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Students pitch Senegal immersion trip; board to consider formal approval at next meeting
Summary
Schenectady students and community partners presented an immersion trip to Senegal, citing curricular links, language practice and cultural learning; presenters described itinerary, safety steps (STEP registration, GeoBlue insurance) and a per-student cost of $3,500; the board plans a resolution at the next meeting.
Students and community partners presented a planned Senegal immersion trip to the Schenectady City School District board on Nov. 19, describing academic goals, partner schools in Senegal and planned cultural and language activities.
Presenters tied the trip to district policies on field trips and DEI and said the itinerary includes visits to Dakar-area schools, the Île de Gorée and several museums to support study of the African diaspora. "This project is really important to me because I think something about my education is that I value that it's immersive," said Liza Mullen, an 11th-grade student, describing why the experience matters for language and cultural learning. Other students, including Amir Miles and Fanta Sisi, described hopes to deepen language skills, research history and build cross-cultural connections.
Presenters outlined logistics and safety steps: they reported eight students will travel with approximately three to four adult chaperones; the per-student cost was stated as $3,500 to cover round-trip airfare (regional connections via Albany to JFK and then a direct flight to Dakar), in-country transportation, lodging, meals and site fees. The team said students will be responsible for passports, vaccinations and medical-evacuation insurance. They plan to register travelers with the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and to coordinate with the U.S. embassy in the region. A Union College faculty member who runs an established Senegal program described using GeoBlue insurance and local medical contacts when taking students overseas.
Board members asked operational questions about passport storage and predeparture orientation. Presenters said passports would be secured in hotel safes when available and described a pre-departure orientation that will cover safety drills, group routines, cultural norms and what to pack and wear. Board members also offered to help reduce family financial burden; one member said she would like to support tokens or fundraising for the students.
The board did not take formal action on the trip at the Nov. 19 meeting; the transcript records that a resolution to approve the trip will be placed on the agenda at the board's next meeting for formal consideration.
