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Program
Description
After you arrive
and settle in, you begin a one-week orientation to the land, language
(Mandinka or Wolof), people and their environment. Because you are living
as a Gambian, you will probably find yourself quickly learning many
new skills, including how to carry almost anything on your head. You’ll
also get to tour the capital city of Banjul, practice your bargaining
skills, and visit Leybato, a gorgeous beach that attracts many European
tourists, and Paradise Beach at Sanyang, a more secluded beach where
Fula drummers can be found entertaining often.
You live with fellow
interns in a village, and get served traditional meals by your host
family who live just across from you. Besides kindness and helpfulness
you’ll never forget, you’ll find yourself with much more
modest conditions than you’re used to—and you’ll learn
to love the simple life. You’re less than a 10-minute ride from
your school, and within walking distance of a local Internet café
and bustling outdoor market with tailors, food vendors, and skilled
woodcarvers.
Your language tutor, a Peace Corps trainer, will visit your house and
immerse you in the local language. During your week of language lessons
you will also meet Peace Corps directors and volunteers, faculty and
administration at the University of The Gambia and Gambia College, and
colleagues at the school in which you will be teaching.
Soon after, you will be presented with a few options regarding your
teaching schedule, given curriculum guides, and introduced to your students.
Elementary and Junior Secondary teachers (K-9) will teach in the mornings,
while Senior Secondary teachers will teach in the afternoons (10-12).
The official language of The Gambia is English, which is the language
of instruction in the classroom. Immediately your students will welcome
your unique teaching style and sincerity for helping their developing
country.
In addition to your students, you will find yourself welcomed by your
Gambian neighbors—who will frequently invite you to weddings,
naming ceremonies, and dinners. Your internship will include the month
of Ramadan, and you will get to experience one of the major Muslim holidays
firsthand. At the end of the Ramadan, you will see what seems like a
major awakening of the Gambia as the multi-day Koriteh feasting and
celebrating is such a change from the quiet, devout prayer and fasting
that had absorbed the previous month.
The term begins in early October (fall break) and continues to mid-December
(exams take place during the second week of December). In addition to
your teaching, you can choose to begin new programs or engage in research
that will fuel your SMP. The language and cross-cultural course you
began during orientation will continue on a weekly basis until classes
are over, so that you can continue to improve your local language skills
and have an opportunity to discuss issues that are important to you.
Altogether, you can earn 12-16 or more credits for the semester.
Ready to make a difference? Download
the information packet or application below.
Downloads:
Informational
Packet for Interested Students (.pdf)
Program Application
and Housing Form (.doc)
Handbook for Accepted Interns
(includes packing advice!) (.doc)
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