During my study abroad trip, I filmed a documentary about a boat painter living on the Yoff coast in Dakar. It was for this reason that UI actually chose to study in Senegal, as the Frederick Honors College Research and Culture in Senegal Program was very excited about my proposal when I came to them in early December. Documentary film is all about connecting with people and making absolutely sure that their story will be respected and understood. This was the first time in my fledgling career that I was directing an international documentary, and so it was my first time speaking to a participant through a translator. I think the act of speaking with someone through a translator is a skill that takes a lot of practice to master; however, I felt that by the end of the production, Birame and I had forged a worthwhile connection. The film allowed us to delve into very personal topics, his political beliefs, and the meaning of his art. I made it a priority to take my afternoon Wolof classes seriously after each morning shoot was over, and I would always practice my Wolof the next day when on location. I found that speaking to people in Wolof was a much more connecting language than the colonial French, and through building my vocabulary, I was able to communicate smaller ideas on my own. 

I would recommend that in order to build a true connection, striving for humility at all times is essential. As tourists or even students studying abroad, we are guests and must act like it. Put genuine effort into meeting people where they are rather than expect them to accommodate you, whether in your native language or even in the colonial Lingua Franca. This experience taught me to always bring with me a list of phrases that I have found helpful on previous trips, and to always make an effort to communicate in the most personal language of the person I am speaking with.