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Arts, Language, and Cultural Immersion

We believe the future belongs to those who speak the most languages, not those who speak the most widely spoken language.

Program Description:
Don’t just go to Mali be in Mali! Travel through the country’s “twelve doors” to gain in-depth knowledge of its cultures through total cultural immersion. Learn French and Bamanankan, or Bambara, the dominant local language, through academic seminars and direct interaction with Malians to develop and build on cross-cultural exposure and the experience necessary to give you a competitive edge upon graduation. This program starts in Bamako with intensive language immersion in Bambara and French, after which students will explore and participate in forums and workshops with prominent individuals and organizations. The homestay phase will allow a much deeper understanding of Malian culture. Apply what you have learned by participating in local radio shows, tutoring high school students, and important cultural evenst such as story-telling sessions, weddings and naming ceremonies. By the time you return from this study-abroad program you will be one of the very few people who know what we mean by the “twelve doors” of Mali, and that is not to be taken for granted.

Exploring Mali In and Out
“Mali is eternal. To convince yourself of what I have said go to Mali.” These are the words of Djéli Mamoudou Diabaté from Djibril’s T. Niane’s book Soundiata, an epic tale of old Mali. Mali enjoys a rarefied status around the world in terms of arts and culture. Very few people have not heard of legendary Timbuktu, the Malian Empire, the Festival in the Desert, the Ghana Empire...and the list goes on. With its young democracy, Mali is meeting the challenges of globalization head-on while trying to maintain a balance between ancient cultures and 21st-century realities such as GMO’s, structural adjustment, and the global economic crisis. The cultural diversity in Mali is obvious at first-sight--from its architecture to its people, from its landscapes to its languages. For example, the Great Mosque of Djénné, Dogon country, and Timbuktu have been named UNESCO World Heritage sites because of their cultural importance. The ancient empires of Ghana and Mali have greatly contributed to world history. Through academic seminars and field study, students will have the opportunity to explore the issues, hopes, and assets of Mali in the midst of this increasing globalization. This module’s courses, academic seminars, and field study allow students to study and expand their creative side through various art forms, through critical thinking, and through greater cross-cultural understanding.

From its origins in the ancient Empire of Mali to its international influences on today’s world-music scene, Malian music mirrors the beautiful soul of its people. Further, her songs and rhythms reveal lyrical mythology, intricate genealogy, oral history, and evolving trends among the diverse peoples of both the former empire and the modern nation. Every year, Malian musicians such as Salif Keïta, Habib Koité, Rokia Traoré, Amadou and Mariam, Oumou Sangaré, and Toumani Diabaté (to name just a few) continue to enchant venues across the globe and to rack up major awards. The internationally-renowned Festival in the Desert and the Festival on the Niger bring thousands of tourists yearly. Mali’s reputation as a land of deep-rooted history and diverse culture is no accident. Though documented by famous traditionalists such as Djibril Tamsir Niane, Joseph Ki Zerbo, and Amadou Hampaté Ba, Mali’s owes much of its fame and splendor to the griots, oral keepers of history and tradition. Students will learn about the jelis (griots) and their role in ancient and contemporary society.

This module’s courses, academic seminars, and field study employ a people-centered ethnography and dialogue-based exploration of the dynamics of Mali’s social order and culture through her music—from the elaborate masked dances of the Dogon and traditional desert vibes of the Tuareg to the politics of female pop singers and the globalized fusion of Bamako’s dance hall beats.

With full support and access to Maliba’s network of academics and professionals, students can put their cross cultural communication skills into practice and follow their passions and intellectual pursuits with a four-week independent study project. But beware—once seduced by her sounds, you are bound to fall in love with Mali!

Program Design:
Intensive Language Study in French, Intensive Language Study in Bambara, Academic Seminar, Field Study Seminar, four-week Independent Study Project; Six-week homestay in Bamako and a one-week village stay. Cultural and educational excursions to Djénné, Mopti, Ségou, Dogon cliff villages, Timbuktu, Mandé, Kayes, and Sikasso.

Core Subject Areas:
Music, Ethnography, Dance Anthropology, Sociology, African Studies, French, Interdisciplinary, Arts, and History.

Agriculture, Food Security, Environment and Development

Program Description:
In 2006, Malian farmers’ unanimously voted against the introduction of gernetically-modified foods to Mali! Find out what happened next during this study-abroad program. With the Sahara Desert expanding at an alarming rate, and the recent worldwide food crisis still lingering, Mali has taken some bold steps to drastically improve its chances of self-sufficiency by launching several key initiatives. The inland delta region of the Niger River has been referred to as the bread-basket of West Africa; students will have the opportunity to see for themselves if and how that can be achieved. This service-learning program offers students the opportunity to work on a sustainable farm in an eco-village in Mali while studying food crisis, food security, global inequity, trade policies, and alternative energy.

Program Design:
Intensive Language Study in French and Bambara, Academic Seminar, Field Study Seminar, four-week Independent Study Project; Six-week homestay in Bamako and a one-week village stay. Cultural and educational excursions to Djénné, Mopti, Ségou, Dogon cliff villages, Timbuktu, Mandé, Kayes, and Sikasso.

Subject Areas:
Agriculture, Environmental Studies, Agri-business, Gender/Women Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, African Studies, French, Interdisciplinary Studies, Sustainable Development, and Early Childhoood Education.

Public Health and Development

Program Description:
Still influenced by ancient traditions since the 5th century, Islam, the ever-present legacy of colonialism, and the complications of globalization, Mali is facing overwhelming difficulties from many fronts as a new democracy. None are more pressing than the ones covered in this program.

With a hands-on approach, students will have the opportunity to explore primary health care, public health, economic development, and capacity-building at the governmental as well as the grassroots level. This program will develop and test students’ understanding of Mali’s concerns in health sectors and the sustainable-development field. The relation between levels of poverty and health is also explored, including a review of current development theories and indicators. During theirinternship, students will have the opportunity to observe and collaborate with prominent professionals and leading organizations to gain hands-on experience.

Program Design:
Intensive Language Study in French and Bambara, Academic Seminar, Field Study Seminar, four-week Independent Study Project; Six-week homestay in Bamako and a one-week village stay. Cultural and educational excursions to Djénné, Mopti, Ségou, Dogon cliff villages, Timbuktu, Mandé, Kayes, and Sikasso.

Subject Areas:
Public Health, International Relations, Women Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, African Studies, French, Interdisciplinary, Sustainable Development, Early Childhoood Education, History.

Gender, Education, and Development

Program Description:
“Bamako” was the name of the 2007 critically acclaimed movie for a reason: Mali, with its young democracy is making great strides in meeting the challenges of the new Millennium and creating an atmosphere of hope amidst obstacles and uncertainties of globalization. Students will study women's roles, in family, community, and economic development. The program will display the link between the gender issues and sustainable development in a country constantly listed as an examplary case of progress and resiliency in the face of development issues. Students will also explore both sides of the spectrum of globalization especially the arguments and case studies around structural adjustment and development aid. Program Design:
Intensive Language Study: French, Intensive Language Study: Bambara, Academic Seminar, Field Study Seminar, four-week Independent Study Project; Six-week homestay in Bamako and a one-week village stay. Cultural and educational excursions to Djénné, Mopti, Ségou, Dogon cliff villages, Timbuktu, Mandé, Kayes, and Sikasso.

Subject Areas:
Women Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, African Studies, French, Interdisciplinary, Sustainable Development, Early Childhoood Education, History.

Deadlines:
Fall semester: June 1
Spring Semester: November 15
Summer term: March 30