Category: research

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+ Africa, culture, Dakar, language, lookoutmywindow, research, study abroad, Sub-Saharan Africa, travel, West Africa, Wolof, women

A day in my Senegalese life

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After being here for almost a month, I realize that I have not talked much about my host family or what my experience living in Dakar has been like this year. The Baobab Center (or ACI, as many people now refer to it) arranged my homestay, just like WARC did for me last January. I did not receive the details about my family until … Read More A day in my Senegalese life

+ Africa, culture, Dakar, language, lookoutmywindow, research, study abroad, Sub-Saharan Africa, travel, West Africa, Wolof

A Weekend in Saint Louis/Ndar: Advice on getting there, getting back, and a few things in between

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This past weekend, my friends and I went to Saint Louis/Ndar in the northern part of Senegal to escape the hustle and bustle of Dakar. Saint Louis is also where Younnouss Seye, the artist I am looking for as part of my research, was born.  I heard lots of good things about Ndar: a coastal city, built at the same time the French colonizers … Read More A Weekend in Saint Louis/Ndar: Advice on getting there, getting back, and a few things in between

+ Africa, culture, Dakar, health, language, lookoutmywindow, research, study abroad, Sub-Saharan Africa, travel, West Africa, Wolof

Dama feebar – What happens when you’re sick in a foreign country

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I know that it has been almost a week since my last post. I was sick. Like, incredibly sick. As in, had to call a house-call doctor and explain in broken French, Wolof, and English how to get to my house using a map of Dakar in bed and hope for the best. When the doctor arrived, I had a temperature of 103.6 degrees … Read More Dama feebar – What happens when you’re sick in a foreign country

+ Africa, culture, Dakar, language, lookoutmywindow, research, study abroad, Sub-Saharan Africa, travel, West Africa, Wolof, women

Sonn naa – On Being a Transnational Researcher

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Today was one of those “researcher days.” I am tired. My feet definitely hurt. I did not eat enough food today (my teeth hurt too much to chew) or drink enough water (I’m sick of the taste). I still do not have regular access to the internet without being at the Baobab Center or Le Mermoz. And I also found a connection to Younouss … Read More Sonn naa – On Being a Transnational Researcher

+ Africa, culture, Dakar, funny, language, lookoutmywindow, research, study abroad, Sub-Saharan Africa, travel, West Africa, Wolof

Laundry with a Spiral Staircase

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I did my first load of laundry in my homestay today. According to the terms of my homestay for the Baobab Center, I am supposed to have laundry service once per week in my household. After a few confusing conversations with yaay, I still do not know which day the household does their laundry. Whoops. I was also told when I arrived in Dakar … Read More Laundry with a Spiral Staircase

+ Africa, culture, Dakar, fabric, funny, HLM, language, lookoutmywindow, market, research, study abroad, Sub-Saharan Africa, tailor, travel, West Africa, Wolof, women

Jend piis ci HLM – Glitter, fabric, and adventures at HLM

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Earlier this week, Emily, Sierra, and I went to the fabric market in Dakar called HLM. After our experience using Kaar Rappit with Mamaa to visit the boutique in Medina, we decided against taking a taxi. To give you an idea, going in a given direction on kaar rappit is 100CFA, taking a taxi is anwhere from 1000 – 3000 CFA depending on where … Read More Jend piis ci HLM – Glitter, fabric, and adventures at HLM

+ Africa, culture, Dakar, funny, language, lookoutmywindow, research, study abroad, Sub-Saharan Africa, travel, West Africa, Wolof

Seetsi benn film – How to see a movie in Senegal

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This first week in Dakar was filled with random adventures. It’s a long-ish post, so grab the popcorn! On Tuesday, Emily, Jessica, Avey, Sierra, and I all decided to see a free movie at a place called Hotel du Phare in les Mamelles. Their Facebook page lets you know which movie is showing, and it happens every Tuesday evening on the rooftop in the 8 o’clock hour. … Read More Seetsi benn film – How to see a movie in Senegal

+ Africa, culture, Dakar, language, lookoutmywindow, research, study abroad, Sub-Saharan Africa, travel, West Africa, Wolof

Newspaper Sandwiches – Interesting Things About Being in Dakar During Ramadan

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As somewhat of a travel writer, I think it’s important to provide the finer, day-to-day details of what life in Dakar is like during this time of year: Ramadan. If it is your first time traveling to Dakar, particularly if you are coordinating a study abroad program, I do not recommend coming during the month of Ramadan. Many businesses have odd hours to accommodate … Read More Newspaper Sandwiches – Interesting Things About Being in Dakar During Ramadan

+ Africa, culture, Dakar, language, lookoutmywindow, monument, research, study abroad, Sub-Saharan Africa, travel, West Africa, Wolof

Adventures in Dakar – Monument de la Renaissance Africaine

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Yesterday morning, Emily and Sierra came to my homestay and we set out for Monument de la Renaissance Africaine in Dakar. After using car rapides with my goro (host sister-in-law) the day before, we decided to make our way across the city using the car rapides on our own. Car rapides in Dakar are much cheaper for transportation than taxis. It’s ~100CFA to go … Read More Adventures in Dakar – Monument de la Renaissance Africaine

+ culture, Dakar, language, lookoutmywindow, research, study abroad, Sub-Saharan Africa, travel, West Africa, Wolof, women

"Let’s meet at Mickey!" – How We Get Around

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Coming to Senegal with other people has provided a lot of opportunities. I am no longer navigating on my own, walking on my own, figuring things out myself. Emily and Sierra both live in my neighborhood in Dakar this year; we all live in the Mermoz neighborhood, just past Sicap Karak, where I lived last year in Dakar. The Mermoz neighborhood is about a … Read More "Let’s meet at Mickey!" – How We Get Around

+ Africa, culture, Dakar, language, lookoutmywindow, research, study abroad, Sub-Saharan Africa, travel, West Africa, Wolof, women

Samay Xarit – Making New Friends in Dakar

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Ngone is the Senegalese name yaay gave to me yesterday morning. She added my phone number to her mobile so we can reach each other if I need something.Yesterday, I spent a great deal of time at the Baobab Center becoming acquainted with the staff and meeting several students from different study abroad programs. There are several women here from Lawrence University in Appleton, … Read More Samay Xarit – Making New Friends in Dakar

+ Africa, culture, Dakar, l'île de N'gor, language, lookoutmywindow, research, study abroad, Sub-Saharan Africa, travel, West Africa, Wolof, women

Ngone laa tudd – My name is Ngone

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Yaay gave me the name “Ngone,” which she says means ‘kindness’ in Wolof. Each person who stays with her family as a homestay receives a Senegalese name from her, and she adds them into her phone. I am now a contact in yaay’s mobile as “Amerig Ngone” – the American Ngone. Today, I went to L’ile Ngor with Emily, Sierra, Jessica, and Avey. Emily … Read More Ngone laa tudd – My name is Ngone

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