Yaoundé, Cameroon
Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon is located on a hilly forested plateau in the south-central part of the country. Cameroon lies at the junction of western and central Africa and it is often known as “Africa in miniature” because of its geographical and cultural diversity. This makes Yaoundé one of the best possible destinations for an intercultural study abroad experience in Africa.
Cameroon has rainforests as well as the desert, swamps and savannahs. Its richness of geographical features makes it quite unique. The country has also been defined as an “ethnic crossroads” because of its more than 200 different ethnic groups. There are three main linguistic families: Bantu, Sudanic and Semi-Bantu situated in different areas of the country. European missions and colonization led to the introduction of European languages: German during the colonial era and English and French later, which are still the official languages of the country.
More than half of the population, a comparatively high proportion, lives in urban areas especially in the largest cities of Douala, the country’s largest city and main port, and Yaoundé that is not only the capital but also an important transportation and communication center and the market for one of the richest agricultural areas in the country.
The nexus between SIS and Yaoundé was created through years of collaboration and various service-oriented projects. There is a lively Cameroonian community in Siena that has allowed for SIS to bridge the two locations and create lasting relations. With the right support and logistics a study abroad experience in Yaoundé can be enriching beyond words.