Full Version: Living in Africa: American expat Amy's life with her family in Dakar, Senegal

Living in Africa: American expat Amy's life with her family in Dakar, Senegal

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Living in a third world country has its ups and downs as American woman Amy has discovered during the three years she and her family have been living in Dakar, Senegal. Beyond the poverty and other socioeconomic problems though, there are numerous treasures to be found in this African nation, such its warm people, abundance of recreational options, and the wealth of sights to see and experience.
  
Amy Johnson



-Where were you born?
Norman, Oklahoma, USA, but I spent most of my life in Texas.

-In which country and city are you living now?
Dakar, Senegal

-Are you living alone or with your family?
With my husband and 11-year-old daughter.

-How long have you been living in Senegal?
3 years

-What is your age?
Long enough to have practiced law for a while.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Senegal?
My husband was a Peace Corps volunteers years ago in Zaire. He took the MCATs in Zaire and became a doctor because he wanted to return to Africa as the Peace Corps doctor. We also wanted our daughter to see another part of the world and learn a language.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
No, but we are part of the official American community, so we did none of this work.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
Again, our medical insurance is through the U.S. government.

-How do you make your living in Senegal? Do you have any type of income generated?
My husband is the regional doctor for the U.S. Peace Corps. He applied for the job in the U.S. and found their job positing on the website. Since we've been here, I have taught as an adjunct professor at Suffolk University.

-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
You must speak French or the local language, which is Wolof. Otherwise, you can't communicate. You cannot get by on English. When I got here, I spoke no French. I could communicate with the Americans, a lot of ex-pats, but maybe a handful of Senegalese and French. Now, my French is much better.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
Of course. Mostly, I wish I were near my parents. But we keep in touch with them regularly through phone calls (voice over internet), Skype and e-mail. There are things I can't do here -- for instance, in Austin, I used to row on a lake. But instead, I play tennis with a coach who once competed in a Davis Cup competition.

-Do you have other plans for the future?
We'll be in Africa for another few years. And then we don't know. We are at the point of our life where our comings and goings are greatly influenced by our daughter's education.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
Our housing is paid for by the employer, so I don't know the cost.

-What is the cost of living in Senegal?
Anything that is imported or from the developed world is very expensive. For instance, I'll splurge now and then and buy an $8 artichoke. Otherwise, the cost-of-living is relatively expensive, depending on how you want to live.



-What do you think about the Senegalese people?
The Senegalese are an energetic, warm, and friendly people. They have strong, connected families and a rich vibrant culture that encourages creativity. They are also extremely poor, so when you arrive at the airport or walk down the street, you see dozens of people afflicted with polio, and people beg for money and can be relentless. As a matter of etiquette, you are expected to greet people on the street. Generally, they are smiling, and if you smile back, you have wonderful greetings with strangers on the street.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Senegal?
A family can live a wonderful life in Senegal. Senegal is on the coast, so you can always body surf, surf, fish, scuba dive, snorkel or simply swim at the beach. There is an active, social, connected expatriate community. There is a women's group for English speakers, the Dakar Women's Group, and an international women's group. There are concerts, art exhibits, fashion shows, live music, restaurants.

Probably most of the problems of Dakar exist in any third world country. Infrastructure problems. Electricity doesn't work all the time; you need a generator. The water won't work. Traffic can be a nightmare. The country is littered, and the rank odor of trash and open sewage is a smell you get used to. You plan to do three things, but you only accomplish one because all kinds of obstacles get in your way. You are cooking and want an ingredient that is never available, or just isn't in the stores at the moment.
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But the good side of that is that you learn to be flexible and creative.

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-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Senegal?
Learn French before you come. Travel around Senegal: sleep in the sand dunes and the baobabs. Travel around the region: go to Mali, Mauritania, Cape Verte. Go to a concert at the French Cultural Center. Discover the local designers who make clothes and design some of your own. Buy the Dakar Women's Group handbook, which gives practical information about anything from doctors to grocery stores to beach resorts. Have a relaxed attitude about life. You'll feel guilty having a housekeeper, but you'll make a difference in her life, and she'll make one in yours. Take health issues seriously, like malaria and cuts. There is a big enough ex-pat world, that if you have specific questions, you should be able to ask people here. And with the internet, you should be able to ask before you come.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Senegal?
Peace Corps Writers

ausenegal.com

Our site is savagebeasts (go back in time).

Resdagboken (in Swedish)