During the first week that the students spend in Dakar, ACI provides a Neighborhood and a Downtown orientation which include accompanied sorties. A local health resource person explains how to stay healthy in Senegal, responds to any health questions or concerns students may have, and advises students on where to go and what to do in case medical care is needed. Officials from the local police and US Embassy brief students on security issues in Senegal and measures to take in the event of emergency. This session was created in response to a request by former students for more information concerning women's issues in Senegal and family etiquette. The EOA's involve a series of exercises which are structured to provide students with the opportunity to explore local resources in areas that may be useful to them in their studies, independent projects and in their adaptation to living in Senegal.
Academic institutions can make specific requests for logistic support for incoming students.
This can involve organization of housing, meeting students upon arrival, setting up itineraries or arranging special activities, visits and appointments, and ensuring on-going communications with the stateside institution. For academic institutions that do not maintain an office or staff person in Dakar, ACI can help to identify academic advisors, university personnel, training institutions and schools, resources in the NGO community, or assist in locating internships. ACI can respond to these needs through the organization of lectures, visits, and meetings with representatives of development organizations to provide students with contacts in fields that interest them.