Students pitch Senegal immersion trip; board to consider formal approval at next meeting

Students, district staff and community partners presented an educational immersion trip to Senegal at the Nov. 19 Schenectady City School District board meeting, describing academic activities, safety steps and costs for the proposed program.

Presenters said the trip is linked to district curriculum goals—language development, global awareness and cultural competency—and identified planned activities including school visits in Dakar (a public school, a private Catholic school and an international bilingual school), museum visits to sites such as Gorée Island and the Musée de la Civilisation Africaine, classroom interviews, reflection journals and cross‑cultural writing. A presenter described partner arrangements with local hosts and school leadership in Senegal and said host institutions will receive students and provide guided academic experiences.

Presenters reported the planned group will include eight students and three to four adults; estimated per‑student cost is approximately $3,500, covering round‑trip airfare, in‑country transport, lodging, meals and site fees. Students will be responsible for passports, required vaccinations, medical‑evacuation insurance and incidental personal expenses. The team said it consulted the U.S. Department of State advisory system (stating Senegal at travel advisory level 1, “exercise normal precautions”) and will enroll participants in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Presenters also described using GeoBlue medical coverage, and said passports would be secured in hotel safes while in country.

Board members asked about language preparation (years of French study varied among students), pre‑departure orientation content (safety drills, cultural coaching, group routines and guidance on local norms), and family engagement and fundraising options. Several board members praised the student presenters and offered to help identify financial supports. During the meeting staff said the district will place an approval resolution on the next board agenda; no formal approval or vote on the trip occurred on Nov. 19.

“We will be working with the Department of Education,” one presenter said of host‑country coordination, and a Union College faculty member who runs a recurring study‑abroad program in Senegal described program logistics and GeoBlue insurance support as part of a multi‑institution package. Several students emphasized personal and family connections: “This project is really important to me because I think something about my education is that I value that it's immersive,” Liza Mullen said, while other students cited cultural learning and family history as motivations.

Next steps identified in the meeting record: staff will prepare a formal resolution for the board to consider at the next meeting, clarify the approval pathway required by district policy, and return with any requested additional documentation on safety and financing.