Feeling Hungry? A Glimpse: Senegalese Cuisine
July 19, 2021
My classes and activities are starting to wrap up, and though I’ve had a wonderful time in Dakar, I am starting to count the days until I head home (eight). There are some aspects of Senegalese culture that I won’t miss – the traffic congestion and car exhaust, the lack of sidewalks, the bugs – but mostly there are a lot of things that I will miss – the music and dance, the habit of greeting people and always asking about their day, and most definitely the food. There's a fish hiding under those onions Food and drink will be today’s subjects, because I haven’t yet talked in depth about Senegalese cuisine, and who doesn’t love a mouthwatering blog post? In general, my diet has not been that different from what I eat at home, with the exception of more meat and fewer raw vegetables. Luckily I’m not a vegetarian, so the meat is no problem – in fact it’s probably been a good thing for my iron levels. I do love my carrot sticks though, so I’ve made sure to... Read More
History, ecology, geology, oh my!
July 12, 2021
This week passed without any major excitement – but I realize that if this was my first week, I would be saying it was full of excitement! I had a literature class, another session of dance and djembe (the best one yet!), a museum visit, and I made good progress on my projects... Read More
What is there to do in Dakar?
July 12, 2021
This week was all about Dakar. A lot of my outings so far have taken me to the outskirts or outside of the city, but there’s so much to do right here! It’s always fun to get out and about, explore different regions, see new places, but I think a lot of times people forget... Read More
Weekend in the Sine Saloum River Delta
June 28, 2021
This week marks the halfway point of my time in Senegal – already?? I’m starting to miss home a little bit, but it’s currently over 100 degrees F in my hometown of Tacoma, and the city of St. Paul where I go to school is covered in mayflies…so I’m happy to be in Dakar.... Read More
Music in Dakar
June 21, 2021
This week I was immersed in the very lively music scene of Dakar. Mostly it was fantastic, but I learned one very important lesson: time is a suggestion, not a rule. For example, last weekend when Yvanna and I went to see Wally Seck, we arrived shortly after 7pm for the 8pm... Read More
Daily Life
June 14, 2021
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Greetings from Dakar
June 7, 2021
Before I write too much about my experiences in Senegal, I should tell you that the program looks a little different this year. I’m the only student! There is a lot of value in a traditional study abroad experience – sharing the newness and discovery of a culture... Read More
5 Reasons Why a Program Provider is the Best Way to Study Abroad in France
May 13, 2021
When a student decides to study abroad in France, immediately a wide range of program choices unfold. One of the first ways to narrow down the options is to choose to participate with a third-party program provider or via an exchange with a foreign university. Here we’ll talk... Read More
Paris with a 9pm Curfew
October 23, 2020
Last week, Macron announced he would be imposing a 9pm to 6am curfew on Paris and 8 other French cities. This came as a bit of a shock to me, as my university classes are in person, and bars have continued to serve alcohol past their 10pm limit. The idea of living with a curfew... Read More
Museums as a Space for Meditation
October 15, 2020
I’ve always enjoyed going to museums. With a mother who is an art historian, museums were automatically a big part of my life. Every time we traveled; museums were the first on the list of things to see. And when new exhibitions came to Lisbon, Portugal, we would often make it... Read More
Everyone comes to Paris for a different reason.
October 8, 2020
Everyone comes to Paris for a different reason. For some it’s love, for others it’s the architecture and culture, and for others still it’s the food. For me? To finally become fluent in French and to feel like I had a European base that I could call home. But the truth is,... Read More
Guest Post: How to capture a semester (or 2.5 months) abroad?
July 2, 2020
The following is a guest blog post from Lisa, Spring 2020 Paris participant. Having been sent home early from a beautiful spring semester in Paris, I’ve found myself returning to this question. Though I am an avid photographer and almost obsessively document my experiences, I... Read More
Divine Dark Chocolate Cake with Aurélie
June 12, 2020
With a self-proclaimed sweet tooth, I may be biased when I ask, “Is there anything more divine than a chocolate dessert?” Short answer, no! Every birthday growing up there was never any question or hesitation for my special celebratory treat: chocolate cake! Warm... Read More
Classic Crêpes with Lindsay
May 5, 2020
What’s the first food you think of when you hear the word Paris? For many, crêpes are the must-eat snack when visiting the City of Light. And it’s no surprise: freshly made before your eyes with a flick of the wrist, this light, buttery confection is the perfect... Read More
Final thoughts
May 4, 2020
Exams are over and most of the APA crowd finished their classes this week, as Sunday marks the end of our program. I imagined we would be celebrating the last few days in Paris, with good food and colorful drinks, with music and dance, or by visiting some more cool spots of the... Read More
