Hello, everyone! My name is Annelise and I’m studying abroad in Senegal this May through the Research and Culture in Senegal program. In addition to my molecular biology major, I am doing a certificate in global health. Through my global health classes, we’ve talked a lot about health and sociology on other continents, particularly on the African continent. Besides the health side, I don’t know much more about Africa beyond the limited and oftentimes biased portrayals I see through American media. I chose this program so I could see firsthand many aspects of a specific African country at once to give myself a more detailed and nuanced view on what life here is like. I was also interested in doing an independent research program, which is another reason I chose to do this.

My initials expectations are rather lacking. Between a desire to go in without preconceived notions and a lack of time outside of my spring semester classes, I haven’t done much deeper research about Senegal at all. I’m expecting, and frankly envisioning, not much at all. Because of this, I have questions about everything. What do things look like there? How do people get around? What is the language split between Wolof and French?

From this experience, I hope to gain both better independent problem-solving and and research skills as well as better cultural understanding. I want to be able to plan, research, and put together a presentation of my research, and present it at various opportunities as I see that being a good way to get experience for the jobs I’m interested in in the future. On cultural understanding, I want to be able to have a more intimate understanding of what life in an African country is like.