The Institute for Decolonial Engagement and African Studies (IDEAS) is a student exchange program offering semester, summer, and faculty-led programs in Senegal and Uganda, grounded in decolonial approaches to knowledge, culture, and learning.

Primarily in Dakar/St. Louis, Senegal, with a Young Scholars summer program in Kampala, Uganda.

Homestays are a required academic component, and coursework is designed from an Africa-centered.

Summer Programs (6 weeks, 6 credits), Semester Programs (15 weeks, 15 U.S. credits), and Faculty-Led Programs for visiting instructors who want to bring their own course to Senegal.

African Studies, Francophone Studies, French Language, Wolof, and (summer only, Uganda) the Young Scholars Program.

African Studies courses are taught in English; Francophone Studies and language-immersion tracks (French, Wolof) are taught in French/Wolof.

Semester programs carry 15 U.S. academic credits and summer programs 6 credits; check transfer policies with your own registrar.

Three partnership tiers: IDEAS designs and runs the whole program, a hybrid model where you design the course and IDEAS supports what you need, or a logistics-only model where you teach and IDEAS handles housing/transport.

Yes, it’s required for all programs, vetted families in Dakar, with a private or shared room and daily home-cooked meals.

No — it’s treated as a core academic component, not optional accommodation.

On-site orientation, cultural activities and events, day trips/weekend excursions, volunteer opportunities, and a “tandem linguistique” conversation partner from a Senegalese university.

Semester: $7,000. Summer (Senegal): $17,500. Summer Young Scholars (Uganda): $5,500. Academic Year: TBA. The tuition includes academic instruction, program coordination, housing and meals, and on-site academic/logistical It does not International flights, visa processing, medical insurance/immunizations, and personal spending.

$500 deposit upon acceptance; remaining balance due by May 1 for summer.

Through the online application form: personal info, institution, GPA, program location/type, academic track, and French proficiency level or download and send your application at admissions@decolonialafrica.org

The form asks for current GPA and requires a French proficiency level (Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced) for Senegal tracks, but no published minimum threshold.

Undergraduates, graduate students, and recent