Lindsey Jones from Niwot High School traveled to Senegal for a French language immersion trip that was an enriching experience, blending cultural, educational, and historical exploration that will encourage students to develop intercultural understanding and open-mindedness. Traveling to a country where French is an official language will allow Lindsey to add a depth to the content she teaches her students that would not be possible without first-hand experience.
From Lindsey:
“My once-in-a-lifetime trip to Senegal exceeded every expectation I had. The warmth and hospitality of the people made every connection feel genuine and unforgettable, far beyond anything I could have dreamed. With full cultural immersion, the experience was nothing short of phenomenal.”
Our group began the journey by flying to Washington, D.C., where we caught our direct flight to Dakar, Senegal. In the months leading up to the trip, we met once a month on Zoom to learn about Senegalese customs and to get to know each other. This helped set expectations—especially since it was the first time any of us had traveled to Senegal.
We were a group of twelve women teaching at all levels, from elementary school to university.
We landed in Dakar at 6 a.m., made our way through customs, and grabbed our bags. There we met our local guide, Ali, along with Katie, who had already been staying with her host family. We boarded a bus and headed to the quiet coastal town of Toubab Dialaw and our hotel, Sobo Badé: rustic, peaceful, and overlooking the Atlantic.
During the drive, we passed rural villages while Ali shared bits of history and daily life. Upon arrival, we were greeted with Café Touba (a traditional spiced coffee made with grains of Selim) and fresh baguettes.
Our first activity was Batik art, a textile-dyeing method using hot wax. We began with the first step—painting designs in wax. I chose stencils (art is not my strongest skill!), traced my design, and applied the wax while our instructor kept the wax heated. We then selected our first dye color (I chose purple), submerged the fabric, rinsed it, and set it out to dry for the next day.
Lunch was a traditional Senegalese dish, Thieboudienne, served with chicken. We also tried several popular juices:
We had our first Wolof lesson, focused on greetings and the importance of connection—one of the central values of Senegalese culture. Dinner featured local fish with rice, and we ended the night early after a long travel day.
We started the morning with baguettes, local jams, and Café Touba before our next Wolof lesson. Then came our challenge: using Wolof in the village. On a table were 15 traditional objects, and with a partner we ventured into Toubab Dialaw to ask locals about what the items were and their significance. In this remote area, Wolof is often stronger than French, so we relied heavily on what we’d learned. It ended up being one of my favorite activities—everyone we met was kind, welcoming, and patient.
Back at Sobo Badé, we shared our findings with the group while Ali, Katie, and Katy offered insight and clarification.
Next, we visited the local school. Students gave us a tour and shared about their typical day. We also sat down with ten teachers to ask questions. Schools in more remote villages function very differently than those we’re used to: classes of 60–90 students, minimal technology, teacher shortages, and long commutes for many students. Despite these challenges, the students and staff were incredibly generous with their time.
After returning to the hotel, we finished our Batik projects by adding a second layer of wax patterns and dye.
The day closed with a Djembe drumming lesson—fun, energetic, and challenging for someone with questionable rhythm!
We packed up and headed toward Saly, a larger coastal town near Dakar. On the way we visited the Institut Diambars, a renowned academic and athletic training center. Students come from across Senegal—many on scholarship and many from difficult circumstances—to pursue both education and soccer training.
We were fortunate to meet Abdou Thiam, a graduate who received a scholarship, went on to play Division I soccer in the U.S., and later played professionally in the MLS. Every summer he returns to mentor current students, giving back to the institution that shaped his future.
After a supermarket stop to explore new foods and grab snacks, we arrived at our beachfront hotel. We enjoyed some ocean time before dinner, where we tasted Dibbi—fire-grilled, seasoned meat.
We began the day with a guided visit to the childhood home of Léopold Sédar Senghor, Senegal’s first president and an important literary figure. Behind the home stands a sacred baobab tree historically connected to local griots (storytellers).
From there, we traveled to Joal-Fadiouth, known as “Seashell Island.” The entire island is made of centuries of accumulated shells. It’s connected to the mainland by a wooden bridge and is famous for its mixed-faith cemetery—Muslims and Catholics buried side by side, a true symbol of religious tolerance.
After touring the cemetery, we boarded a pirogue (a traditional narrow fishing boat) back to the mainland. Later, we had a two-hour group discussion about everything we’d learned so far and asked Ali about all the things we still wanted to learn (teachers ask many questions!) On the way back to the hotel we stopped for fresh coconut from roadside vendors.
This day was dedicated to education. Instead of visiting an IB school, we were invited to the high school where one group member runs a penpal program. Even though the school year had officially ended, the English Club came to meet us. Teachers answered our questions, students gave us a tour, and two teachers even taught a traditional lesson so we could see the Senegalese classroom structure in action.
From there, we went to the University of Thiès, where we met Tourism students, observed one of their classes, and toured campus, including dorms where up to 14 students share a single room. After a late lunch and more conversation, we continued on to Dakar.
Our first full day in Dakar started with a trip to Marché HLM, a massive market full of fabric vendors. Katy and Katie brought us to meet their former host families, who became constant companions for the rest of our trip. I shopped with Aaisha, who helped me choose fabrics for a skirt and a pant and top set.
We then visited the Grande Mosquée de Dakar, the largest mosque in West Africa, where we learned about its history and role in daily worship. Back at the hotel, a local tailor arrived to transform our fabric into custom-made outfits.
We began early at the Monument de la Renaissance Africaine—a symbol of African rebirth inspired by President Senghor’s vision. Though controversial when built (its cost and foreign construction drew criticism), it is now one of Dakar’s major attractions.
Next, we visited the home of Katie’s host family for what was supposed to be a short stop… which turned into a six-hour immersion in true Senegalese teranga—the hospitality Senegal is famous for. The family welcomed all twelve of us with open arms, cooked a communal meal, and taught us how to eat properly with our hands. We also learned how to make attaya, a traditional Senegalese tea prepared in a long, social, multi-step process.
The home had several floors, each lived in by different branches of the family, and we were encouraged to wander, chat, and relax. We ended the evening with multilingual karaoke.
We spent the morning browsing a local market and practicing our bargaining skills—still not my strength, but improving! Afterwards we visited a salon de thé and fair-trade shop in Ngor, where the owner explained how their products support women in rural villages. Everything there is handmade, and the owner focuses on working with women in need.
In the afternoon, we visited Africulturban, a collective of graffiti artists, rappers, and activists using art to create social change and provide safe creative spaces for youth. Their artwork was powerful and it was incredible to sit in their DJ booths and hear firsthand how the organization shaped their lives.
We woke early to catch the ferry to Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site and once the largest slave-trading center on the West African coast. This was the only time we heard our guide Ali speak English, he is a certified English-language guide for the island, he is fantastic at what he does and is well known at Embassies in the US for his expertise.
We visited the Maison des Esclaves (Slave House) and learned about its painful history. The most striking site was the Door of No Return, where enslaved people were forced onto ships, never to return home.
Gorée’s architecture still reflects its Portuguese origins, setting it apart from other regions. We also visited the prestigious all-girls school Lycée d’Excellence Mariama Bâ.
Today we met with “l’homme plastique,” an activist who wears a suit made entirely of plastic to raise awareness about pollution in Senegal. After learning about his movement, we spent an hour cleaning a local beach—collecting around 30 bags of plastic.
We continued to the westernmost point of Africa before heading into downtown Dakar, where we visited major cultural and historical sites, including markets, the main cathedral, and key financial areas. We wrapped up the day with a bookstore visit, where we all bought many new books to bring back to our class rooms. That evening our new clothes were finished and we went to a nice dinner where we had a view of the city and were able to watch a live show of music through the years!
We began the day with a surprise trip to a local nature reserve for a mini-safari. We saw giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and more—all living freely within the protected area.
The day also included an unexpected personal adventure: after struggling with foot pain for several days following a fall before the trip, I visited a Senegalese hospital. The process was simple, if long, and after a few X-rays I learned I had indeed fractured my foot—though I didn’t let that slow me down! We ended the day at a beach resort, a big contrast from our very first rustic hotel (where we showered using a bucket!).
Our final day was spent relaxing, last-minute souvenir shopping, ocean time, and enjoying each other’s company. Before dinner, we held a group reflection session to share highs, lows, and everything we learned.
This immersion experience was beyond anything I could have imagined. I am deeply grateful for the grant that made it possible. Everything felt authentic, genuine, and rooted in community. Traveling with such an extraordinary group of women—each with her own reasons for being there but united in our desire to learn—made the experience even richer.
For nearly two weeks we lived in French, embraced Senegalese culture wholeheartedly, and gained insights that will shape our teaching for years to come.
