What educators say

As a French teacher, I’m constantly looking to de-center France from my perspective and curriculum. I was lucky to have post-high school experiences that emphasized the importance and diversity of Francophone Africa, but had never traveled to the continent. When I encountered the director of Vive at a session about Senegal at the AATF conference in 2023, I knew that I wanted to travel with her company. It was an amazing experience, allowing me and 13 other like-minded French teachers to travel together, discovering Senegalese culture in all its forms (products, practices, and perspectives, anyone?). The director thinks of everything when planning her trips, and because of her connections and hands-on approach, she is able to tailor our trip to our interests and abilities – both before and during the trip! For example, when our guide needed to stop somewhere along the road, she and the assistant director, got off the bus too and bought everyone fresh coconut to share, transforming it into a learning moment and experience we wouldn’t forget. Our director also ensured that we got the best local guide ever, full of history and anecdotes that enriched our understanding, and answering our endless questions. One of the biggest differences between Vive and another tour company is the opportunities to meet and exchange with Senegalese people everyday. Rather than simply being shuttled from the hotel to touristy destinations and back, our itinerary included home visits, a beach cleanup session, visits to markets, and visits to multiple schools, all of which were opportunities to talk to people who live in Senegal. Of course, we did visit top tourist destinations in Senegal, but these visits were enriched by the connections that we made along the way. We also basked in the slower pace of life in Senegal; I appreciated the breaks built into our itinerary that allowed us to recharge our batteries and be fully present in the experience.

After the trip, I know that I want to visit Senegal again. I would also love to travel on a Vive trip again – and hopefully one day host a student trip with Vive!

Je suis sensible aux petites politesses et j’ai été frappé de vivre le teraanga lors du voyage au Sénégal, qui ne se limite pas à l’hospitalité mais qui s’étend au partage de ce qu’on a avec tout le monde même si on ne se connaît pas bien. Combien de gens ont été contents quand j’ai salué en wolof, et ont eu la grâce de parler avec moi et de répondre à mes questions. A notre toute première rencontre, un monsieur nous a offert des trousses d’eau. Même si nous avons été avertis que ce n’était peut-être pas purifiée, c’est un exemple de cet esprit de teraanga qui s’est répété le long de notre séjour.

Ça a été vraiment agréable de réaliser des relations amicales avec les autres participants et les membres de l’équipe. Souvent, je prends du temps à me "chauffer" en vivant une nouvelle expérience, mais parmi mes pairs je me suis senti à l’aise.

J’ai été touché par les efforts particuliers de la part de Vive en dehors du programme proposé : la visite à l’église pour la messe, la soirée de jeux, et l’occasion de passer par la poste. Ces moments qui vont au-delà de l’itinéraire reflètent une attention aux passions des participants dont Vive peut être fier.

If you’re eager to immerse yourself into the language and culture of another county, Vive l’expérience will enable you to live this experience. Vive proposes an itinerary that will enable you to interact with local students, artists, street vendors, environmentalists, and musicians. The vibrancy, hospitality, sharing, and joie de vivre we observed can serve as a model for all of us. We were able to visit schools, museums, houses of worship, former slave quarters, and beaches, create our own art, play music and dance with a griot, and enjoy the delicious national cuisine. Katy and her assistant, local guide, and driver were most skilled and friendly in guiding us throughout our stay; it was so hard to leave at the end! Treat yourself to a truly formative voyage with Vive.

This is an outstanding program for French teachers of all levels, even retirees! Katy Wheelock does an amazing job at organizing the trip from beginning to end. We visited cultural sights, markets, and schools, met Senagalese families, learned how to drum and do Batik. I could go on and on. I have been part of many tour groups and the is absolutely one of the best!

This trip was truly a once in a life time trip, Senegal exceeded every expectation I had. The warmth and hospitality of the people made every connection feel genuine and unforgettable, far beyond anything I could have dreamed. With full cultural immersion, the experience was nothing short of phenomenal. Katy and her team were so wonderful to travel with.

The Vive l’expérience trip to Senegal was an exciting and enriching opportunity! Katy has it extremely well organized. Every day we met Senegalese people: high school students, teachers, college students, artists, activists, and so on, and we got first-hand insight into the country and the culture. As is so often the case, during trips, the small moments were the most memorable, such as the time to waitress handed us her baby while she went to fix our food. We had frequent opportunities to reflect on and share our experiences. Katy was mindful of our safety and comfort, and provided many opportunities for fun. I’ll always remember dancing in the village, in the dorm room, and at the nice restaurant on top of the hill! An experience of a lifetime!

This was a life-changing trip! Katy is organized and experienced. I felt safe and well cared for. She introduced us to real people for authentic, in-home experiences. It was amazing! As a French teacher, I appreciated being totally in the language for two weeks. My own French improved! Now I have so much to share with my students – real experiences and current information, not just the textbook. This trip is a MUST for French instructors.

I cannot begin to recommend the experience of traveling to Senegal with this company enough. With each passing minute with each passing hour with each passing day, my expectations were superseded, and every day continued to surpass the previous. This was not simply just a trip where one is peering in through the window to get glimpse of another culture, it was a deep dive to the other side of the iceberg, a fully immersive, cultural experience, something that I’m still struggling to articulate with words. The beauty, the passion, the peace, the intricacies of what makes Senegalese culture Senegal are what I am taking away from this trip. Friendships that I think will last me for the rest of my life. If this is what you’re interested in, this is the company for you.

Travelling this past summer with Katy Wheelock and Vive L’Experience was one of my top 5 most amazing travel experiences in my life! Senegal was my 64th country visited and this travel adventure and experience, alongside incredible educators, exceeded all my expectations. Katy and her team-Katie, Ali, and our driver Modou did all that they could to coordinate and facilitate the best cultural experience for us. From our cultural immersion in wolof, to speaking French constantly, to making art, playing music, visiting mosques, historical sites, and marketplaces, to visiting schools and getting the chance to learn from local Senegalese and to do some work alongside them in beach clean-up, this experience had a profound impact on my life! There is something for everyone on this program! Katy’s incredible attention to detail, constant care for each of the participants and her local connections helped give us a truly authentic experience of terranga in Senegal! While my photographs only begin to tell the story of my journey; the memories I have of my time in Senegal will remain my heart always. If you are looking for an educational program that will enrich your life and infuse culture and learning in your teaching practice, this is the experience you want to sign up for. Jërëjëf et merci beaucoup! It was my great joy to be one of the first 4 Canadians do to the program! I recommend this experience so highly! 🙂

What an incredible experience! After ‘teaching’ about Senegal for years in my classroom, I finally got to experience this wonderful country for myself. Katy Wheelock does an amazing job organizing all the details, and unlike the student trips I’ve gone on over the years, we had SO MANY opportunities to interact with the Senegalese people – university students, high school students, families, and an environmental activist, as well as the head of the Peace Corps in Senegal. It really added a personal element to our experiences. If you’ve ever wanted to visit Africa, I whole heartedly recommend Vive l’Experience. The immersion element of speaking French all the time only added more value to the program.

Are you seeking inspiration, cultural insights, connection, community and a period of French immersion with like-minded educators? Vive L’Expérience provides all that and more. I felt trust and ease thanks to the skillful and warm communication leading up to the trip and throughout the journey around Senegal. I learned so much from visits on our itinerary that brought us into community with students, teachers, administrators, athletes, cooks, guides, artists, activists, merchants and more. If you are dreaming of getting to know Senegal, I can’t say it enough: travel with Vive L’Expérience!

Last summer I went to Senegal with Vive l’expérience. The trip was incredibly well managed. Katy and team made sure that participants were incredibly well prepared from knowing what to bring, what to expect when we were there, to speaking Wolof so that we could converse in the native language. The preparation was incredible and I was really grateful for all the time and work they put into educating us via zoom meetings before we even left.

Once we got there the trip was magical. Katy took care of everything and made sure we were well supported and comfortable the entire time. So many unusual opportunities we were able to participate in that I would never have had the time, energy or personal connections to make happen had I done a trip like this on my own. We had drumming lessons, boutique lessons, visited a high school, a university and a Koranic school. We didn’t just visit but had meetings and conversations with the teachers and learned about their process and work in a very personal way. We went to open studio art galleries and attended cultural centers and talked to locals who work to bring resources to writers, film makers, artists, singers, graffiti artists, dancers and rappers of Senegal.

Today I share these experiences with my students and they are excited to learn about people of Africa and their culture.

I traveled with Vive l’expérience to Senegal in the summer of 2024, and it was truly a career-making trip – I cannot recommend Katy and the Vive team highly enough! I came back with an amazing richness of experiences and materials to share with my French language classroom, and it is revolutionizing how I am able to teach about Senegal and Francophone Africa. The entire trip was arranged to allow for maximum benefit for language teachers, so it touched on so many themes that fit into my classroom and benefit my students. Thank you, Vive, for helping me to bring Senegal home to my students!

This trip gave so much! It was my first time in Africa and Vive l’expérience delivered a fantastic itinerary. It felt SO good to share with passionate educators and to interact with Senegalese in the most authentic ways! J’ai adoré être toubab à l’université des baobabs. Inchallah, un jour je reviendrai partager un autre café touba sénégalaisement avec Katy!

I will never forget the opportunities we had to interact with locals – asking neighbors about our mysterious objects on the first day; the visits to a high school and a university to talk with the faculty and students; a deeply moving conversation with a teacher at a local koranic school; the delicious celebration of Tabaski at Matou’s family’s home; and most of all, the tour of the Africulturban Center to meet and sing with Matador, Zeinixx and their friends. The teranga was palpable through these experiences.

I was fortunate enough to participate in Vive l’Expérience’s inaugural excursion to Senegal. This was my first trip to a developing country, and despite what I thought I knew, I wasn’t fully prepared (I don’t think there is a way to be fully prepared – you just have to experience it). The order of events in our itinerary helped me gradually get out of my American/Western mindset and be open to all kinds of new experiences.

It’s hard to pick specific moments that were my favorite during our stay. All of the activities we did were valuable and worthwhile. I think the most special for me, though, were spontaneous moments when we were able to meet Senegalese people. Those interactions taught me a lot about culture that complemented what I have already learned and the places we visited while on the trip. I have stayed in contact with some of the people we met and I continue to learn so much from them.

I have been dreaming of this trip since my first francophone literature class in college and the team made it happen! Thank you to both Katy and Matou for creating an incredible trip. Your organization, knowledge, creativity, flexibility, adaptability, and adventurous spirits made this an amazing experience that has changed me forever. I look forward to future trips with Vive!

Sénégal was life changing! I highly recommend Vive l’Experience for you next trip to Senegal. The whole itinerary was thoughtfully planned. Our leaders and guides were deeply knowledgeable. We met wonderful people, ate amazing traditional food. The whole experience was unforgettable.

Spending the day at Sobo Badè was wonderful – especially the second day when we finished our Batik, had a drum lesson, and enjoyed lunch in that beautiful setting. The desert of Lampoul was incredibly beautiful. I particularly enjoyed hiking in the sand dunes, Matou’s demonstration of tea and having some time to debrief as a group. Riding a dromedary was novel, but not that necessary. Ile de Gorée was also a major highlight of the trip, the guide was outstanding. Meeting Zeinixx was also very special. Lastly, I am thankful for all of the families that opened their homes to us to share a meal, that kind of insider’s view is priceless and hard to access when traveling. Thank you very much for creating this very special opportunity.

I have truly nothing but praise and appreciation for all team members of Vive l’Expérience and especially for Katy for all the thoughtful organization and implementation – from the interest meetings to our post-trip communication and all the myriad details in between, Katy has thought of absolutely everything to ensure participants are prepared to have the most comfortable and meaningful trip possible. With her teacher perspective, familiarity with Senegal and genuine care of others, Katy is a marvel, and travel with Vive is an experience NOT to be missed.

I would share with others considering a trip with Vive: be prepared for more experiences than you can imagine, even when the majority are listed on the agenda. Prior to our departure, my mind couldn’t fully comprehend just how much we would experience and at what depth. My mind STILL hasn’t fully processed all that we did and probably never fully will – but the fact that there are opportunities throughout the trip to engage with native Senegalese for conversation and connection, and not just at the agenda’s locations – en route via bus, at meals, at cultural sites – all thanks to the intended cultural immersion and communicative goals of the program.

As I’m beginning to integrate my learning and experiences about Senegal into my lessons this year, my elementary-age students are beyond thrilled for this first-hand sharing about the country. I wouldn’t be surprised if their families come knocking on your virtual door, Katy, for all the echoes of "JE veux visiter le Sénégal aussi!!" I look forward to a future trip with Vive and can’t thank you again for this experience of a lifetime.

Traveling with Vive was one of the best trips I’ve taken. The itinerary offered such a great variety of excursions that showcased the culture of Sénégal. Katy and Matou’s connections and experiences there gave such quality to the program.

My trip with Vive l’experiénce to Sénégal was meaningful in so many different ways! Teranga embodies everything the trip was about – the generosity, the community, the openness, and the exchanges with the Senegalese people, with the Senegalese culture, with our amazing tour coordinator and guides, and with my colleagues. It was a unique opportunity for me to further broaden my scope of teaching into the francophone world towards the goal of being more inclusive and more diverse in my classroom every day! Katy, you are really doing something special that cannot be replicated anywhere else. You have the teacher’s perspective, the connections, the knowledge, the patience and the passion to create a unique experience that goes beyond a "tour" and digs deep! It was truly a trip of a lifetime, and I’m hoping to take another trip with Vive again soon!

There were so many favorites….I loved the drumming lesson, it was cultural and super fun at the same time. The safari was cool (I love animals so I really enjoyed seeing them). The desert stay, the batik lesson, the school visits….Seriously, I can’t really answer this question! I felt all the activities were special and memorable. On another note, for me, the best part was being immersed in French. It was something that I haven’t done in a while and I forgot how necessary it is to keep up language skills. I feel rejuvenated as a teacher and feel that I got some of my passion back. I’m actually looking forward to going back this year and using what I learned, both with the language and the culture.

I think this trip was very well planned out. You would never know that this was the inaugural trip! The itinerary was perfect in my opinion. The perfect mix of different activities that were interesting, fun, and culturally enhancing. I was also very pleased with the pacing…I was never rushed, nor was I bored. I liked the alternation between nice/luxury accommodations and a little bit of roughing it (the desert and the home stay). Katy and Matou were the perfect combination of leaders, I thought it was so helpful to have both a sénégalais, and an americaine who has experience living in Senegal. It gave two different perspectives to each of the activities, which is why I think the schedule worked so well.

Honestly, I think the heat was the most challenging part for me, but that is nothing that you can control, I’m just old and like my comfort, lol. The other challenge for me was the immersion in French, only because I have not kept up with my language skills over the last few years. Although that was a challenge, it was also the best part and the reason I wanted to go on this trip.

Fabulous trip! Personally and professionally a life-changing experience.

This was possibly a once in a lifetime visit to Africa for me. I loved speaking with the Senegalese people and seeing several different aspects of Senegalese life. Arriving for Eid and sharing the holiday at Matou’s house was amazing. I have never experienced communal eating before, and it was such a wonderful meal. I was surprised by the breadth of family and community- such large, warm and welcoming gatherings!

I adored Toubab Dialaw! Our hotel was amazing and the cultural orientation was fun. Learning to make batik and do African drumming was a highlight for me!

The mosques were beautiful, and seeing the historical monuments was memorable and moving.

Having a tailor to make clothes for us from our own fabric was so special, and meeting local artists was so authentic.

The treat days at a resort were so so appreciated!

I felt the trip to the schools was very valuable, and I enjoyed the interactions.

*I experienced a loss during the trip, and I could not have felt more cared for by the trip leaders. I felt supported and was given choices (returning home, staying and having some space, etc.). I really felt cared about, and that was exactly what I needed. Thank you!

thought you both did a wonderful job organizing the trip! With the last-minute itinerary changes that had to be made, it is even more impressive. I thought we were well informed about how to stay healthy, and you both did a great job addressing cultural topics/questions as they arose. The balance of activities was also very good– going from cultural experiences (like guided tours/visits) to more low-key, relaxed activities (batik, pirogue/bird watching, making tea). In terms of a recommendation– I think the fact we all spoke French was super-helpful & fun! Not only did it allow us non-native speakers a chance to "live" in the language for 2 weeks, but it allowed us to connect with the Senegalese culture/people is a way that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. My recommendation– keep the language requirement! –and keep the number of participants the same or smaller. Anymore and the logistics may become too difficult (for meals, tours, etc.)

So much was new! I feel like it was an experience of a lifetime. I really enjoyed the interactions with the school students, as well as Zeinixx, Matador & William (champion slammer). To learn about their work, hopes & dreams was amazing. The visit to Joal (Senghor’s home) was especially meaningful for me, having studied his writings & biography. The Ile aux Coquillages was also very meaningful–seeing how different religions, ethnic groups, etc. live together in harmony. I think that was one of the most important lessons I took away from the entire trip– how the Senegalese culture (in general) prioritize the well-being of each other (as a people) rather than let differences of traditions, religious/political beliefs, etc. cause serious rifts in society. Ile Gorée was another highlight. Living in the Southern United States and having seen the other end of the slave trade many times (in Charleston, SC) it was fascinating to learn about front end of the process. It was also interesting to see how similar artisanal practices (like sweetgrass basket making) were preserved when slaves came to N. America and are still practiced in SC today. Tabaski with Matou’s family & the meal at Marie’s house were definitely highlights. I enjoyed connecting with the families & learning first-hand about cultural practices. These experiences were definitely outside of what a normal tourist would have experienced and something unique that Vive can offer. Enjoyed our time in nature (desert, balades in pirogues, safari). This was important too– that we were able to see & enjoy the natural beauty of the area. I still can’t believe I rode a camel!!

This was an amazing group of people. We were all there for various reasons, and together we approached each day with smiles and flexibility. With an action-packed itinerary, we were able to see, hear, and taste the rich offerings this beautiful country has to offer. Thank you for a wonderful experience that I will remember fondly for years to come. I enjoyed learning to play the djembe and making the batik cloth at Sobo Bade. This was a wonderful way to launch new friendships within our cohort. I also learned a lot from hearing Zenixx share her personal journey with us. Also, the trips to the schools were amazing, with such warm and welcoming students and teachers to show us a day in their busy lives. The guide for Leopold Senghor’s house was incredible in giving the larger historical context along with links to what’s happening in present day Senegal. It’s hard to specify a specific moment during our visit to Ile de Gorée, but the overall visit was powerful and impactful. It was fantastic to celebrate Tabaski with Matou’s family as well.

The overall program truly made me see the world differently, the epitome of intercultural competency! I LOVED that I was able to learn a bit of Wolof and marchander with the locals. Making an effort to speak their language really allowed me to connect with them on another level and feel like a part of the culture! I especially loved learning to live sénégalaisement. Additionally, as a believer of Jesus Christ, I felt extremely safe and accepted. I enjoyed talking to the Sénégalais about their faith!

While there were so many wonderful moments, one of my favorites was the live music session with Matador and his staff during la Fête de la Musique. Music is a passion of mine and the talent was unbelievable. This was an incredible and unforgettable experience.

I traveled to Senegal with Vive last summer and it was an amazing experience! Katy and her team have extensive contacts in the area and planned a trip that was engaging, educational, and fun. I was so impressed with the care that Katy took to ensure that we were all cared for both before the trip and during the trip. She was very responsive to our needs, friendly, and kind. In fact, it is Katy’s passion for Senegal and her personal touch that creates one of a kind experiences for her travelers. I am currently planning a trip with my students to Senegal with Vive. The parents and administrators at my school are all impressed with Katy’s knowledge and expertise. Due to her clear and consistent communication and pre-travel preparation sessions, parents, students, and teachers are excited to discover Francophone Africa. Merci, Katy!

Vive l’expérience provided a unique and authentic experience in Senegal – it was an incredible trip with memories that will last a lifetime!

One thing that made this trip so special was the incredibly warm welcome we received from the Senegalese, emphasizing that it is the Land of Teranga! Being able to celebrate Tabaski in the home of one our trip leader’s family, stopping by our driver’s grandmother’s house just to say hi and use the bathroom, and visiting our trip assistant’s former host family’s home allowed us to get a better perspective of daily life in Senegal, something that most tour companies would not be able to provide. We also got to interact with other educators and students when we visited a high school, a university, an arts school, and an arts and cultural center. Having our leaders’ Senegalese friends and families join our visits and chat with us was a wonderful addition.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the batik and djembe workshops! Learning these two traditional practices gave me a deeper appreciation for the fashion and music of Senegal. Having activities in which we could participate and actively learn about the culture in a hands-on approach was an added bonus.

The program was really well done. Everything was clear and organized and I felt prepared for our trip.

I highly recommend experiencing the amazing travel opportunities Vive L’expérience provides!

I was a little nervous about this trip, never having traveled to Africa before, but Vive prepared us SO WELL with our pre-trip Zoom meetings. Katy’s calm demeanor, directness and clarity, and good humor are the perfect qualities in a tour leader. During the trip, she made sure (as much as possible in the unpredictable world of travel in Sénégal) that everything went smoothly to maximize our time. For example, she would call ahead to restaurants with our orders, so our food was (usually!) ready when we got there. The trip was extremely well-designed, starting out with a relaxing seaside location in a small village which was perfect for getting acclimated. The hustle and bustle of Dakar happened when we were over our jet lag and could fully engage. Next was the medium-sized city of Saint-Louis, with a relaxing last day again by the seaside in another peaceful spot. We ate extremely well, and care was taken at every meal to accommodate dietary needs and preferences. Food safety protocols were observed at all times to help us all stay as healthy as possible.

When you’re traveling to a place outside of your comfort zone, awkward conversations sometimes have to happen (think bathroom issues!), and both Katy and our assistant trip leader, Katie, made it easy. They were 100% approachable and supportive at all times.

Professionally, this trip was a game-changer. I have worked hard for the past several years to incorporate francophone Africa in my curriculum but lacked the first-hand knowledge to do so confidently. Now I feel like I can center Africa in my lessons, and I am so happy about that! I know it will make a huge difference to my students.

Personally, there were so many moments on this trip that will remain forever engraved in my memory and in my heart. Since reading le petit Prince in high school many years ago, I have thought baobabs were so cool. Now I have not only seen them but hugged one. Driving around Maine and Vermont, I love seeing all the green, but I sincerely miss seeing those quirky, enormous, fun trees.

The highlight of the trip for me, and one of the most moving experiences of my life, was when we visited the Centre Africulturban and met Matador and Zénixx. Singing with them and talking about Manie Musicale with people in Sénégal who are trying to lift up young people with music, art, and poetry, was truly inspiring.

I visited Auschwitz with my husband several years ago. You cannot visit a place like that without being changed forever. L’île de Gorée was like that as well. Horrific, but important to visit and I learned so much.

I could go on and on about this trip. It has changed my life and I am still processing it. I have one word of advice for people considering this experience: GO. You won’t regret it.