Savannah, sitting with the talibé children while playing a game at the Maison de la Gare center.
College Credit Volunteer Abroad Requirements and Opportunities: Make a Difference While You Build Your Transcript
Volunteering abroad is more than an opportunity to earn college credit—it’s a transformative journey that combines education with real-world impact.
The volunteer abroad programs at Maison de la Gare and Friends of Senegal are offered to college-age students looking to broaden their perspectives, make a lasting impact, and foster lifelong connections with other volunteers, staff, and the Senegalese that they get to know and work with.
Here’s what Savannah, a pre-med student, had to say about her experience volunteering at Maison de la Gare in Saint-Louis, Senegal.
“Coming out of my volunteer experience at Maison de la Gare, I feel much more mature and capable of helping others in the future. Public health has always been something I’ve been passionate about, and this summer has only made me realize just how much need is out there. As much as I feel good about what I did here working with the children, I am also cognizant of just how small of a role I played in the big picture of the problem. Turning around the situation for the children will never be in the hands of just one person. This is a mountain that’s going to take many, many hands to move.”
As you know, change is necessary for growth. As a college student volunteering abroad for school credit, you’ll gain a significant understanding of other cultures as you expand the horizons of your own worldview. We can promise you that you will leave Senegal deeply affected by what you have seen, done, and learned. And you will have touched the lives of those with whom you work.
Maison de la Gare and Friends of Senegal invite you to explore the credit requirements and opportunities available at your college or university for volunteering abroad. While you do, consider what you’ll gain as a college credit volunteer and the legacy of hope and change you’ll leave behind.
Why Should Students Volunteer Abroad for College Credit?
Volunteering abroad is a deeply enriching experience that can resonate with a college student’s early adulthood well into their working life. There are many reasons that volunteer abroad opportunities are invaluable experiences for college students.:
Broadening Your Worldview
Participating in international volunteer programs offers a unique perspective on different cultures and traditions, which is beyond what one can experience from more ordinary travel.
When you join a volunteer abroad program, you experience the lifestyles, beliefs, and customs of the people you are with. These programs allow you to engage with local communities, learn from them, and develop a deeper understanding of their way of life, not to mention acquiring a deeper understanding of yourself and how you will choose to spend your precious life on this planet.
Developing New Skills
Volunteering abroad for college credit also presents a valuable opportunity to gain new skills while learning about diverse cultures and customs. From soft skills like communication and teamwork to skills relevant to their future career in business, medicine, or education, volunteering abroad for college credit will also help you develop transferable skills that will enhance your education and your entire journey through life.
Valuable Insight Into Prospective Career Fields
Many universities acknowledge the potential benefits of volunteering abroad and offer academic credit for participation in such programs. Additionally, volunteering abroad allows students to gain credit through hands-on experience in their chosen field, apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations, and understand how cultural factors influence global issues. Volunteering abroad also offers valuable insights into international relations, global economics, politics, and beyond.
College Credit Volunteer Abroad Opportunities With Friends of Senegal and Maison de la Gare
Maison de la Gare, partnered with Friends of Senegal, offers a range of programs to support talibé children and men and women in their development and growth. Our programs include the following:
- Microfinance: Older talibés can engage in income-generating activities like poultry farming, selling goods on the street or from a kiosk, or managing a small business. The program is also open to men and women within the Saint-Louis community to increase their income by as much as 100% after receiving business courses and an interest-free microfinance loan. Volunteers help teach business skills, math, accounting, and creating loan proposals. An intermediate level of French and a business background or education are necessary to be a good fit for this program. It is the perfect opportunity for aspiring students to employ what they have learned in their studies for a greater cause.
- Education: Talibé children often miss out on formal education, especially French. Volunteers support local teachers in French, English, math, civic education, and creative activities. Adequate French competency is required, so French majors or French-speaking students studying to become teachers are very much welcomed into this program.
- Health: Volunteers assist with medical care and hygiene for the children, responding to urgent health needs and supporting long-term wellness. Basic first aid training is a must, making medical and nursing students perfect candidates.
- Gardening and Site Development: Volunteers maintain the center’s facilities and gardens, which contribute to the children’s growth and well-being. This volunteer program is excellent for students involved in agriculture or urban planning studies.
- Sports: The sports program offers physical outlets like soccer, wrestling, and karate, which are vital for the children’s growth, health, and enjoyment. Volunteers in this program need to have some experience in sports coaching and child safety. It is an ideal position for college athletes or students involved in sports physical therapy programs.
- Art, Music & Excursions: Volunteers teach arts and music, fostering creativity and self-expression. The program also includes excursions to broaden the children’s perspectives and add a little fun and adventure to their daily routines. This volunteer opportunity is perfect for a student involved in children’s studies or social services.
Each program aims to empower talibés and others within Senegal to obtain and cultivate practical skills for their futures, fostering both personal and community development.
What Are the Requirements To Volunteer Abroad for College Credit?
Here’s how you can get started on your college credit volunteer abroad opportunity with MDG and FOS:
Contact Your Academic Advisor
While Maison de la Gare and Friends of Senegal do not have an official college credit volunteer abroad program, we will be happy to work with your academic advisor to determine how volunteering with us may earn you college credits. Begin this process by asking your advisor about the qualifications and requirements for volunteering for college credit.
Research Volunteer Organizations
Not all volunteer programs are the same. You will want to do your research to find the right program that will earn you credits, align with your values and ideals, and allow you to deploy your education and skillset developed through your studies. Another factor that may affect where you volunteer is location. Volunteer opportunities abroad are not exactly a vacation, but you will get an incredible chance to explore new cultures, take in new sights, and broaden your worldview.
Create a Plan To Align Your Volunteer Work With Your Schooling
You will need to decide everything from when you will go, what form of work will be involved in earning the credit (strictly volunteer hours or an accompanying paper or thesis,) and whether you will attend the program alone or in a group situation. Your course instructors and academic advisors will be vital in helping you develop a plan that fits your coursework. Friends of Senegal and Maison de la Gare coordinators will gladly supply additional details to help you build your action plan.
Figure Out How To Pay for Your Trip
Most volunteer abroad opportunities involve a program fee. Maison de la Gare and Friends of Senegal’s fee structure is among the lowest you will find because we want to make it available to students of all economic backgrounds. Fees help support our important work.
Your university may cover some of the costs, or you may be able to obtain a scholarship through another institution.
Ensure Appropriate Documentation for Each Step
Your individual university may require you to fill out certain forms that the volunteer organization must approve. Depending on the length of stay, some volunteers will need to obtain a tourist visa. A valid passport is necessary for international travel. Some organizations require a background check, so be sure to submit the proper documentation and ensure all forms of identification are up to date.
This is what Taylor, who was a College Intern, Had To Say About Working With Maison de la Gare
Taylor, sitting with one of her patients
“Working with Maison de la Gare was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life so far. Saint Louis is a beautiful, historic town filled with extraordinary, welcoming, and joyful people. I would always be greeted by smiling faces whenever I walked across the bridge to visit the downtown area. Downtown was a great place to swim in the hotel pools, eat delicious food from restaurants, and spend the night out dancing in clubs.
My host family was amazing and treated me with care and warmth every day by feeding me great food and making sure I was always happy. The house I stayed in was very nice and I had no issues with anything in the room or bathroom. Even though I definitely had to adjust to the cold water all the time, I actually ended up appreciating it after coming inside from the heat of the sun.
The staff members at Maison de la Gare are people I now consider family and very near to my heart. They were always there to comfort and entertain me with their daily jovial auras and made coming to the center every day even more enjoyable! Treating the talibé boys in the clinic was a very rewarding and extremely insightful experience as they constantly showed their appreciation for my help. They would always smile and call for me, even as I would walk around downtown or on my way home. It felt nice to have little friends everywhere I went.
Being a pre-medicine major, this was a perfect place to intern for the summer as I got daily hands-on, first-aid patient care experience that I will take with me for the rest of my career.
I can honestly say that I love Saint-Louis and Maison de la Gare and plan on returning very soon!”
You can check out Taylor’s story here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting College Credit To Volunteer Abroad
How Many Credits Can I Earn By Volunteering Abroad?
The number of credits you can earn by volunteering abroad with Friends of Senegal and Maison de la Gare will depend on your school and how long you stay. We’d love to help you and your academic advisor work out a plan that allows you to earn credits through your volunteer experience with us.
How Much Does It Cost To Volunteer With Friends of Senegal and Maison de la Gare?
As private, non-profit organizations independent of government and religious funding, Friends of Senegal’s and Maison de la Gare’s programs are financed and run entirely by volunteer and donor contributions.
Below are the fees for volunteering or interning with us.
| Fees for Host Family Accommodation | 2 Weeks | First Month | Each Additional Month | Example for Three Month Stay |
| Euros € | 690 € | 940 € | 580 € | 2,100 € |
| $US | $760 | $1030 | $630 | $2,290 |
| U.K. £ | 590 £ | 810 £ | 500 £ | 1,810 £ |
Additional information about these fees includes:
- All fees include a reception at the airport, transportation Dakar-Saint Louis-Dakar, lodging near the airport if needed, accommodation with the host family, and contributing to program expenses.
- Host family accommodation includes three meals per day.
- The fee per person for the first month or less is reduced by 135 € / $150 / £115 for two volunteers who register and travel together.
- If alternative accommodation is desired (e.g., auberge), please request information from us.
- Upon acceptance of your application, a 15% deposit is required, with the balance due one month before your arrival. Please contact us for more information or if you have any questions about our program.
How Do I Find the Best Volunteer Programs for College Students?
When looking for a volunteer program for college students, consider the following factors:
- Organizational match: Ensure the organization and its mission align with your best values and interests. Your role should be an ideal match for your skills and qualifications. Do extensive research. Talk to people within the organization and read about other volunteer’s experiences with the program.
- Personal expectations: Consider what you hope to gain from your volunteer abroad experience. Does the organization or program you’re interested in seem likely to meet your needs and expectations? While Maison de la Gare offers multiple programs, we are happy to let volunteers try out several roles they are qualified for before settling into one or another (or sometimes several!).
- Time commitment: How much time will you devote to your volunteer abroad experience? Some volunteers stay for two weeks, while others stay as long as two months. We will gladly help you determine what will work best for you.
- Transportation: Will you have a secure transportation plan arranged by the organization that you volunteer for? Travel abroad opportunities involve traveling in a myriad of ways depending on your location and where you want to volunteer. Maison de la Gare and Friends of Senegal arrange transportation for volunteers as soon they land in Senegal. Arranging your own flight and travel plans prior is up to you, but be sure to inform and update your MDG coordinators with your travel plans so that we can be of maximum help to you.
- Your comfort level around groups of people, children, and demanding situations that are new to you: Senegal is a friendly country, and people are grateful that you have chosen to help those in need. MDG has worked very hard to maintain a positive relationship with the Saint-Louis community, which will add to your positive experience. While we do our best to make volunteers aware of the best policies and practices, you will be expected to be diplomatic and observe a high level of professionalism at all times.
Begin Your College Credit Volunteer Abroad Experience With Friends of Senegal and Maison de la Gare Today
Friends of Senegal has partnered with Maison de la Gare to expand the reach of these programs to potential volunteers and donors from North America and Europe. We welcome your application to work in one or more of our volunteer opportunities. For business students and those with business experience, volunteering in the microfinance loan program is a worthwhile challenge and an unforgettable experience.
As a microfinance volunteer, you will assist potential borrowers in strengthening essential skills, such as basic math, accounting principles, and marketing strategies. You will guide them in developing strong project proposals and provide ongoing support and evaluation after loans are granted. An intermediate level of French and an eagerness to apply what you have learned so far in business or in business school is a must!
Volunteers with Maison de la Gare and Friends of Senegal can stay with a host family, at an inexpensive auberge, or in one of the nice hotels in town. Your first few days in Saint-Louis will involve getting settled in, meeting the staff, and deciding how much time you spend in the programs that interest you. We encourage potential volunteers to reach out to learn more today.
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