O’Neill student Stephanie Joven reflected on her experience in the summer abroad program last summer in Senegal and The Gambia.
Interested in studying abroad summer 2023? Applications close January 27.
What attracted you to the Senegal summer program?
JOVEN: I was interested in the “on-the-ground” approach to teaching the class. It was structured such that we not only heard about the experiences of the community members but also had the chance to work alongside them on some community-based projects. We were given access to local knowledge and approaches to tackling various challenges encountered in rural West Africa.
What advice would you give students who are hesitant about studying abroad?
JOVEN: I recommend talking to the professor in charge of the program about what a normal day would look like while studying abroad. Being familiar with the goals and expectations of the summer program will also be beneficial to getting prepared for the trip.
How has studying abroad benefitted you as a person?
JOVEN: It has made me more aware of other people’s cultures and given me a unique opportunity of living with the locals with other students who are also happy to be in the program. As a Filipino-American, experiencing the culture of the peoples in West Africa allowed me to find many similarities with Filipino culture and I now have a newfound understanding and appreciation of my own culture. Being in the summer abroad program also created a challenge for me to seek ways to apply what I have learned in my chosen career and in reaching personal goals.
What is your favorite memory, story, or experience while studying abroad in Senegal?
JOVEN: We took a river cruise from Banjul towards inland Gambia and saw the local wildlife, as our Gambian guide, Mr. Francis, educated us about the country’s history and the importance of the River Gambia. We stopped by Kunta Kinteh Island and disembarked at Juffure where we met with some of Kunta Kinteh’s descendants. We then drove to Njawara and were welcomed by our Gambian hosts, who we now call our Gambian family
What is a fun fact about yourself?
JOVEN: Last winter break, I learned how to snowboard in the Austrian Alps.
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