5 lessons you can learn in Senegal

Chilling on Senegalese time.

Lesson 1: Be patient; not every moment has to be productive.

I read that time in Senegal is like a rubber band... It's true.

Starting times of professional and personal events are merely suggestions and both end up being later than initially predicted. Above, I was invited to dinner at 8. When we arrived our host seated us in the living room with drinks and went to go bathe! We had dinner at 9:30.

Lesson 2: Embrace diversity and how each person contributes to a culture and society.

If you are visiting Senegal, you are still treated as a part of the community and as an honored guest.

Everyone greets each other with "Asalaa Malekum," or "Peace be with you" and takes the time to ask after your family and friends. Neighbors drop in to say hello, visitors are invited to share a meal, and the sense that we are all Senegalese is remarkable. When was the last time you dropped in on a neighbor just to say "hello?"

Lesson 3: Children will rise to expectations.

Kids go to school and come prepared. There weren't any kids without a pencil or notebook in class.

Kids do chores, like clearing the dishes, and often without being asked.

Kids are polite respectful, even deferential, to guests. So many things to bring back as an American parent!

Lesson 4: Take time to enjoy the activities and people you love.

But, kids still get to be kids! They spend time together at the cultural center. They regularly participate in non-academic activities like music, art, sports and dance. Families eat lunch and dinner at home around the bowl - this exemplifies the slower pace of life and the value placed on family time.

Lesson 5: Generosity is good for society and personal well-being.

Teranga, from Wolof, can be loosely translated as 'hospitality.' It's the sense of sharing whatever you have with others and is a great source of pride in Senegal. The Senegalese will go out of their way to help each other, both people they know and people they don't know. I imagine that this must contribute to the sense of community and belonging, knowing you can rely on society for help and support at any moment.