Teraanga, is a Wolof word loosely translated as "hospitality" in English, but the concept extends beyond literal definition. It's more than just a practice; it's a philosophical code, a very strong social value, where families invite strangers in need into their homes. It's based on the belief that a family who assists a visitor and extends such hospitality ensures that their own children will never find themselves away from home without help or support. If everyone does it, everyone benefits.

Woodstock Academy’s connection with Senegal began as a passion of French Teacher Merry Burke, who frequently teaches about Africa in her classes. In 1996, Mme Burke started collaborating with former Academy teacher, Paul Cunningham in their French and International Relations classes in an effort to diversify the cultural educational climate at Woodstock Academy. After two years of preparation, the first group of students from Woodstock Academy traveled to Senegal in the spring of 1998.

A second successful trip to Africa took place in the spring of 2001; on each trip, students visited local schools. In 2001, the Minister of Education from the World Links Program, a branch of the World Bank, escorted the group to the Mariama Bâ School on Gorée Island in Dakar, Senegal. At that time, the school’s director, Madame Ramatoulaye Dieng expressed an interest in a cultural exchange with Woodstock Academy. Students from both schools showed great interest in such an exchange.

As a result of this invitation, fifteen students and two teachers from the Mariama Bâ School were hosted by families in our school community in September of 2003. In April 2004, students from Woodstock Academy traveled to Senegal to be hosted by the Mariama Bâ School. In the fall of 2006, 11 students and one teacher from Mariama Bâ came to Woodstock Academy for the second exchange between the two schools. In April 2007, a group of Academy students, teachers, and community members visited Senegal to complete the second exchange with the Mariama Bâ school on Gorée Island. The group spent a week at the school attending classes, attending djembe drumming lessons, and taking day trips to Dakar, the capital of Senegal. Upon leaving the school, they toured Senegal stopping in St. Louis, visiting Touba, the largest Mosque in West Africa, the Bandia animal preserve, the Djoudj bird sanctuary, and the Pink Lake. The highlight of the trip was working with African musicians at Toubab Dialo. Woodstock Academy students will host a group of students from Mariama Bâ in the Fall of 2009 and will travel to Senegal in April 2010. There, they will be hosted by the Mariama Bâ School and will travel around the country.

The exchange between the two schools was highly successful. Students made life-long friends and explored new career possibilities. The enthusiasm generated in the community was great and each year we are asked, "When are our friends from Senegal returning?" We are now working on the implementation of the third exchange which will take place in the fall of 2009 and April 2010.

Many of our students have gone on to pursue careers in International Relations, join the Peace Corps, and work for non-profits in undeveloped and developing nations. Some have studied abroad, choosing Africa as the continent of choice.

We strongly believe that the students who travel with us return to this country as citizens of the world with new perspectives and shared understandings of the human condition. We know that borders between countries, once daunting, are now intriguing to our students. The students who host visitors from around the world are forever changed by their new connections.