AADS launches new African language programs this fall

Image by Florida International University, courtesy of Creative Commons

Written by Fiorella Cantero/Contributing Writer

The African and African Diaspora Studies program under the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs received about $93,000  to launch two new language programs at the University for two years.

AADS chose to offer Swahili and Wolof courses, languages spoken in the regions of Senegal and The Gambia, because those study abroad programs have been continually active since 2010.

The grant and program will be managed by Jean Rahier, project and AADS Director, as well as anthropology professor in the Department of Global & Sociocultural Studies.

“It is important for AADS and for the Department of Modern Languages to launch these two African language programs because of the growing importance of continental Africa in the world economy,” said Rahier.

“Economic growth is the highest in continental Africa right now. FIU graduates might have to travel to the African continent for their jobs in the future… Trade between the U.S. and Africa is projected to grow exponentially,” he said.

According to Rahier, a few of the project’s goals are to support faculty development by funding research trips to continental Africa each year and fund new acquisitions to expand library holdings on Africa.

Other goals include developing at least seven new continental Africa-focused courses in the humanities, the arts, and the social sciences, and providing a $1,500 stipend to each of five students every year for participation in the existing study abroad program in Senegal and The Gambia.

Although AADS’ study abroad program did not offer this opportunity to students for summer courses due to the Ebola virus crisis and the fear it would dissuade potentially interested students, it will be up and running by summer 2016.

“AADS has obtained a Title VI grant that will provide scholarships to FIU students for participation in study abroad program to Senegal and The Gambia, and to Zanzibar for the summer of 2016 and summer 2017,” Rahier said.

“No Ebola cases were reported in The Gambia, and only one in Senegal (a migrant from Guinea). Both countries remain Ebola virus-free.”

Rahier expects success for the program if students enroll for the courses and believes that students will benefit from these programs as an opportunity to learn about two major languages spoken in Africa.

In fact, he urges students to apply because they “could satisfy the university language requirement by taking two levels of Swahili or Wolof.”

Stephanie Gonzalez, a sophomore majoring in hospitality and tourism management, agrees with Rahier that the programs are beneficial for students. However, she said that for her it is difficult to learn these new languages.

“It’s a great opportunity, but [it is] difficult to imagine learning a new language at my age, especially Swahili or Wolof.”

Romina Angelelli, a junior digital media major, also think these new programs are useful to students – even if they don’t have an interest in African languages.

“Swahili is an interesting language and I feel like students will benefit from the new language programs,” said Angelelli. “After all, we are all about being ‘worlds ahead’.”

Classes for these courses will begin this fall at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus.

news@fiusm.com

About the Author

Camila Fernandez
A FIU School of Journalism and Mass Communications Student - Began working with Student Media in 2013.

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