February 19, 2007
Study Abroad program to travel to Senegal during spring break
Augusta, Ga. - Ten Augusta State University students will get the opportunity to study abroad while honing their writing skills in a week-long study abroad program to Senegal, West Africa, from March 28-April 5.
The group plans to visit a basketball academy in Senegal that develops talents of young men wanting careers in the United States. The collaboration with the Sports for Education and Economic Development (SEED) academy and ASU was proposed by Nita Wiggins, an ‘86 communications graduate who is now a sportscaster with Fox 4 TV in Dallas.
“We were invited to work with the SEED Academy by Ms. Wiggins and its founder, the director of scouting for the Dallas Mavericks, Amadou Gallo Fall,” says Holly Carter, assistant vice president for international affairs.
“Ms. Wiggins brought the idea to us,” says Dr. Carter. “In this study abroad program, ASU students will go to Senegal to interview the young men who attend the academy. The students will write articles about the young athletes and about the travel abroad experience which will be published locally and nationally,” she says.
“This will not only give ASU students a once in a lifetime opportunity to study abroad at a low cost, it will also enrich their writing portfolios,” she adds.
The low cost for the trip, $500, includes round trip airfare from Atlanta to Dakar, Senegal, shared hotel rooms for every night in Senegal, transfers to and from the hotels, and an international student identity card.
“The trip actually costs $3,000, but the additional cost is being funded through a grant from the United Nations office in Senegal. The grant makes it possible to offer each student a $2,500 scholarship to make up the difference,” says Dr. Carter. “It’s because of this funding that we are able to offer the trip,” she says.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for ASU students, and we are grateful to Ms. Wiggins, the Dallas Mavericks, and the United Nations for making it possible,” says Dr. Carter.
This is the first trip of its kind to be offered in ASU’s Study Abroad program. For more information, contact the Study Abroad office at 706-729-2306.