In Senegal, exciting programs for students, faculty, and professionals
September 18th, 2024 | Africa, 蜜桔视频 Study Abroad
In Senegal, 蜜桔视频鈥檚 is developing unique faculty-led programs utilizing 蜜桔视频鈥檚 experience and vast network in the country.
To best implement these programs, 蜜桔视频 hired Mouhamed Moriba Cissokho, a well-known activist, community organizer, and experienced program coordinator in Senegal. In the past several years, Cissokho has led several custom, faculty-led, and focusing on history, culture, business, and more.
The program examined youth empowerment through the unique lens of sport, culture, and history and had a lasting impact on everyone involved.
This past summer, 蜜桔视频 partnered with the University of Maryland (UMD)鈥檚 Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism to design programming for the Senegal portion of UMD鈥檚 custom program 鈥淣BA Africa.鈥� During their six days in Senegal, the student journalists explored the globalization of sport and the National Basketball Association's strategy to develop young talent on the African continent.
鈥淭he program examined youth empowerment through the unique lens of sport, culture, and history and had a lasting impact on everyone involved,鈥� said Cissokho.
The students first visited the in Saly, which nurtures young athletic talent while also providing educational opportunities for the athletes. The students met some of the most promising young athletes in the region and gained valuable insights into the rigorous training and discipline required to succeed at the highest levels of basketball. Students then worked with players and administrators to report on efforts on the continent.
The program also visited the , an organization that provides sports training and educational and leadership opportunities for youth from Senegal, The Gambia, and the United States. The students met former athletes who have dedicated their post-basketball careers to empowering African youth. Their stories of transition from professional sports to philanthropy illustrated the profound impact the skills learned through sports can have beyond the court.
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In the capital of Dakar, the program participants met officials from the Senegalese government and the U.S. Embassy. These meetings provided the students with a deeper understanding of the diplomatic and governmental efforts to promote sports and youth development in Senegal. The discussions highlighted the importance of international collaboration in fostering opportunities for young athletes and journalists.
The group also visited the journalist center at the and discussed journalism, social sciences, and media engineering with students and faculty.
To ensure the students learned about Senegalese history, the group visited the UNESCO World Heritage site Gor茅e Island. This place has a deeply poignant history as a key departure point during the transatlantic slave trade.
鈥淭he visit was a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of immense adversity,鈥� said Cissokho.
The program itinerary also included a visit to Dakar's famous Sandaga Market, providing a look into the vibrant local culture and commerce. The bustling market, with its array of goods and lively atmosphere, showcases the entrepreneurial spirit of the Senegalese people.
蜜桔视频 continues to run custom programs throughout the year in Senegal that bring together students from different backgrounds to learn, share experiences, and explore different practices and perspectives from a decolonial viewpoint.
In 2025, it will run a skills-based seminar for faculty and study abroad professionals interested in teaching or bringing students abroad as a part of 蜜桔视频鈥檚 portfolio. 鈥淐entering Decolonial Perspectives in Global Experiential Learning, Program Design, and Leadership鈥� will use Senegal as a case study. Applications are open now, with rolling admission. The final application deadline is April 13.