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 Amy Johnson |
-Where were you born?
Norman, Oklahoma, USA, but I spent most of my life in Texas.
-In which country and city are you living now?
Dakar, Senegal
-Are you living alone or with your family?
With my husband and 11-year-old daughter.
-How long have you been living in Senegal?
3 years
-What is your age?
Long enough to have practiced law for a while.
-When did you come up with the idea of living in Senegal?
My husband was a Peace Corps volunteers years ago in Zaire. He took the MCATs in Zaire and became a doctor because he wanted to return to Africa as the Peace Corps doctor. We also wanted our daughter to see another part of the world and learn a language.
-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
No, but we are part of the official American community, so we did none of this work.
-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
Again, our medical insurance is through the U.S. government.
-How do you make your living in Senegal? Do you have any type of income generated?
My husband is the regional doctor for the U.S. Peace Corps. He applied for the job in the U.S. and found their job positing on the website. Since we've been here, I have taught as an adjunct professor at Suffolk University.
-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
You must speak French or the local language, which is Wolof. Otherwise, you can't communicate. You cannot get by on English. When I got here, I spoke no French. I could communicate with the Americans, a lot of ex-pats, but maybe a handful of Senegalese and French. Now, my French is much better.
-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
Of course. Mostly, I wish I were near my parents. But we keep in touch with them regularly through phone calls (voice over internet), Skype and e-mail. There are things I can't do here -- for instance, in Austin, I used to row on a lake. But instead, I play tennis with a coach who once competed in a Davis Cup competition.
-Do you have other plans for the future?
We'll be in Africa for another few years. And then we don't know. We are at the point of our life where our comings and goings are greatly influenced by our daughter's education.
-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
Our housing is paid for by the employer, so I don't know the cost.
-What is the cost of living in Senegal?
Anything that is imported or from the developed world is very expensive. For instance, I'll splurge now and then and buy an $8 artichoke. Otherwise, the cost-of-living is relatively expensive, depending on how you want to live.
-What do you think about the Senegalese people?
The Senegalese are an energetic, warm, and friendly people. They have strong, connected families and a rich vibrant culture that encourages creativity. They are also extremely poor, so when you arrive at the airport or walk down the street, you see dozens of people afflicted with polio, and people beg for money and can be relentless. As a matter of etiquette, you are expected to greet people on the street. Generally, they are smiling, and if you smile back, you have wonderful greetings with strangers on the street.
-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Senegal?
A family can live a wonderful life in Senegal. Senegal is on the coast, so you can always body surf, surf, fish, scuba dive, snorkel or simply swim at the beach. There is an active, social, connected expatriate community. There is a women's group for English speakers, the Dakar Women's Group, and an international women's group. There are concerts, art exhibits, fashion shows, live music, restaurants.
Probably most of the problems of Dakar exist in any third world country. Infrastructure problems. Electricity doesn't work all the time; you need a generator. The water won't work. Traffic can be a nightmare. The country is littered, and the rank odor of trash and open sewage is a smell you get used to. You plan to do three things, but you only accomplish one because all kinds of obstacles get in your way. You are cooking and want an ingredient that is never available, or just isn't in the stores at the moment.
But the good side of that is that you learn to be flexible and creative.
-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Senegal?
Learn French before you come. Travel around Senegal: sleep in the sand dunes and the baobabs. Travel around the region: go to Mali, Mauritania, Cape Verte. Go to a concert at the French Cultural Center. Discover the local designers who make clothes and design some of your own. Buy the Dakar Women's Group handbook, which gives practical information about anything from doctors to grocery stores to beach resorts. Have a relaxed attitude about life. You'll feel guilty having a housekeeper, but you'll make a difference in her life, and she'll make one in yours. Take health issues seriously, like malaria and cuts. There is a big enough ex-pat world, that if you have specific questions, you should be able to ask people here. And with the internet, you should be able to ask before you come.
-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Senegal?
Peace Corps Writers
Our site is savagebeasts (go back in time).
Resdagboken (in Swedish)
Dakar
Hi
I was recently in Dakar, Senegal working with a child with special needs. I am American and live in The Hague, and have created a company called specialized autism services. One of my families had moved to Senegal so we agreed that I would come there and train 2 women to work with their daughter. I will be back some time in April. I really enjoyed my visit, and look forward to coming back. I enjoyed reading your story (by the way, do you belong to the Dakar Womens Group?).
Beste
Kelly Redden
Thinking of taking an expat job in Dakar
Hi Amy,
my name is Luc (or Luke in English as you prefer), I'm from Belgium.
I've been offered a job in Dakar and I'm seriously considering to aceept it if we can agree on everyhting.
Are you still based in Dakar?
Could I ask you some information regerding life in Dakar?
Thx for your reply.
Best regards,
Luke.
Job in Dakar
Amy,
I have accepted a position in Dakar at the Universty Teaching Hospital. I have lived in Cairo, Egypt for the last 4 years so I know about bartering, driving conditions, temperatures etc. Can you tell me about the dress codes/customs for Americans. Do they have any places to get your nails, hair done? Neat shops, restaurants, events, etc. My husband and I are very excited, but would like to have some inside information. Is there a commisary? How is the internet service, telepone (we have a vonage line here), television (we have AFN services)? What do the homes look like? Also, my hustand is an avid golfer. Do you or someone know about golf courses?
I look forward to hearing from you!!
Debbie Spells-Wilson
Are pets welcomed in Dakar?
Dear Amy,
My husband has been offered a job in University Teaching Hospital,Dakar.
The offer is quite attractive, i wonder how can they pay lucrative remuneration package to foreign employees as it is a third world country.
My another concern is that I would like to bring along my two dogs ( Chihuahua) if my husband accepts the offer.
Do you think it is appropriate (or accepted by locals) to keep pets at home?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Goon Mui
Got offer in University Teaching Hospital - Dakar
Hai Amy,
How are you, hope you and your family having good time in Dakar.
Need your suggestion and advise.Just yesterday I got proposal to join University Teaching Hospital in Dakar.Basically, I am Indian and presently working in Saudi Arabia.The offer is very lucrative and attractive.Since it is African country, I am wondering about this offer whether it is geniune or just a trap for something.If it is correct, how about the life there what are the living condition, health condition specially relating to HIV and other uncurable disease,living expenses,people,housing, transportation,law and order and everything relating to live normal peaceful life. If I took job, I will be living with my wife and we have no children right now, is it safe to be there with wife.
Please comments
Regards,
Sunny
got job offer
How are you, hope you and your family having good time in Dakar.
Need your suggestion and advise.Just yesterday I got proposal to join University Teaching Hospital in Dakar.Basically, I am Indian and presently working in Saudi Arabia.The offer is very lucrative and attractive.Since it is African country, I am wondering about this offer whether it is geniune or just a trap for something.If it is correct, how about the life there what are the living condition, health condition specially relating to HIV and other uncurable disease,living expenses,people,housing, transportation,law and order and everything relating to live normal peaceful life. If I took job, I will be living with my wife and we have no children right now, is it safe to be there with wife.
Please comments
uday
Moving
I visit Dakar this year....I am considering moving there....I am an american and I don't know much of the langauge. I am a beginner learning french....I would like to know if anyone can give me asistance on where to look for employment I would love to here from you.........and also I have a son who is 11 years old and would like to know about the school..........I look forward to hearing from you Thank you
Nancy
Fantastic post, thanks for
Fantastic post, thanks for sharing your experiences. Bookmarked this site and emailed it to a few friends, your post was that great, keep it up.
Life in Dakar
Hello Amy,
I happened to find your post quite by chance, and enjoyed reading through it. I was born and raised in Dakar for the first 14 years of my life. Since immigrating to the U.S., I've only been back once, in the mid 80's. Even though I have lived all of my adult life in the U.S., a part of me has and will forever miss what I left behind. I envy you the opportunity to experience a new culture, and I believe your child especially will greatly benefit from it. My greatest wish has always been to take my children there, alas, the chance and affordability has never presented itself.
Now that my youngest child is about to graduate from highschool, I am entertaining the idea of moving back, either to Dakar or Cape Verde where my parents are from. Luckily, I am still very fluent in French and Creole, the language spoken in C.V. I realize that I will be giving up some materialistic luxuries, but what I miss the most and crave to reecreate in my life is the joy and peace of enjoying life to it's fullest. Some of my bestfriends while growing up were the maids which we treated as family and who in turn took care of us as if we were their own.
Again, thanks for posting your life experience in Dakar. Best of luck.
Manuela
Good post and a fantastic
Good post and a fantastic read. You have raised some valid points. Great work, keep it up. I love returning back to this site and reading the quality content you always have on offer.
Rebel groups operate in many
Rebel groups operate in many Africa countries, and ethnic and religious conflict is widespread. This makes African countries a difficult destination for americans, but there are notable exceptions.
university teaching job offer
Hi Uday
i am an indian and working as a professer in africa country .I got a job offer from university teaching hospital,darkar, Please guide me i should accept the offer or not.I am confused and afraid to go there without any proper contact and information.Please reply me soon as i have to accept the offer before 30 oct 2009.
with regards.
Excellent post thank you
Excellent post thank you very much for taking the time to share with those who are starting on the subject. Greetings
How is it like living in Africa?
Hi Amy,
I am a Filipina and my husband got an offer to work there in Dakar Senegal. I have lots of questions to ask, first, how would we know if the job offer to him was not some kind of a scam. If we accept the job offer,can you tell me something about the houses there or the accomodation,security,is there a catholic church we can go to,are the schools,hospitals,markets are accessible? Is there Recreational Facilities there like malls etc. Is it expensive to live there? Please reply asap as i want to know more things before we finally decide on the job offer. Thanks and more power! I hope to hear fom you very very soon! And one last thing, do you have a yahoo mail account, i'd like to chat with you if given a chance. Thanks again!
thinking of moving to Dakar
Hi, I am not sure if the original interviewee, Amy answered to any of the above questions but just in case somebody does, I wanted to ask a few questions myself
I am an American and thinking of moving to Dakar for 3 months to improve my french and also to write. What advise can people give me regarding apartment rents, internet access etc
Thanks much!
Sosena
Indeed, as a reader to this
Indeed, as a reader to this blog I am truly impressed, have been coming across posts that are so very informative for me, keep impressing us!
Need your advice dear
Need your suggestion and advise.4 days before I got proposal to join University Teaching Hospital in Dakar.Basically, I am Indian and presently working in malaysia .The offer is very lucrative and attractive.Since it is African country, I am wondering about this offer whether it is geniune or just a trap for something.If it is correct, how about the life there what are the living condition, health condition specially relating to HIV and other uncurable disease,living expenses,people,housing, transportation,law and order and everything relating to live normal peaceful life. If I took job, I will be living with my wife and we have one children right now, is it safe to be there with wife.
apart
Hi Amy,
I was wondering if you knew anyone who would be willing to rent out a 2 bedroom apartment for 3 months. From now until the end of March. I am a medical student who will be working at the Hopital Principal de Dakar. There are 2 of us who will be working there, so we prefer a place near the city center to be able to walk to work.
Let me know,
THank you!
Nirma