Global Education

Program Dates

Term	Start Date	End Date
Spring 2026	Mid January, 2026Mid May	Mid May, 2026
Fall 2026	Late-August, 2026	Mid-December, 2026

These dates are tentative. Confirm program dates before booking travel.

Eligibility

The program is open to Allegheny juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Coursework related to development and/or Senegal or West Africa, or volunteer or social services experience is preferred. 2 years of college-level French is required.

Where

Senegal has long been a crossroads where African, Islamic, and European civilizations have met, clashed, and blended. Today, Senegal is still seen as a bridge between Africa and the West, and also where Senegalese people remain deeply attached to traditional values and cultures. This program is based in Dakar, Senegal’s cosmopolitan capital. Heated by the African sun while surrounded on three sides by cool Atlantic waters, Dakar has a climate often described as “eternal spring”. It is known as a city of contrasts. Businessmen and tourists, European clothes and traditional dress, colonial-style villas and modern skyscrapers, supermarkets and small shops, posh residential areas and shantytowns all coexist.

Academics

The program’s combination of classes, field trips, field experiences/internships, and research link experience with theory and provide a critical analysis of development efforts and their effectiveness, sustainability, cultural appropriateness, and equity. Students participating in the program develop a profound, firsthand understanding of the complex economic and social issues at work in Senegal.

The courses and internships build on a common knowledge base built by pre-departure readings and assignments. Once in Dakar, students study as a group for 2 months and then participate in a 4-week field placement. Students on the yearlong option build the field experience to an internship. The Academic Year curriculum includes a 4-credit International Development internship complemented by a research project (often the basis of a senior project or major/minor requirement).

All participants go through 1 week of orientation, 7 weeks of coursework in Dakar, 6 weeks of internship or research project, and 1 week of a final seminar.

Students must select a program track of either Entrepreneurship, Health, Human Rights, or Sustainability

Academic Structure

Course taken with other MSID students. The internship or research project will be with an organization engaged in grassroots work related to your chosen international development theme.

Course Credit

You are required to take 16 credits for fall or spring semester. Add 4 credits for optional French language pre-session.

Courses

Students who earn an Allegheny equated grade of C or higher will receive transfer credit on their transcript. Grades earned away will not be calculated into the cumulative GPA. Please note that transcript processing times may vary.

Students may view pre-equated Allegheny courses here. Those planning to enroll in courses not pre-equated are responsible for following the steps outlined here. Please allow sufficient time for course equivalency evaluations, as departmental chair approval is required.

Studentss will enroll in four required courses, including an internship or research project:

1. Historical & Political Context of Senegal (4 credits)
2. Language (4 credits) Students will select to study either French or Wolof.
3. Internship or Research (4 credits) Students will choose to complete either an internship or a research project
4. Elected track course (4 credits) Entrepreneurship, Health, Human Rights, or Sustainability

Student Life

MSID participants live with host families throughout the program. The homestay is an important venue for practicing French and for gaining insights into Senegalese culture. Meals consist of fish and rice at least once every day, with few fruits and vegetables.

Classroom and office facilities are located in a one-story complex called the West African Research Center (WARC), located a few miles from downtown. Most students study either at WARC or at other nearby libraries. A number of computers are also available at the program facilities.

Application Process

Allegheny students must apply for approval to study off-campus from the Global Education office AND apply directly to their chosen program. For this program, students should work on the Allegheny approval application at the same time as the host program application. The Allegheny approval application deadline is February 20 for fall programs and September 20 for spring programs. Study away approval applications will be reviewed immediately following the appropriate semester deadline. The separate application deadline to apply directly to this program will vary and could be before or after Allegheny’s approval application due date. Check directly on their website (linked at the top of this page) for deadline information. For more information about the study away application process, please visit the application steps page.

Fees & Costs

Below find information on estimated costs for a semester abroad. You will receive a bill from Allegheny College, as you normally would, for the amount shown under “Costs Paid to Allegheny College.” All other study away program costs will be paid directly to a non-Allegheny entity and are listed in part two below. These amounts are estimates and will vary depending on individual choices.

Visa & Immigration Fees

Students are responsible for all expenses related to obtaining a passport.

Students are responsible for all costs associated with securing a student visa or residence permit, including travel and logistical expenses to the consulate or embassy, if required. Students are responsible for obtaining the necessary visa or residence permit within the appropriate timeframe. To determine whether a visa or residence permit is required along with application fee, consult the embassy or consulate of your program’s destination country. Visa fees vary, and students are responsible for understanding all associated costs and budgeting accordingly. The Global Education Office cannot be held liable for the outcome of any visa or residence permit application.

All financial aid awards can be applied to study abroad costs with the exception of federal work study awards and certain tuition exchange scholarships. For more information, visit our page about Financing Study Away.

Part One: Costs Paid to Allegheny College

Part Two: Costs Paid to non-Allegheny Entity

COMPARE COST OF ATTENDANCE

NOTES:

Study Away Fee includes: administrative support, transcript translation and processing, pre-departure orientation, and emergency travel insurance.