Article about Ken\'s visits to Senegal

1. beyond boston//MADRID + DAKAR
BB DAKAR
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scidunt lorpercil in henibh etue dolorperos
TexT//Carolyn albee IMAGeS//Ken MarTIn
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For the past three years, Professor Martin has
taught a photojournalism class [name of course] at
SUDC. Students in Martin’s class create photo essays
documenting the people, landscape, village life, tradi-
tional rituals and ceremonies. One student wanted to
capture the life of fishermen in a small village and was
able to go out on the boats with them and get intimate
photographs of the fishermen and their families.
Many African students take the class as well
because it allows them to see the entire countryside.
“It is different than other classes because its nature is to
travel,” says Martin. Each student created an individual
portfolio and contributed to a group portfolio used for
exhibits in NESAD and the Ridgeway Gallery.
Living in a country so different from the United
States offers students an important opportunity for
learning beyond the classroom. While the culture
and economics of West Africa may be in sharp con-
trast to home, students learn from it and grow aca-
demically and personally. “I think our students find it
easy to adapt anywhere because they’re young, and
they’re adventurous,” says Martin. “You can answer
a lot of personal questions by going there, by seeing
the way other people do things. There’s an aspect of
discovery, of ‘What is this about?’”
Students can choose to live on campus in dor-
DAKAR, SENEGAL- WEST AFRICA
mitories or with a host family. They participate in all
aspects of Senegalese life, from the food and night-
life to learning how to negotiate cab fare. “You don’t
hail a cab, they come after you,” laughs Martin. “As
soon as you step in the street, five cabs will rush over
to you.” Learning some French is key for such prac-
SENEGAL’S coNtrAStS LEAd to A weAlth of KnowleDge for SuffoLk StudENtS tical things, but is also important in relating to the
Top: ignim el essi elis euguer ilit alit nulla feum vulla facidunt illum
essenim quat augue velit accum iure modolorper in et augue ercipsu locals, a big factor in Martin’s photojournalism class.
scidunt lorpercil in henibh etue dolorperos West AfricA is a land of contrasts—ancient “People are very friendly if you’re friendly, if you say
culture and traditions meld with new technology and the right things,” he says.
lifestyles to create a place that is a unique blend of Studying in Dakar gives students an experience
old and new. Dakar, Senegal is a crowded city on that changes their world view and how they see
the furthest edge of the West African coast, loud themselves in it. Martin also recognizes this as an
and heavy with smog and sand, but also lively and opportunity to represent America in a positive way.
DAKAR, SENEGAL
beautiful, with yellow basket weavers and other “We have ideas of what other people are and they
tropical birds darting in and out of marketplaces have stereotypes about us,” he says. “We’re working
where merchants hang fabrics of bright blue, pink on changing people’s minds, and it’s up to us what
and green. New cars share the crowded streets we do. What face do we show?”
with beat-up vans and buses, rusty bicycles, shaky Suffolk University’s presence is a positive one in the
motor scooters, even horse-and-buggies. Goats are minds of the Senegalese people, says Martin. “Suffolk
everywhere. “Goats in the city, goats on the beach, has created a campus where they’re teaching busi-
goats standing on top of cars,” says Suffolk University ness techniques and educating people from all over
Map courtesy of Microsoft
professor Ken Martin. Men and women wear tradi- Africa, and the Senegalese are happy about that.” Still,
tional clothing and cook outside in giant clay pots, but ter or a summer session, taking business courses or there is an ideological battle going on, a struggle to
carry cell phones and pagers. Such are the contrasts classes in music, dance, and culture. The University hold on to ancient traditions as a younger generation
of this developing country—rich and poor, traditional occupies several low-lying buildings on a campus comes of age in today’s technological world.
and modern, a third-world nation tied to a changing landscaped with vibrant flowers and vines, the only “This is the ancient world,” says Martin. “You walk
global environment. American university among a few French schools, the on that land, you learn their ways… you make that con-
Suffolk students can study abroad in Senegal at the University of Dakar, and several other African colleges nection with people. You become a fuller person, a more
Suffolk University Dakar Campus (SUDC) for a semes- on “university lane.” worldly person. It’s a life-changing experience.” AS
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SUFFolKARTS+SCIENCES//001 alUMnI MagazIne 2007 www.suffolk.edu