To reserve your spot:
Read the Terms & Conditions [located here].
Review the FAQs and Group Norms [located here].
Attend a recommended Discovery Meeting [sign ups here]
Submit your application [located here]. 
Pay your $100 non-refundable deposit. 
 
This is a $100 non-refundable deposit for the Senegal Summer #1 June 21 - July 2, 2026 program for French language educators. The deposit will be applied to the total cost of the program which is $3480 ($100 deposit + $3380). We will confirm when we have received both your application and deposit. Participation is dependent on space available at the time of application.
 
Vive will send an invoice for the remaining $3380 to be paid in equal monthly installments due on the last day of the month through the end of February. 
Payment by credit card will be for the full advertised price.
You may pay in full at any time.
A late fee of $20 will be issued for any payment not received on time.
If you sign up after February 2026, we will invoice you for the full trip amount. 
To receive $100 off your total program cost, you can pay your deposit now by ACH (banking routing & checking number) and the rest of the balance by ACH.
 
Please note:  Flights are not included in this pricing. Participants will need to choose and pay for their own flights and arrive at our the program starting place and time. If you take a recommended flight, we will provide a free airport pick-up. If you wish to arrive at a different time, we will provide general information on how to get to our starting point or can offer a pick-up as an add-on. We will provide details after signing up. 
 
Waitlist: If you submit your application fee and application after we have reached our capacity (24 Participants) we will keep you on the Waitlist and will let you know next steps. We may open a second program to be run during the same dates.
 
A limited number of places are available for spouses, partners, or adult family members over 21 years of age. Ideally these additional participants should speak at least intermediate high French.
 
Add a short motivation for coming, What is your proficiency level in French?
 
We look forward to traveling with you!
Contact Vive with any questions at katy@vivelexperience.com.
 
Tentative Itinerary
Example flight itinerary: Direct flight from Washington DC (IAD) with a 18:30 departure, and 7:15 arrival the next morning.
 
Day 0: Optional activities for earlier arrivals may include: a beach walk, exploring local pirogues, napping in hammocks, dance workshop. 
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Day 1: Dakar to Village (45 minutes from airport)
Transfer to an art center hotel by the ocean. Enjoy lunch, practice Wolof, and participate in a cultural orientation. Create batiks and view the sunset before dinner.
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Day 2: Toubab Dialaw
Visit a local high school and interact with students. Continue batik-making after lunch. Enjoy a djembé drumming lesson and practice bargaining with local artisans.
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Day 4: Toubab Dialaw to Joal-Fadiouth/Somone
Visit Joal-Fadiouth’s shell island and sacred baobab. Enjoy lunch under some thatched roofs along the mangroves of Joal Fadiouth.  End the day at a beachside hotel in Somone.
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Day 5: Somone
Tour the Institut Diambar soccer training center. Explore Saly’s shops and local supermarket. Enjoy a soirée culturelle at the hotel.
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Day 6: Thies to Dakar
Stop in Thies for lunch and visit the university. Continue to Dakar, check into a hotel, and visit a supermarket and bookshop. Relax by the pool.
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Day 7: Gorée Island and Dakar
Visit Gorée Island and the Slave House. Return for a guided Dakar tour, museum visit, and sunset market stroll. End with dinner by the ocean.
 
Day 8: Dakar Markets and Landmarks
Explore the vibrant markets, extraordinary mosques, and walk to the most western point of mainland Africa. Catch up with a tailor at the hotel to turn your fabric purchases into outfits.
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Day 9: Dakar 
Meet with students & teachers at a Dakar school. Marvel at the mosque, overlooking the fishing pirogues on the coast, then climb up to the African Renaissance Monument. Explore a high-end shopping center, grocery store, and a children's shop focusing on African books and games.
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Day 10: Dakar - Ngor
Meet a famous environmental activist and join him on a clean-up project. Enjoy lunch at a fair-trade salon de thé, and meet local artists at Africulturban. Check tailor fittings before dinner.
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Day 11: Le Plateau, Dakar
Tour downtown Dakar, visiting a cathedral, mosque, and bookstore. Enjoy local Senegalese specialties for lunch, stroll around downtown a bit, and finish the day with a stunning view from a lighthouse restaurant at sunset.
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Day 12: Dakar to Saly
Pack up and leave Dakar in the morning. Head south to Saly hotel by the beach. There are opportunities for shopping and exploring in town, especially at some fair trade boutiques. Share reflections during group discussion before heading to airport this evening or tomorrow morning. Flight times may vary from late on day 12, to early on Day 13.
 
Day 13: Saly to DSS to home
Head out early to the airport for a 9:15am direct flight to IAD, arriving around 13:55. 
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(Subject to change)