Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Freshman or Above
Location: Africa, Senegal
GPA: 2.75

Program Overview

Location Overview:

Jutting out of the western coast of Senegal into the Atlantic ocean, the capital city of Dakar is edged with beautiful beaches, filled with bustling open-air markets, and enlivened by mbolox music once the sun sets. Dakar is one of the most popular tourist destinations in West Africa for its colorful colonial architecture, remote beaches, and rivieras teeming with wildlife just outside the city.

While the official language of Senegal is French, there are over 30 indigenous languages spoken, the most common being Wolof. Dakar has experienced significant economic growth in recent years, serving as a key port and center for traditional industries such as manufacturing and food processing in West Africa. The city is also a modern economic hub, recognized as the fashion capital of West Africa and a leading tourist destination.

What is GlobalWorks?

GlobalWorks internships are personalized internship programs that bring you out of the country, and into the workplace. We connect academic study with real-world experiences by providing full-time international internship opportunities to UO students in various career fields. Working with local professional internship providers in locations around the world, we provide individualized placements for UO students. Students earn UO credits and life-changing work experience in a different culture. Immerse yourself in a new city, earn UO course credits, and gain professional experience with a GlobalWorks internship.

Internship Career Fields:

Note that our vendor in Senegal may be able to accommodate additional career fields, but in the past students have done work at an NGO alongside a local faculty member. 

Dates and Deadlines

 
TermYearDeadlineArrival DateDeparture Date
Spring202512/01/2024Early AprilLate May
Summer202501/15/2025 Mid JulyMid September

How to apply: 

Apply to UO GlobalWorks International Internship programs by clicking the “Start an Application.” You can open an application to view all the materials you’ll need before you submit. Late applications may be accepted based on position availability but note that for some terms and locations the program can be very competitive. After review by the University, students will need to interview with our third-party provider for final acceptance. For more information, view the full GlobalWorks application steps here. Note that you only need to submit one application per term for GlobalWorks and can identify alternate locations within the application. 

This program is less than 90 days. Students with a US passport traveling to this location do not require a travel visa for this program. 

If you are not a US Citizen: Notify your GlobalWorks Advisor. Students who are not US citizens should contact the consulate in their country of residence about visa requirements, no matter the duration of the program of study.

Hear from Our Students

A new and immersive experience

A man rides a camel
For my Spring 2023 internship in Dakar, Senegal, I spent two months working with GEEP, an NGO that works on issues of youth development and public health, particularly with respect to sexual health… read more

Challenging Preconceptions in the Land of Teraanga: NGO Work and French Study in Senegal

Four people sitting together on a boat with the flag of Senegal visible in the background. They are smiling and appear to be enjoying their time on the water.
When I decided to intern in Senegal for two months this spring, I didn’t quite know what to expect. It would be my first time in Africa and my first visit to a French-speaking country, despite having… read more

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Housing Description

In Senegal, students are placed with carefully screened host families located within walking distance of the Baobab Center. Prior to arrival, students complete a profile questionnaire, which helps the Baobab Center staff match them with a family best suited to their preferences and needs. Host families are selected by ACI and are well-prepared to accommodate the dietary and hygiene expectations of Western students.

Students typically spend their first few days in a furnished apartment near the Baobab Center to rest from travel, build community with fellow participants, and prepare for the homestay experience. During this time, students receive guidance on expectations and communication strategies. After the first night with their host families, students reconvene to reflect and address any initial concerns with program coordinators. The homestay is often cited as one of the most meaningful and culturally immersive aspects of the program.

Note that housing may vary from term to term and from provider to provider.