I have been pretty disinterested in figuring out how to get registered at the University. I’d like to think that this lack of urgency is a product of my conforming to the “African way” of getting things done, but that is probably only half the story. After almost a month in country and still living out of my suitcases, I decided that I could wait no longer for the rest of the stars to align before I progressed with making contacts at UCAD (Université Cheikh Anta Diop). No more excuses- house or no house, feeling “settled” or not, I needed to sow the seeds for what is, in essence, my entire reason for being here. Good thing I decided to stop waiting, because it is now almost two months later and I am still living out of suitcases. Lack of urgency indeed.

Lest I get too wrapped up in the insular comforts of the Embassy community (which really, I don’t foresee happening), I met up with the person at UCAD who assisted the previous Olmsted Scholar. Boubacar is a very busy and respected official who works in the Faculté de Droit et Science Politique. He asked me about my military and academic background, and then informed me that the registration deadline had already passed for the fall term. 

Uh oh. I thought this was African time!

Luckily, Boubacar has connections and is an extremely accommodating (and thus very Senegalese) person. He also said that he was glad my French was as good as it was, since this would ease my entry into a Master’s program. Alhamdoulilah.  He said to come back vite with my documents, and inch’allah, I’d be registered for the fall term. My American Type A sense of urgency restored, I worked between Dakar and Cape Cod to create my best interpretation of a French-based CV, complete with copies of my undergrad and graduate diplomas (thanks John for helping me with this!).  I called Boubacar again to ask when I should bring this stuff down and he said he’d check and “call me back”.  

Yeah, that never happened.

So you may recall that a seemingly golden offer came up to visit The Gambia for a few days. I texted Boubacar to let him know that I’d be out of the country “for work” and would be back Thursday night to ensure a return visit to UCAD on Friday. Pas de problème, he said. My trip was extended by one day, and I was a little stressed about not getting back to UCAD like I said I would, but again Boubacar said, pas de problème, and to call on Monday. To finally kill a tedious story, I didn’t get back to UCAD until today.  Boubacar was in a meeting and running late, which is typical and pas de problème, but since I’m a toubab, I still must ensure that I am on time. After about 45 minutes, he shows up and says that he got the emailed copies of my documents, but his printer is broken. I hand him paper copies, which he takes and says he’ll give me a call.


That’s it.

You can laugh, but I’m not even sure exactly what type of master’s program all of this interaction will yield. I know that the area of focus will be in political science, but apart from that I am kind of sans clue. But I’m not all that concerned. I’m kind of enjoying (well most days) watching how my whole Dakar experience is paying out, and I don’t have any cause to doubt that Boubacar won’t get me registered. People here, when they say they will help you, are really good about keeping their word. 

And heck if this whole University enrollment “process” doesn’t pan out like I think it will, this will at least provide for some future entertainment for you blog readers. Beats me talking about running all the time!