Culture and Politics in Cameroon
PSI 1140 (01)
Spend two and a half weeks in sunny Cameroon learning about people, culture, and politics. Cameroon is located at the crossroads of West and Central Africa and is a stable and beautiful country. The first few days will be spent at the University of Buea learning more about the country and its many cultures. The remainder of the trip will be spent traveling throughout the country. An important component of this course will be developing cross-cultural communication skills.
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Expenses
Estimated trip cost is $3,500 (subject to change). This amount includes airfare to/from Cameroon, visa documents, lodging, in-country travel, and one meal per day. The cost does not include immunizations and souvenirs.
- $500 minimum deposit due upon registration
- Registrations will be taken on a first come-first served basis and with instructor approval
- A payment of $1500 is due no later than October 10
- Balance of $1500 is due no later than November 7
- The entire cost should be paid as soon as possible.
- Payments should be made at the Bursar’s Office
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Course Requirements
Students must have or (immediately) obtain a PASSPORT. Applications are available at the local post office or online at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
Students will be required to meet four requirements:
- Attend pre-trip meetings in preparation for travel
- Keep a journal during the trip
- Participate in a group project that will draw from experiences and lessons learned in Cameroon. The project will be presented publicly upon return to McDaniel’s campus.
- Turn in an individual reflection paper which may draw on the journal but should include analysis as well.
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Immunizations
Carroll County Health Department (or your local health department) can provide the required immunizations with payment by cash or check. They provide the “yellow booklet” that is the internationally recognized immunization record. Questions may be directed to 410-876-4936 or 410-876-4815.
- Yellow fever (required)
- Hepatitis (required)
- Tetanus (required)
- Typhoid (suggested)
- Meningitis (only if needed)
- Malaria prophylactic – by prescription -lariam or malarone
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Financial Assistance
If you are sincerely interested in this January term course, do not let financial need deter you. A little research can go a long way to locating external funding for long and short-term study abroad opportunities. Please contact Ms. Bryant for additional opportunities to receive support based on demonstrated financial need.
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Sources of Information on Cameroon
Takougang, Joseph and Milton Krieger. African State and Society in the 1990s: Cameroon’s Political Crossroads, Westview Press, 1998.
BBC News, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1042937.stm.
IRIN News.org, UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
http://www.irinnews.org/frontpage.asp?SelectRegion=West_Africa&SelectCountry=Cameroon
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Tentative Itinerary
The itinerary is subject to change based on local conditions as well as on the interests of the participants.
January 2
travel from US to Douala, Cameroon
Douala is the economic capital of Cameroon and is a vibrant, bustling city.
January 3
arrive in Douala, drive to Buea
January 4
morning optional church or free time
afternoon visit LINK-Up Development Group
LINK-Up Development Group is a McDaniel favorite in Cameroon. The founder, Roland Musi, is a dedicated and hard-working social entrepreneur who has devoted his life to the betterment of Cameroon’s children and created employment opportunities and training for others as well. You can learn more about LINK-Up at http://www.linkupcharity.org/.
afternoon driving tour of Buea
Buea is about 3000 feet up Mount Cameroon, the tallest mountain in West Africa. The scenic views are unmatched – the mountain rises on one side and the Atlantic Ocean can be clearly seen on the other. In addition, the colonial legacy is ever-present with German architecture and British and French influences evident.
January 5
morning lectures at the University of Buea
UB is one of six public institutions of higher education in Cameroon and is the only English-language institution of its type in the Central African region. It has grown rapidly in its less than two decades of existence and is now a rising star in the West and Central African regions. Lecturers (professors) at the University will provide lectures on current issues in Cameroon, women’s issues in Cameroon and politics in Cameroon.
afternoon visit banana plantation
evening welcome dinner at OIC
January 6
morning student roundtable at UB
This will be a unique opportunity to meet and interact with UB students.
afternoon, and all day January 7, we will complete a service project with LINK-Up and the children they serve.
January 7
all day -- we will complete a service project with LINK-Up and the children they serve.
January 8
Travel to Baffousam and Foumban
January 9
morning Foumban Palace
The Fon’s Palace is now a museum as well as a place of residence for the Sultan of Foumban and his family. The artifacts of 18 dynasties are housed here.
afternoon travel to Bamenda
The journey to Bamenda allows us to see the changing landscape. We will have moved from the ocean and forests to the grasslands.
January 10
day trip to Pinyin
Pinyin is a village in the Santa area outside of Bamenda. Friends there will give us a tour of the village and although we won’t totally understand it, we will get a glimpse of village life.
January 11
church, free time, tour Bamenda
January 12
service project, Bambili Primary School
The visit to Bambili primary school has become an annual event. We will bring school supplies and small gifts and spend a day working with the students.
January 13
morning Mankon Museum
afternoon Basil’s Blacksmith Studio
Basil is a talented blacksmith who will show us the lost-wax method of metalsmithing.
January 14
travel to Douala
January 15
morning A visit with Kah Walla, a City Councillor in Douala whose position entails real challenges, but many opportunities as well. Ms. Walla is a business woman and social entrepreneur who runs an international consulting firm in addition to being involved in politics.
afternoon We will visit the French Cultural Center which houses an active educational and social program with a library, films and a musical venue.
January 16
morning We will visit the Douala American School where the children of diplomats and international business persons are educated.
afternoon Marché des fleurs or the Flower Market is the home of artisans and artists who make products for the local market as well as tourists. It is a fun location for practicing your bargaining skills and purchasing souvenirs.
evening Return trip to Buea
January 17
morning A visit to Soppo Market, one of Buea’s best markets.
afternoon We will have a local favorite, roasted fish.
January 18
A real sight-seeing delight, Dibuncha is the second rainiest spot on the earth. We will drive there past the site of the last volcano eruption and then back to Limbé where we will visit the Wildlife Center and the Botanical Gardens; both evidence of the importance Cameroon is beginning to place on preserving the environment.
January 19
morning We will visit a local hospital visit in Buea.
afternoon We will debrief with students at UB and the staff at LINK-Up to discuss the experience and knowledge gained.
January 20
return to Douala and home
January 21
rest, work on papers
January 28
papers due
January 29
Group (public) Presentation
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