Florida International University-FIU, based in Miami in the United States, is bringing students on a tour of West African nations, including The Gambia and Senegal, as part of their study abroad programme. The party arrived in Banjul on 3rd June 2013, after a short visit in Senegal over the past weeks.
During their stay in The Gambia, the FIU students will visit Makasutu, Juffureh, and Kunta Kinteh Island, Tendaba Camp, the National Museum in Banjul, the University of the Gambia Campus, Janjangbureh and the Stone Circles in Wassu and other sites around The Gambia.
The programme is designed to provide students with an introduction to West African cultures and traditions.
The programme is meant to explore the growing centrality of tourism, particularly cultural and heritage tourism as significant sector of the global economy.
The touring students would be introduced to some of West Africa’s largest ethnic groups, and gain rudimentary understanding of the Wolof language and culture. Each year, more than 600 FIU students travel on study, research, or intern abroad in dozens of countries throughout the world.
