On 22 February, Dance in Education year 2 & year 3 boarded the plane to experience an extraordinary journey in Senegal. Sleepy and confused, the students arrived in the middle of the night at Ecole des Sables founded by Germaine Acogny and Helmut Vogt. Soon the confused faces turned into gazing eyes peering over the horizon. 

After a day exploring the village of Toubab Dialaw, the four weeks of training in traditional and contemporary African dance began led by Germaine Acogny, Patrick Acogny, Khady Aye Badji, Mammadou Balde, Aminata Cairo, Melvin Fraenk, Maxi Hill, Yama Ndione, Tchebe Bertrand Saky & Alesandra Seutin. Each day started at 7:30 am with breakfast. This was followed soon after by the two morning dance classes from 9:15 am to 12:45 pm. Before the dance classes started, we jointly opened the day with a morning ritual in which we thanked nature, the surroundings and each other. 

Every day, a sumptuous lunch and dinner was cooked for us by the kitchen team. After lunch, it was time to cool off in the sea and swimming pool, then artistic afternoon classes would follow quickly. Beautiful performances blossomed from the collaborations between the West African dancers and Dance in Education students. The great thing about this was that the students got to decide where their performance took place within the premises. 

The entire four weeks were dedicated to “Ubuntu”, an African principle which stands for connection between people, or, 'I am, because we are.' The students embraced this life wisdom in their hearts and experienced a journey that they will bear with them forever.

Report by student Isa van Hees - DD3