2005 Francophone Seminar in Mali Itinerary

Dec. 28: Students leave JFK in New York City on Air France group flight

Dec. 29: Students arrive. Lodging at the Centre Régional pour l’Énergie
Solaire (CRES)

Dec. 30: Afternoon introduction and tour of Bamako

Dec. 31: Tour of Bamako continues

Jan. 1: Morning discussion of pre-departure readings. Early evening reception for host families and students.

Jan. 2-5: Cultural orientation in the villages of Nana-Kéniéba and Siby (83 km from Bamako)

Jan. 5: Return to Bamako. Students go to their host families

Jan. 6: Day of rest with host families.

Jan. 7: Morning meeting about classes at Point Sud

Jan. 9: Classes begin at Point Sud

Jan. 10: Possible date of Islamic Eid ul Adha celebration

Jan. 14-15: Excursion to Kangaba and Djoliba, village of director’s childhood and birthplace of Salif Keita, Grammy-nominated Malian singer-guitarist.

Jan. 20-22: Excursion to the town of Kita, home of many prestigious
clans of oral performers (griots) and keepers of Mali’s epic traditions.

Feb. 2: Departure for Segou (Festival of the River Niger, Feb. 3-5)

Feb. 5-15: Excursion to Burkina Faso (across border), Djenné, Mopti, Timbuktu, Pays Dogon, Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Sikasso and back to Bamako.

Feb. 25-26: Overnight excursion to the town of Koulikoro.

Mar. 4-5: Final examinations

Mar. 6: Program ends; students leave Bamako

Mar. 7: Students arrive at JFK in New York City on group flight