Our programs typically accommodate 8-30 participants, with 12-18 being the most common group size. This size range allows for personalized attention while maintaining the collaborative learning environment that enhances cultural immersion.

We work closely with your faculty to align all learning objectives with your French language proficiency goals and cultural competency outcomes. Programs can integrate academic work time for in-person classes, guest lectures, and student assignments. Time for portfolio requirements, reflection journals, language proficiency evaluations, or final projects can be built into the daily schedule. We balance structured learning, cultural immersion activities, and appropriate free time to optimize the educational experience.

Vive has a formal agreement with the Senegal Ministry of Education, signed by the Minister of Education, providing official access to teachers and students during school visits. This partnership enables authentic educational exchanges including classroom observations, student-to-student conversations in French and/or English, and guest lectures from Senegalese educators. We maintain partnerships with institutions in Dakar, Thiès, Saint-Louis, and smaller towns and villages—access that goes far beyond typical study abroad operators.

We book lodging at locally-run hotels and guesthouses where students can engage with staff and practice language skills in authentic settings. Accommodations typically feature air-conditioning and/or fans with mosquito nets. Depending on your program’s educational goals and the time of year, we can also arrange homestays with local families or even tent camping in the desert. All accommodations are carefully vetted for safety, comfort, and cultural learning opportunities.

Student safety is our absolute priority. We maintain comprehensive liability insurance coverage up to $2M and can add your institution as an additional insured. We require all participants to purchase Travel and Medical Evacuation Insurance. We monitor US State Department advisories (Senegal is currently rated Level 1 – “exercise normal precautions”), register all groups with the STEP program, and maintain 24/7 emergency contact protocols with both local and US-based support. Every student receives an emergency card with local emergency numbers, US Embassy contacts, medical services, and Vive staff contacts. We also conduct pre-departure health and safety briefings covering vaccinations, anti-malarial medicine, water safety, and cultural considerations.

Our programs emphasize authentic cultural engagement through genuine personal connections built over years. Students interact one-on-one and in small groups with Senegalese students, educators, writers, researchers, artists, griots (traditional storytellers), and families. Activities include meaningful community service like beach clean-ups with environmental activists, supporting local educational initiatives, home hospitality experiences, guest lectures from professors and cultural practitioners, and participation in local events. These experiences go far beyond surface-level tourism to create transformational learning.

We provide complete cost transparency with detailed breakdowns showing what is included versus additional expenses students should expect. Typical inclusions cover accommodations, daily transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles with professional drivers, airport transfers, most meals, all scheduled cultural and educational activities, expert guides and guest speakers, pre-departure preparation (3-5 Zoom meetings), 24/7 bilingual staff support, and all entrance fees for planned visits. We clearly outline payment schedules and refund policies, and work with your institution to determine whether students pay directly or through your university’s payment system.

One of Vive’s distinctive advantages is our adaptive programming. While we create detailed itineraries that balance cultural, educational, and historical visits to maximize language learning goals, we maintain the flexibility to accommodate last-minute adjustments for local events announced with short notice. This ensures each trip captures the living culture of Senegal. We work with your faculty to customize the itinerary to meet your specific learning objectives, whether that’s emphasizing literature, history, environmental issues, education systems, or other focus areas.

We offer comprehensive administrative assistance throughout the entire process. For recruitment, we provide Zoom information sessions to prospective students and marketing materials to help promote your program. Pre-departure preparation includes 3-5 meetings covering cultural orientation, safety briefings, language review, and an introduction to Wolof (Senegal’s national language). We also coordinate with your faculty liaisons and provide ongoing support for accompanying university staff. Post-program, we can assist with alumni networks and continued engagement opportunities.

For Senegal programs, students should bring one small to medium suitcase and one smaller backpack, avoiding 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, without holes, and knee-length or longer (except at beaches or poolside). Students may need a lightweight sweater for cooler nights or air-conditioned spaces. A detailed packing list is provided to all participants closer to departure. Students can hand wash clothes as needed, and we typically arrange for laundry service once during the trip.