Abdou Sall

Student

“International Students must go on the guided tour of the school. It’s very important to be able to locate all of the different buildings.”

The family of Abdou Sall from Senegal has very nearly started a tradition at SMC. “I have two brothers who have studied here. They both recommended it, so now I’m the third brother at SMC. I’m majoring in political science and I’m thinking about UCLA or Berkeley. But if I can find a cheaper university,” he says with a laugh, “then that’s the one I’ll go to.”

Abdou plans on going into law, in essence to become the legal brains behind one of his family’s businesses. “I’d like to go into building law because I have a brother who’s an agent in buildings,” he explains. “My family has always been in business, in computers. And one of my brothers is an economist. So whatever I end up doing, I’m sure that my legal skills will be important.”

Abdou speaks English beautifully, several African dialects—including Wolof, which the majority of his people speak—and French which is the official language of Senegal. And yet, like many other international students making their way in a strange new country, Abdou has had difficulties in situations that most Americans—raised in the system—might take for granted. “I was nearly dropped by my economics teacher for missing a class,” he says. “And when I explained to her that I couldn’t find my way there, she was very understanding. Also,” he continues, “I have a math class at 8 and an English class at 2, which is difficult. If I had known about it, I would have chosen different times.”

But Abdou has adjusted, in general, to life at SMC very well. “I study a lot at the Cayton Center where I meet with students from all over the world. We exchange ideas and do a lot of homework together.” He plans on one day returning to Senegal. “It’s very beautiful back home, tropical and with beautiful beaches. I want to serve my country in some way. It’s a good country, and I’m proud of it.”

Back