Senegal and Tunisia: We aim to offer a unique and transformational French language immersion experience. Throughout the trip, French language educators will gain an increased cultural, historical, and contemporary understanding of Senegal and Tunisia. The trip will focus on various topics such as education, literature, history, world cultural heritage sites, environment, global issues, and more. Participants will have various opportunities to interact 1-1 and in small groups with Senegalese or Tunisian students, educators, writers, researchers, artists, griots, and families.

Senegal and Tunisia: There are up to 20 places available for our Senegal and Tunisia Educator Programs. French language educators, including current K-12 and college/university professors, retired, pre-service educators, and those between jobs are eligible. Check with us to see if we have space for French-speaking spouses. Completed applications with deposits will be processed for program acceptance. We will maintain a waitlist for any interested candidates in case a spot becomes available.

Senegal: These trips are open to anyone who wants to enjoy and focus their trip on four days of international and Senegalese jazz in St. Louis. We will also visit UNESCO sites, artisanal markets, do some local sight-seeing, and discover local nature.

Senegal: According to the US State Department, the current advisory level is 1 (exercise normal precautions) as of 04/06/25. This is the lowest level. 

Tunisia: According to the US State Department, the current Tunisia advisory level is 2 (exercise increased cautions) as of 04/29/25.  

See the details of each Program to see costs.

Senegal: For Senegal, you only need money for personal snacks and souvenirs. You can pay online by ACH or via credit card. Payments are made monthly or paid in full through our website. Program costs include the following expenses during the travel dates of the Program:
* All lodging in country, in double rooms (infrequently triples) with your own bed
* All meals in country and one soft drink or juice per meal
* All transportation in country
* All event entrance fees and guide fees in country

Tunisia: For Tunisia, you will spend money on personal snacks, souvenirs, some meals, and tips. Program costs include the following expenses during the travel dates of the Program:
* All lodging in country, in double rooms (infrequently triples) with your own bed
* Most meals in country and bottled water
* All transportation in country
* All event entrance fees in country

Senegal Educator: We do NOT include airfare, nor required proof of Yellow Fever vaccinations, required malaria prophylaxis for the trip, nor the required trip travel and medical evacuation insurance including CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason). Any other personal immunizations & health care costs, souvenirs, snacks, and optional tips are at your own discretion.

Senegalese CFA: Participants can pre-order CFA through Vive a month prior to departure and you will receive it upon arrival in Senegal. You bring your new $100 & $50 bills to Senegal for the exchange. We recommend bringing some additional cash in addition to ATM cards in case you need more cash. Infrequently, credit cards could be used for purchases in a store, but typically cash is required. Typically $200-$300 USD is sufficient for souvenirs. Let us know what currency you will want to exchange.

Tunisian Dinars: Participants can withdraw money at local ATMs in Tunisia. We recommend bringing approximately $200 USD in case you need more cash. Credit cards can be used for purchases in a store, but typically cash is required in markets. Typically $200-$300 is sufficient for souvenirs.

Senegal: See this link from the US State Department for passport, entry requirements, and safety information. Participants should have passports valid for travel to/from their home country for 6 months beyond travel dates with at least two blank pages. You may need a Yellow Fever Certificate as proof to enter Senegal. Currently, US and Canadian citizens do not need special tourist visas to enter the country. Applicants from other countries should check to verify what documentation is required. 

Tunisia: See this link from the US State Department for passport, entry requirements, and safety information. Participants from other countries should check on their requirements.

Senegal: According to the US CDC, the current health advisory alert level is 2 (practice enhanced cautions) due to circulating poliovirus. You should have proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination (good for life), take antimalarial medicine, and have all regular vaccinations up-to-date as well as others as recommended by your doctor, the CDC, or a travel clinic. Anyone with peanut allergies is discouraged from applying. Other known anaphylactic issues or other serious health issues should be discussed with your doctor. Food allergies, sensitivities, or preferences may be difficult to accommodate. Insect repellent and long-sleeves are recommended to avoid mosquito bites. 

Tunisia: According to the US CDC, the current health advisory alert level for Tunisia is 2 (practice enhanced cautions). You should have all regular vaccinations up-to-date as well as others as recommended by your doctor, the CDC, or a travel clinic. Other known anaphylactic issues or other serious health issues should be discussed with your doctor. Food allergies, sensitivities, or preferences may be difficult to accommodate. 

Senegal: Senegal is around 95% Muslim, 3% Catholic and 2% animist. In general, Muslim brotherhoods are tolerant of others with different religions. 

Tunisia: Tunisia is around 99% Muslim with the majority Sunni. There are some important historical Jewish and Christian sites in Tunisia as well.

Senegal: Participants on educator trips should abstain from drinking alcohol, in general. Marijuana is not legal in Senegal. Other prescription drugs are permitted in original packaging. 

Tunisia: Participants should avoid drinking alcohol. Marijuana is not legal in Tunisia. Other prescription drugs are permitted in original packaging. 

All trips: Participants must purchase their own travel and medical evacuation insurance, including Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) whenever possible for the dates of the Program. Note that some insurance companies require signing up for CFAR policies promptly after your first program payment. Contact your insurance company for more information. 

Senegal: We will have Trip Leaders and/or local Senegalese guide(s) with us 24/7. U.S. citizens should register at the US Embassy in Dakar through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for alerts and updates. We will practice safe eating and drinking habits and will talk about sanitation, health, and hygiene prior to departure. We will travel in a private vehicle solely for our use, avoiding nighttime travel; we will walk in pairs or a group. Our local guides and Trip Leaders will have phones for emergencies. We do not recommend jogging in Dakar but we can try to find appropriate locations elsewhere. 

Senegal: As per the US State Department under Safety and Security “same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in Senegal. LGBTI individuals routinely face discrimination. Under Article 319 of the Senegalese criminal code, “unnatural acts” are punishable by imprisonment of one to five years and a fine of F CFA 1,000,000 (USD $2,000).” 

Tunisia: As per the US State Department under Safety and Security, “Consensual same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in Tunisia. Penalties include sentences of up to three years in prison.” 

All trips: International phone plans may be very pricey. Sometimes wifi access may be limited to our lodgings in the evening, which may be unreliable. We recommend bringing a notebook, phone/small camera, and French-style (types C & E) adapters for the electrical outlets. You recommend you leave laptop computers at home. Sometimes there are power surges and electrical outages, so consider using a European surge protector. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. 

Senegal: Every participant should only bring one small to medium suitcase and one smaller backpack, and avoid valuables. With temperatures in the 80s-90s and high humidity during summer trips, lightweight, long cotton or linen pants, or long skirts/dresses are recommended. Clothes should be tidy and without holes, and knee-length or longer, except at beaches or poolside. We will try to have some clothes tailor-made during the trip. You may need a lightweight sweater for cooler nights or in locations with more air-conditioning, though Senegalese AC is typically not as cold as in the USA, nor Europe. A specific packing list will be provided to Participants closer to departure. You can hand wash some clothes as needed. We will try to have laundry done once about halfway through the trip.

Tunisia: Every participant should only bring one small to medium suitcase and one smaller backpack. A smaller day bag such as a waist-pack or fanny pack can be useful. Avoid valuables. With temperatures in the 80s-90s or higher during summer trips, lightweight, long cotton or linen pants, or long skirts/dresses are recommended. Clothes should be tidy and without holes, and knee-length or longer, except at beaches or poolside.  You may need a lightweight sweater for cooler nights or in locations with more air-conditioning. Women will need a scarf for visits to mosques. You can hand wash some clothes as needed. A specific packing list will be provided to Participants closer to departure.

Vive offers free pre-departure meetings to help you prepare for your trip, focusing not just on logistics, but also cultural and linguistic information to help you get the most out of your trip. Educator trips will include 4-5 pre-departure meetings.

All trips: A valid passport six months beyond our return date with at least two blank pages will be required. Be sure that you can leave and re-enter your home country on your passport. Currently, US citizens do not need special tourist visas to enter the country.

All trips: Vive offers free pre-departure meetings to help you prepare for your trip, focusing not just on logistics, but also cultural and linguistic information to help you get the most out of your trip.

Senegal: A lot! We will be doing outdoor activities on a daily basis. We will visit UNESCO World Heritage sites of Senegal on our visit as well as several other proposed sites. We will also explore markets, towns, downtown Dakar, and beaches. We will spend time in our bus to travel between sites. You may have the opportunity to swim in hotel pools and in the Atlantic Ocean. We will be walking a lot as well. Sunscreen, hats, reusable water bottles & insect repellent will be essential.

Tunisia: A lot! We will be doing outdoor activities on a daily basis. We will visit UNESCO World Heritage sites of Tunisia on our visit as well as several other proposed sites. We will also explore medinas and souks, local oases, the Sahara Desert, and beaches. We will spend time in our bus, but we will also spend time in 4WDs and perhaps a camel or ATV ride. You may have the opportunity to swim in hotel pools and in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as some oasis waterfalls. We will be walking a lot as well. Sunscreen, hats, reusable water bottles & insect repellent will be essential.

Senegal and Tunisia: We will have a local Tunisian guide with us and a Vive Trip Leader. U.S. citizens should register at the US Embassy in Tunis or US Embassy in Dakar through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for alerts and updates. We will travel in a private vehicle solely for our use, avoiding nighttime travel; when on foot, we will recommend being aware of our surroundings. Our local guides and Trip Leaders will have phones for emergencies.