In the U.S. I was taught at a young age that “Sharing is caring” and that “It could be fun”, by my favorite PBS show. However, our concept of sharing and the things that are acceptable to share are different than those in Senegal. For example, in my dorm room refrigerator, for example, items that I bought or placed in the fridge are for myself only. This is typically understood without even discussing it with other floor or suitemates. I have the option of sharing but it’s not a pressing obligation. I found that this privatization of items like food is completely foreign to Senegalese culture. Food on the table or food in the refrigerator is basically for all who enter that house. Instead of focusing on the separation between ‘mine’ and ‘yours’ there is a keener focus on ‘our’. For both of my homestays, my family made it clear that anytime I wanted to eat or wanted something to drink all I had to do was get it, or ask someone in the family for it. They did not want me to worry about who purchased it or who it was meant for. It didn’t matter. And if there wasn’t anything of substance in the house, or neighbor’s’ refrigerator became ours as well! This went both ways, however. I could not enter the house with some chocolaty treats, or jewelry purchases from the market without giving something to my sisters or mother. Just as giving is important, so too is receiving. The culture of reciprocity is strong in Senegal and it reinforces a strong sense of community. I found this to be true in both the big city (Dakar) and the small town/village (Fatick).
Category Archives: Useful tidbits (Senegal)
What I Wish I Had Known
What I wish I had known before going to Senegal:
- Bring photographs of your life back home because friends and family you meet will like seeing it to gain a better understanding of who you are. I was constantly asked about my family and Alabama and I had very little to show!
- Bring or send a meaningful gift (which does not have to be expensive) to your host family, if staying with a host family. I brought t-shirts for the family from my hometown, but other students brought framed photographs of their hometown and some brought artwork that they particularly liked.
- It will not be difficult to make friends with people from the country that you are visiting. Even if you may have trouble with the language of your host country, a lot of young people (no matter the country) learn some English in secondary school or college and like practicing it (often while talking about American trends and politics) with their new American friend (I was nervous about this before going!)
- For the women: expect to be hit on from men, young and old, especially because you are American. It can get annoying, but it can also be a fun way to make friends and discover the city.
- Bring money to travel: while it will probably be far less expensive than taking a trip in the United States you should be prepared to pay for a hotel, transportation, and food for about a week (most programs give you at least a week off for either spring or winter break). It can add up. (But don’t let it deter you. Traveling in your host country can provide some of your richest experiences abroad.)
- If staying with a host family, make sure to spend time with them. It can get difficult as you make more friends, take classes, go out- but maintaining a good connection with your host families can prevent bumps along the way. If your family has a tradition of watching ridiculously melodramatic Indian soap operas Wednesday nights (as mine did) join in, make it a habit too.