Senegal
Note: This program will not be offered in summer 2009 but is scheduled to be offered in summer 2010.
Global Health and Economic Development
Program
The program, for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students, is designed to give direct hands-on experience in the primary health care, public health, economic development, and NGO capacity-building sectors of the Republic of Senegal; and an understanding of the region’s health, social, and development concerns. The relation between levels of development and health is explored. The course includes a review of current development concepts and indicators, and examines the relationship between global health and development.
Through case studies from NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development), AfriCorps, and other health, social welfare, development agencies and NGOs in Senegal, students analyze how food, nutrition, education, poverty alleviation, human rights, water and health system policies impact health and development in West Africa. Students also compare the situation in the country and the region in the context of the broader impacts of trade agreements, water privatization, decentralization and privatization of the health systems, women’s empowerment, the role of NGOs and development agencies, community participation, access to pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical policies in other parts of the world.
The approach to the discussion of the themes is interdisciplinary: epidemiology and public health, political economy, and sociology of professions and of organizations. While previous French and/or Wolof language proficiency is not required, some language ability is essential for students to gain the maximum understanding during the program. For that reason, the first week of the program includes intensive language training for two to four hours each day.
About the Republic of Senegal
The Republic of Senegal is one of the most democratic and developed countries in West Africa today. The population is nearly 10 million, with two million living in Dakar—the political and economic capital of Senegal and one of West Africa’s most important and vibrant cities. French is the official language of the country, and Wolof (one of many local languages) is the predominant local dialect. Many other languages are also spoken due to the multi-ethnic population. The country has enjoyed political and social stability since achieving independence in 1960, and there is a well developed infrastructure, educational system, and tourist industry.
TOP
About Saint-Louis
Saint-Louis—an island city that straddles part of the Langue de Barbie Peninsula, Ile de N’Dar and the mainland—makes a good base from which to explore the rich culture and history of northwest Senegal. With the creation of French West Africa in 1895, Saint-Louis became the capital of the French colonial empire which encompassed Senegal, Sudan, Guinea, and Ivory Coast. The city remained the capital of Senegal and Mauritania until 1958, when all Senegalese administration was moved to Dakar. The city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, is home to Gaston-Berger University, has several nearby national parks, museums and libraries, and maintains a vibrant tourist industry year round.
About AfriCorps
The host institution is AfriCorps, an NGO based in Senegal. Working closely with local educational institutions and governmental agencies, the organizational mission of AfriCorps is to help build global capacity, promote understanding of Africa and the African Diaspora, and improve the status of people of African descent in the areas of environment, health, and education by strengthening educational, research, service, and community development activities. The mission is largely accomplished through volunteerism and the implementation of study abroad, exchange, and community service programs—as well as other research, community, outreach, and training activities in collaboration with implementing partners and affiliate organizations in the US and Africa.
AfriCorps has a number of project sites and educational collaborations in Dakar and Saint-Louis, and works closely with Gaston Berger University, as well as public health and community development agencies and organizations in Saint-Louis and the surrounding villages.
Program Location
The program begins with a brief orientation period in Dakar—facilitated by AfriCorps; the Ministry of NEPAD, whose programs focus largely on agriculture, human resources development (especially in health, education, science and technology), infrastructure, market access and intra-African trade, and preservation of the environment; and faculty lecturers from the linguistics department at the University of Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar. After the orientation period, the majority of the course activities, field trips, and field work take place in the region of Saint-Louis.
TOP
Courses
Both undergraduate and graduate students register for a total of six credit hours, although the expectation for graduate students is higher than for undergraduates.
Public Health 5005: International Health Studies Abroad (6 cr, graduate)
Public Health 3208: International Health Studies Abroad (6 cr, undergraduate)
Students participate in and critically observe public health and community development programs in urban and rural settings in Africa, to demonstrate a competency in international health, public health practice, community development or rapid-appraisal of field-based research in a developing country.
Web-based tutorials and readings are assigned prior to departure in preparation for the program. All students are also expected to participate in a pre-departure orientation seminar.
Program Faculty
Dr. Shannon Márquez is an associate professor of public health and the new director of the Master of Public Health Program in the Department of Public Health at the Temple University College of Health Professions. Prior to joining Temple University, she was on the faculty in Environmental and Occupational Health, the Global Health program, and the Center for Infectious Diseases at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health. Dr. Márquez previously served as assistant dean and deputy director of the Center for International Rural and Environmental Health, and the director of community outreach & education for the NIEHS funded Center of Excellence at the University of Iowa College of Public Health.
Her current research focus is in global health and development, safe water issues, human rights, and environmental justice. She is actively engaged in research on the development of risk assessment and GIS models to evaluate sanitary risk factors and water related diseases; the implementation of household-based water treatment and safe storage schemes in sub-Saharan Africa; partnerships for community-driven environmental health research to address environmental justice in underserved communities; and access to water and sanitation, and environmental improvements of the SAFE Strategy to eliminate trachoma disease. In addition to her research and work directing Temple’s MPH Program, she works on international health and development activities throughout West Africa, including training, consulting and technical assistance projects in Senegal, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Nigeria.
TOP
Field Trips
Sites visits and field trips related to the course include: Ministry of NEPAD, Ministry of Health, Bango Health Center, West African Research Center (in Fann Residence, Dakar), University of Cheikh Anta Diop, and Gaston-Berger University. In addition to course related field trips, students participate in the following field trips and cultural activities: Goree Island, Lac Rose, the Presidential Palace and National Assembly in Dakar, IFAN Museum, and the Millennium Wall.
Accommodations and Meals
For the first 3-7 days, students live in modest hostels/budget hotels in Dakar and Mbour. After the orientation, students are housed in a similar facility in Saint-Louis. Rooms are clean and well maintained, however, the accommodations are basic and not luxurious. Students share a room with up to three other students. Breakfast and dinner are served at the facility. The group also eats lunch or dinner together once or twice a week at a local restaurant or venue, and/or is hosted as guests of collaborating organizations.
Calendar (SUmmer I)
General program dates are tentative and subject to change
Late May to late June
2008 Program fees and Costs
| |
Undergraduate (6cr) |
Graduate (6cr) |
| |
PA Resident |
Non-Resident |
PA Resident |
Non-Resident |
| Tuition |
$2778 |
$4596 |
$3378 |
$4938 |
| Senegal Fee* |
$1880 |
$1880 |
$1880 |
$1880 |
*Please note that this fee is an estimate and will be updated
The Senegal fee includes accommodations, two meals per day (breakfast/dinner), local travel, language study, and group excursions. In addition, students must budget money for round-trip airfare from the United States to Senegal, estimated at $1,700-2,000; personal expenses; required immunizations (approximately $400), health insurance, and the International Student Identity Card (currently $22).
TOP
Eligibility
Please see the General Summer Information page for program eligibility and application requirements that apply to all programs. In addition, for the Senegal program, the following is required:
- A one-to-two-page typed statement describing your expectations and interests regarding the Senegal program, and specifying what you ultimately hope to gain from your study abroad experience.
- Experience or working knowledge in one of the following: West Africa-related subject matter, public health, or development studies.
Application Deadline: February 15
For more information, please contact Dr. Shannon Márquez , Department of Public Health, College of Health Professions, Temple University, 215-204-6780, marquez@temple.edu.
|
|
