"I speak English"

Our journey began in D.C. but It didn't feel like the trip had started until we landed at Paris de Galle airport for our 8 hour layover. We stayed at the airport for the duration of the wait and it was there that we got our first taste of what the language barrier would be like in Senegal. Most of the layover was spent either sleeping or searching for WiFi both of which were met with mixed results. However, the most rewarding experience for me came from what maybe deemed by some as failure. On a couple of occasions some Parisians began conversing with me in French and I replied back with either a perplexed look or the phrase “I speak English.” What came next surprised me. Instead of mocking me we ended up laughing together at the mishap and they even began to engage me in English. Now reflecting on those moments I now realize that language isn't an obstacle but a powerful tool to connect with more people than ever before. Hopefully by the end of this trip I will be able to speak French and Wolof so I can broaden my network of connections!

After we arrived in Senegal and got settled in our apartment we were treated to our first meal at a local restaurant. The food we ate was very similar to American dishes such as hamburgers, fries, and sandwiches with differences in only one or two ingredients such as fried eggs, and pork meat. Overall the meal was very delicious! The next day, we did some exploring and observed how the Senegalese enjoy their Sundays by playing soccer, riding the car rapide (pictured below) in large numbers, and preparing for the coming work week.

On Monday we took a tour of the Ecole Superior Polytechnique (ESP) of the Universite Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) and met with some of the faculty and directors. Unfortunately, my research mentor is away at a research conference for the week so my research project is delayed until next week. However, I was able to use my free time to thoroughly read and understand the materials regarding my research project which seeks to understand the pathogenesis of the bacteria Helio pylori by using plasmid vectors. In addition to increasing my scientific knowledge I had the opportunity to increase my cultural knowledge when we visited the African Renaissance monument (pictured below) which offered a breathtaking interpretation of the African diaspora. The man represents liberty and the woman is pointing to the past while the baby is pointing to the future,

One constant throughout this experience has been the camaraderie that I have formed with my teammates. Once we arrived in Senegal we quickly realized that if we were going to thrive in our new environment that we would need to stick together and develop as a unit. Through the adventures of getting our baggage, exchanging money, finding Wi-FI, getting food, communicating with the Senegalese people, and adjusting to our new accommodations my team members have been a strong source of familiarity and strength in navigating through simple but difficult tasks. I can't wait to share more adventures in the coming weeks but until then Au revoir!