One aspect of travelling to Senegal which would likely provide a big challenge, is the language barrier. As mentioned in previous blogs, the most commonly spoken language is Wolof, and the official language is French. There are also other tribal languages spoken and a small portion of Portuguese.
I am an English speaker who is also competent in Spanish. After some research of travel blogs and articles it seems that there are very few English speakers in Senegal. Seeing as though greetings, positive interactions and hospitality are at the heart of Senegalese culture, a significant language barrier between myself and the locals could potentially hinder my experience of authentic culture.
It is possible that this barrier may also cause me to have culture shock. Not being able to have in depth conversations in a foreign country can be quite stressful. Although I crave difference when travelling, if I am not able to immerse myself in the culture, feel out of place and am not able to converse properly, this may effect my experience. I usually like to travel solo, but this may be a trip where travelling with a friend who can act as a familiar point of reference may be necessary.
It is also worth noting that this language barrier may expose me to scams and cause me trouble with ordering and paying, among other everyday activities.
It seems necessary then, to at least learn a basic level of French (much easier to learn in Australia than Wolof) in order to increase my experience.
Reference list (in order):
Melbourne to Senegal: A travel blog 