What are the goals of the trip? We aim to offer a unique and transformational French language immersion experience. Throughout the trip, French language educators will gain an increased cultural, historical, and contemporary understanding of Senegal. The trip will focus on various topics such as education, literature, history, world cultural heritage sites, environment, global issues, and more. Participants will have various opportunities to interact 1-1 and in small groups with Senegalese students, educators, writers, researchers, artists, griots, and families.
Who can join this program? Participants should be current, past, or retired French language educators. Those who pay deposits and submit completed applications and paperwork may be approved to travel with us. We will maintain a waitlist for any interested candidates in case a spot becomes available.
Is Senegal safe? According to the US State Department, the current advisory level is 1 (exercise normal precautions) as of 04/06/25. This is the lowest level.
What will it cost? See the details of each Program to see costs. Once in Senegal, you only need money for personal snacks and souvenirs. Program costs include the following expenses during the travel dates of the Program:
* All lodging in country, in double rooms (infrequently triples) with your own bed
* All meals in country and one soft drink or juice per meal
* All transportation in country
* All event entrance fees and guide fees in country
How do I exchange into CFA for personal purchases? Participants can pre-order CFA through Vive a month prior to departure and you will receive it upon arrival in Senegal. You bring your new $100 & $50 bills to Senegal for the exchange. We recommend bringing some additional USD in addition to ATM cards in case you need more cash. Infrequently, credit cards could be used for purchases in a store, but typically cash is required. Typically $200-$300 is sufficient for souvenirs.
What do I need to know re paperwork to enter Senegal? See this link from the US State Department for passport, entry requirements, and safety information.
What health concerns should I be aware of? According to the US CDC, the current health advisory alert level is 2 (practice enhanced cautions) due to circulating poliovirus. You should have proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination (good for life), take antimalarial medicine, and have all regular vaccinations up-to-date as well as others as recommended by your doctor, the CDC, or a travel clinic. Anyone with peanut allergies is discouraged from applying. Other known anaphylactic issues or other serious health issues should be discussed with your doctor. Food allergies, sensitivities, or preferences may be difficult to accommodate. Insect repellent and long-sleeves are recommended to avoid mosquito bites.
Can I drink alcohol during the trip? What drugs are legal? Participants should abstain from drinking alcohol. Marijuana is not legal in Senegal. Other prescription drugs are permitted in original packaging.
Is there religious tolerance in Senegal? Senegal is around 95% Muslim, 3% Catholic and 2% animist. In general, Muslim brotherhoods are tolerant of others with different religions.
What should one know about LGBTQ+ travel in Senegal? As per the US State Department under Safety and Security “same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in Senegal. LGBTI individuals routinely face discrimination. Under Article 319 of the Senegalese criminal code, “unnatural acts” are punishable by imprisonment of one to five years and a fine of F CFA 1,000,000 (USD $2,000).”
What sort of insurance do I need? Participants must purchase their own travel and medical evacuation insurance, including Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) whenever possible for the dates of the Program. Note that some insurance companies require signing up for CFAR policies promptly after your first program payment. Contact your insurance company for more information.
What safety measures will be taken during the trip? We will have Trip Leaders and/or local Senegalese guide(s) with us 24/7. U.S. citizens should register at the US Embassy in Dakar through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for alerts and updates. We will practice safe eating and drinking habits and will talk about sanitation, health, and hygiene prior to departure. We will travel in a private vehicle solely for our use, avoiding nighttime travel; when on foot, we will always be in pairs or a group and will focus on being aware of our surroundings. Our local guides and Trip Leaders will have phones for emergencies. We do not recommend jogging in Dakar but we can try to find appropriate locations elsewhere.
How much time will I spend outside? A lot! We will be doing outdoor activities on a daily basis. We will visit UNESCO World Heritage sites of Senegal on our visit as well as several other proposed sites. We may also explore local markets, natural reserves for birds & animals and mangroves. We will spend time in our bus, but we will also spend time in pirogues (canoe-like boats), on a 30-minute ferry from Dakar to Gorée, and perhaps a horse cart (calèche). You may have the opportunity to swim in hotel pools and in the Atlantic Ocean. We will be walking a lot as well. Sunscreen, hats, reusable water bottles & insect repellent will be essential.
What about wifi and charging electronics? International phone plans may be very pricey. Sometimes wifi access may be limited to our lodgings in the evening, which may be unreliable. We recommend bringing a notebook, phone/small camera, and French-style (types C & E) adapters for the electrical outlets. You recommend you leave laptop computers at home. Sometimes there are power surges and electrical outages, so consider using a European surge protector. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
What can I wear/pack? Every participant should only bring one small to medium suitcase and one smaller backpack, and avoid valuables. With temperatures in the 80s-90s and high humidity during summer trips, lightweight, long cotton or linen pants, or long skirts/dresses are recommended. Clothes should be tidy and without holes, and knee-length or longer, except at beaches or poolside. We will try to have some clothes tailor-made during the trip. You may need a lightweight sweater for cooler nights or in locations with more air-conditioning, though Senegalese AC is typically not as cold as in the USA, nor Europe. A specific packing list will be provided to Participants closer to departure. You can hand wash some clothes as needed. We will try to have laundry done once about halfway through the trip.
What sort of documents will I need? A valid passport six months beyond our return date with at least two blank pages will be required. Be sure that you can leave and re-enter the USA on your passport. You may need a Yellow Fever Certificate as proof to enter Senegal. Currently, US citizens do not need special tourist visas to enter the country.
What special preparation and resources will Vive provide prior to departure? Vive offers free pre-departure meetings to help you prepare for your trip, focusing not just on logistics, but also cultural and linguistic information to help you get the most out of your trip.