projects-Abroad does a great job with volunteers. I've traveled before and felt comfortable stepping into this situation, but if it had been my first time overseas, I would have felt very safe. The staff was always available and they were very welcoming and accommodating with everything.

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because it was a high-quality internship related to business, which was my field of study. I had heard of other people using them and I knew that I would be well taken care of in Senegal. The program staff were dedicated to their work and ensuring all the details of my arrival and stay were taken care of for me.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

One of the reasons I chose this program was because it was an all-inclusive program. Meals were provided at the host family where I lived, the transport was covered and reimbursed for work travel. Water was always provided in generous amounts (because you cannot drink the water there) and the staff was always close in you needed them. The only things I had to organize on my own were vacation/fun travel trips, but even then the staff was able to provide suggestions and guides at good prices.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Go into it with an open mind and the desire to bring change to these people. It is a guided internship, meaning you are given daily and weekly tasks, but it is your creativity and ingenuity that will take you far.

People are often attached to what has worked in the past and risk avoidance is high for understandable reasons. Create new ideas with your partners and forge a new path.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

I was in the microfinance internship, so my activities revolved around that.

I taught basic business, math, and accounting classes to different groups of beneficiaries several days a week. We made site visits to potential locations of businesses. I spent a good amount of time making business plans and doing market research. There is also loan recollection where you travel to pick up repayments. Weekends are free and were spent playing card games with other interns.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I guess my biggest fear was not being able to communicate well with people and have them understand that I was there to help, not use them (due to some issues with Senegal's colonial past). I overcame it simply by communicating, even when the language barrier was tough.

By talking with more people, I was able to understand their point of view and they were able to see how we cared for them and were trying our best to help them help themselves.

How does one haggle prices for different items?

Haggling in Saint Louis was a social interaction, i.e. you would haggle down just a little, even if you were fine with the price to show interest in the other person.

First, ask others at what price they have bought certain items. This will give you a starting point. Then, go big or go home. If your price is too close to the one they suggest, they will just insist you pay the $0.30 more. Be bold but also be willing to accept a good price for a good item.

About Projects Abroad

Ignite your potential with Projects Abroad! Tired of the classroom grind? Break free and unleash your power with Projects Abroad! Since 1992, we've helped adventurers like you trade textbooks for turtle conservation or chalkboards for child care. Forget generic vacations - dive headfirst into meaningful experiences that will transform your world...