Benin Study Abroad

1. Overall questions and issues about studying abroad

The study abroad website (http://www.studyabroad.illinois.edu/) has a ton of information for both PARENTS and STUDENTS concerning health, safety, cultural adjustment, and traveling issues during the study abroad program. Make sure you read this information. It is useful.

2. Do I need to speak French to apply or go on the program?  No. All classes will be in English and I will be with the class during the entire trip. There will also be a University of Illinois graduate student who will be with us as a program assistant. Having said that, Benin is a francophone country and very few individuals there speak English. Even at hotels, restaurants, and stores it will be difficult to find an English speaker.

If you are accepted into the program and cannot speak any French (i.e. never took a high school or college course), I would strongly encourage you to take an introductory French class in Fall 2025. This will greatly enhance your learning experience in Benin. If that is not possible, then you should plan on spending time during the fall semester learning ‘survival’ French from one of the websites linked below. 

***If you have taken any French classes (either in high school or college), please indicate that on the application as some preference will be given to students who can communicate in French.

3. “My parents are wary about letting me travel to Benin because of security or health concerns. What should I tell them?” First, read the anonymous student evaluations from the previous study abroad trips that I lead in West Africa (student evaluations from 2007, 2009, 2012, and 2014 in Burkina Faso and 2020 and 2024 in Benin). Many of these students had similar concerns prior to the trip and so reading about what they thought after visiting West Africa  is useful. Second, as the course leader, I will be with the students during the entire trip. I have previously led 6 successful study abroad courses in Benin during winter break 2020, 2024, and in Burkina Faso during winter break 2014, summer 2012, winter break 2009, and winter break 2007, and I have extensive experience living and working in West Africa. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo for 2 years and I spent 18 months living in Burkina Faso conducting household surveys as part of my Ph.D. dissertation. In addition, I have made numerous shorter trips to West Africa, both for work and vacation. I am scheduled to be back there in September 2025 for a health conference and to set up the logistics for this year's trip.

Finally, it is important to understand the facts about a specific country before making a decision about whether you want to visit there. Across countries in Africa, there is enormous variation and we are not visiting a country in the middle of a civil war or an AIDS epidemic. For current travel and security information about Benin, look at the U.S. State Department Benin webpage. I would also caution that you should read the State Department consular information for another country such as France or England which would probably be considered a “safe” country to gain some perspective on how the information sheets are written. 

4. Do I earn credit for the course? You earn 3 credits for the course.

5. How competitive is it to get into the program? It varies from year to year, but generally it is very competitive to get in. When I have previously taught the course, fewer than 50% of the applicants were accepted into the program.

6. What are the requirements for admission? There are no specific requirements in terms of courses taken or majors. Students in all majors and from freshman to seniors will be considered for this Benin course. I put a lot of weight on your personal essays and your motivations for wanting to go to Benin, so please spend a significant amount of time working on the essay questions.

7. How much does the course cost? Check the Study Abroad website for details on costs, scholarships for LAS students, and what the program costs cover.

8. What do I need to do to apply? Go to the Study Abroad Benin course website and follow the instructions for applying for the course. After your application has been reviewed, selected students will be invited to interview with me as a final step in the application process.

1. Health Issues:  This is the first step for everyone going to Benin after you are accepted into the program. Make an appointment with the travel clinic at McKinley to get your shots. DO THIS NOW. THIS IS URGENT. 

Here is the CDC Benin website link for the required/recommended shots and information about staying healthy in Benin.

You will receive a yellow WHO card when you get your shots and this WHO card is mandatory for entrance to Benin. DO NOT LOSE THIS. You will not be allowed to get on the flight leaving Chicago without it. There are no exceptions. 

2. Visas:  Website for the Benin online e-visa application:  https://evisa.bj/ Cost is 50 euros for a single entry, one month visa. You need to apply more than 7 days before we leave.

3. Security and safety issues: For specific travel and security information about Benin, look at the State Department Benin webpage.

4. U.S. Embassy Travel Registration:  Before we leave, everyone must register with the U.S. Embassy Smart Travel Enrollment Program. It takes about 5 minutes to type in emergency contact information, your passport information, and your itinerary. Here is an explanation from the State Department website about why everyone traveling overseas should register:

“Why should I register? Millions of Americans travel abroad every year and encounter no difficulties. However, U.S. embassies and consulates assist nearly 200,000 Americans each year who are victims of crime, accident, or illness, or whose family and friends need to contact them in an emergency. When an emergency happens, or if natural disaster, terrorism, or civil unrest strikes during your foreign travel, the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate can be your source of assistance and information. By registering your trip, you help the embassy or consulate locate you when you might need them the most. Registration is voluntary and costs nothing, but it should be a big part of your travel planning and security.”

5. Packing List (suggested packing list)

6. Malaria Prophylaxis:  For information about malaria prevention, read the following website: (http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/). This information is critical—you will not be allowed to travel to Benin if you do not take your malaria medication.

Everyone needs to start taking their doctor-prescribed malaria medication BEFORE we leave for Benin. Follow your doctor’s instructions about when to start taking the medication. Take the medicine at the same time each day when you take it. Take the medication while in Benin and then follow the doctor's instructions for how long to continue taking the medicine after you return home from Benin.

7. Language websites:  Here are a couple of sites to help you learn some survival phrases.

A. French

https://lectia.app/

https://www.duolingo.com/

http://www.fsi-language-courses.net/fsi-french-language-courses/

http://www.languageguide.org/francais/

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/French/Contents

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/ 

B. Fon

Peace Corps Guide to Fon

https://polyglotclub.com/wiki/Language/Fon/Vocabulary/How-to-Say-Hello-and-Greetings