Current News:
Travel to Senegal:
Check back for information.
Visas:
You must have a valid passport. If you are a US citizen you do not need a visa to enter Senegal if you plan to stay for less that 90 days. If you are not a US citizen, or if you plan to extend your stay beyond 90 days you should contact the Senegalese Embassy in Washington (2112 Wyoming Ave., N.W., 20008, Ph. (202) 234-0540).
What to Bring:
Almost anything that you can get in Chapel Hill you can also find in Dakar, Senegal. However, for many items, particularly luxury items, you can expect to pay more in Senegal that you would pay here. This means that while you don't have to pack the kitchen sink, if there is some luxury item that you absolutely need, you might think about bringing it (some type of exotic soap would be an example).
The rule that I follow for packing is to pack light and inexpensive. By packing light your travel experience to and from Senegal will be much more pleasant, particularly moving through customs in Dakar. You will also have room to bring back souvenirs. If you pack inexpensive you will not have to constantly worry about where your stuff is.
The following are a few more quick rules (liberally taken from Prof. Daniel's Summer School in Kenya Program):
1) If you can't afford to lose it don't bring it. If you avoid flashy items you will also avoid becoming a target for pickpockets.
2) Clothes: Two rules. a) it will be hot and humid and b) The Senegalese are modest and dress well. The second rule does not mean that you have to bring a tux. Rather, it means that you should avoid cut off shorts and torn tee shirts. While these are fine for hanging out at home, they are not cool for walking around town. The first rule means light color and light weight. It also means cotton, cotton, cotton. Men should bring light weight and light colored long pants. light weight khaki's are fine. You might find jeans too hot. Cotton short sleeve shirts are perfect. Tee shirts are also fine, as long as they are not ratty. Women can get away with wearing pants. You will see a lot of young unmarried women wearing jeans. Cotton skirts, however, are much better. Not only are they more appropriate, they are also cooler. Modesty is most important from the waist down. You will have more latitude above the waist. Unlike other regions in Africa it is fine to expose your shoulders in Senegal.
Bring several changes of clothes. You will be amazed at how quickly your clothes get dirty.
3) If you take prescription medicine, be sure to bring it. Keep it in the original containers. You will need proof that the medicine is prescribed to you to bring it back into the US.
4) Get some type of money belt. You probably will not need it but it will give you peace of mind.
5) Make copies of your documents (passport, ticket, etc.) and keep them in a safe place.
Money Issues:
I have learned that the best way to get money in Senegal is with a check card. If your bank offers a check card I would get one. you can use it to withdraw cash directly out of a checking account in the US. They are accepted by most banks in Senegal. By using a check card you will get the wholesale exchange rate which is much better than the rate offered by banks. Banks in Senegal also do not have taxes or other bank charges associated with using a check card.
If you bring a check card make sure that you know your pin. Unlike the in the US, in Senegal you must know you pin to use your card.
I also take some travelers checks just in case something happens to my check card. So far this has not happened (knock on wood). If you don't have a check card you can always use travelers checks. But be prepared for the bank and the government to take their cuts.
How much money should you bring? Most of your expenses are covered by the program tuition. Still, you will want to have some money for your personal expenses. You might want to take some meals in local restaurants, buy souvenirs, travel, or go to a local event.
Health Concerns:
I highly recommend that you check out the CDC page on travel in West Africa. According to this page you will need to have a current yellow fever vaccination to enter Senegal. Make sure that you have this vaccinations and that it is correctly marked in your yellow WHO travel document.
We will be in Senegal during the wet season. Malaria is endemic and it is likely that you will be exposed to this potentially deadly disease. I can't understate the importance of taking the currently recommended anti-malaria prophylactic. I believe that Mefloquine is currently recommended
The climate and the cuisine in Senegal are very different from the United States. You will probably experience a short period of adjustment to this new environment. I always take some pepto bismal to deal with the minor stomach discomfort that comes with adjusting to a new environment and being exposed to a variety of unfamiliar parasites.
I'm sure that you have seen the Summer School sheet with the vaccination information for Senegal. If you have not seen this yet you should drop by the Summer School office and pick one up. I believe that you are required to read this form of participate in this program. This sheet provides a summary of the vaccines that the CDC recommends for Senegal. While it is better to have as many of these vaccines as possible, some of these are considered less important if you are just going to Senegal for a short visit.
