Student Speak

Spring 2008

Name: Andrew Gaeckle
Class: Junior
Major: International Studies
Minors: French, environmental studies
Hometown: Parker, Colorado

You were one of Carolina's 734 students who studied abroad in 2006-07. Where did you go? I studied for a total of seven months in Senegal. In spring 2007, I spent the semester in Dakar, then came home for three weeks. I received a Dobson Scholarship from Student Life to study during the summer, so I used that to go back to Senegal, to the city of Bambey. I got back here just a few days before class started last fall.

What made you want to study there? I've always been interested in African studies, and I wanted to study in a francophone country. I went under a program by the Council for International Education Exchange with about 35 other students.

How would you describe Senegal? It is just a very hospitable place. There is a movement of peace there, people try to live in harmony with each other, and overall there is a slower pace to life than in America. There is also a huge disparity between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots'--you have rich people living right next to poor people.

What kinds of things did you do while you were there? While I was in Dakar, I volunteered at an elementary school and gave them advice on their teaching methods. The children there don't learn critical analysis skills; everything is dictated to them, so I tried to help them with that. I also spent a week with a guy from the Peace Corps. I took classes at a university there, and all the classes were taught in French. I also took a class in the Wolof language, which is also spoken in Senegal.

What was your favorite experience? The time I spent with my host family. The homestay was an amazing experience. The eldest son of a couple rented out the home, and there were lots of young people living there. I was able to see the changes from the older way of life in villages to the newer way of living, which is more American.

What are your plans for the future? I'm applying for a Fulbright scholarship this summer to do forestry research. I'm interested in economic development in West Africa, so I want to use forestry research as a tool for economic development in areas like reforestation.

2/08