Fun fact about me: I sometimes have a compulsive need to prepare and overprepare for a ton of things (I once spent 7 months agonizing over what type of road bike to get only to impulse purchase one after walking into a store). Something as major as uprooting your entire life meant me obsessively trying to read as much as I could about Senegal and volunteer’s experiences as I possibly could because Peace Corps, bless their souls, doesn’t tell you much until staging. So, here are a couple resources for you to prepare and overthink about.
Let’s start with some easy ones:
www.peacecorps.gov/senegal/preparing-to-volunteer : The most technical advice you could receive about what to expect. It’s comprehensive but IMO lacks some personality (which is why they have the volunteer stories)
www.reddit.com/r/peacecorps : always a good resource for questions and community. Be sure to read the community guidelines, FAQ and utilize the search bar before you ask something that probably 15,000 people have already asked.
NOTE: Closer to your staging date a private Facebook group for your future stage will be created where you can ask hyper specific questions and get unsolicited (sometimes solicited) advice from currently serving volunteers. The page is always a hoot and be prepared for small requests for stuff being added to your luggage.
https://travelsenegal.wordpress.com : The authors of this blog are lost to the ages of time, but this is an EXCELLENT resource for traveling Senegal and all the attractions and need to know etiquette for Senegal.
Volunteer-run Blogs
Michele – Health Volunteer – Central Region of Kaffrine – ‘19 to ‘21: https://michelesofar.com
Claire – Health Volunteer – Southern Region of Kolda – ‘19 to ‘21:
Sam – Health Volunteer – Northern Region of Louga – ‘19 to ‘21
https://hophopribbit.wixsite.com/cookinupanadventure
Pat – Health Volunteer – Central Region of Kaffrine – ‘19 to ‘21:
https://patspostboutbaba.blogspot.com
Haley – Health Volunteer, later Health PCV Leader 2020 –Northern Region of Matam – ’18 to ‘20:
https://thoughtsjotsandgoatcartoonslifeinbokidiawe.wordpress.com
Nick – Health Volunteer –Central Region of Kaolack – ’18 to ‘20
https://bynickroll.wordpress.com
Amber – Community Economic Development (CED) Volunteer – Western Region of Fatick – ‘19 to ‘21
https://sizzlinsenegal.blogspot.com
Jenna – Health Volunteer – Northern Region of Louga – ’19 to ’21
Udodi – Community Economic Development (CED) Volunteer – Western Region of Diourbel – ’19 to ‘21
@chinyeloves
YouTube
Offie – Community Economic Development (CED) Volunteer – Central Region of Kaolack – ’19 to ’21
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGxfOesAkZXgExUwuhRioMA
Ty – Community Economic Development (CED) Volunteer – Southern Region of Kolda – ‘18 to ‘20:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOD8ewqRlEqHiTBpjXTP5A/featured
Yet another Senegal PCV blog 