Programs
Workshop Leader: Airea Dee Matthews
Bryn Mawr Professor of Creative Writing
Guggenheim Fellow 2024
Airea D. Matthews received the 2024 Guggenheim Fellowship for poetry and served as Philadelphia's poet laureate from 2022 to 2023. Her first collection of poems is the critically acclaimed Simulacra, which won the 2016 Yale Series of Younger Poets Award. Her work has appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, Poetry, The New York Times, Gulf Coast, VQR, Best American Poets, American Poet, LitHub, Harvard Review, and elsewhere. Matthews holds a BA in economics from the University of Pennsylvania as well as an MFA from the Helen Zell Writers’ Program and an MPA from the Gerald Ford School of Public Policy, both at the University of Michigan. She is an associate professor of the creative writing program at Bryn Mawr College.
Immersion Writers Africa
When: January 3-9 2026
Where: Saly & Dakar, Senegal
Embark on a 7-day literary journey through Senegal, blending cultural immersion with creative rigor. Begin with three vibrant days in Dakar, through curated visits to Gorée Island, the Museum of Black Civilizations, and dynamic local markets. Then retreat for four intensive writing days in the serene coastal village of Saly. We're honored to welcome back Guggenheim Fellow Airea Dee Matthews to guide this unique experience. Whether you're a poet, journalist, scholar, professor, or storyteller working in any genre, this program meets you where you are and elevates your craft. Space is limited – join a select group of writers for this transformative experience at the intersection of culture and creation.
Program Tuition Includes:
Private accommodations (3 nights in Dakar, 3 nights in Saly)
Pre-departure syllabus
Daily breakfast + two group meals
4 afternoon workshop sessions with Airea Dee Matthews, including one-on-one feedback
Ground transportation between program locations
Curated visits to:
Gorée Island
Museum of Black Civilizations
Soumbedioune Market
Loman Art Gallery
African Renaissance Monument
Tuition Fee: $2,470
$250 registration fee + 4 monthly installments of $555
Global Learning: Spring Break
Where: Accra, Ghana
When: March 7-14, 2026
Join us for an unforgettable Spring Break in Ghana, where history, culture, and global learning converge! This immersive journey takes you to the heart of Ghana’s past and present—from reflections at Cape Coast Castle to the intellectual legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois at his Accra memorial. Walk in the footsteps of Kwame Nkrumah at his iconic mausoleum, explore Jamestown, and engage with local scholars and changemakers. Each day blends guided tours, interactive workshops, and group discussions, all while staying in a private villa that serves as our home base for reflection and connection. Designed for students eager to deepen their understanding of African history and contemporary Ghanaian society, this program promises inspiration, education, and adventure.
Decolonizing Education
When: January 2025
Where: Dakar, Senegal
Our Decolonizing Education Immersion Program welcomes undergraduate students to Senegal over winter term for eight days of service learning. Together we examine the specific ways that knowledge, education, and imagination have been impacted by colonization in the region—and the ways in which local communities have engaged with, resisted, reformed, and reimagined learning over the course of the 20th and 21st century. We will take lessons in Wolof and read about important figures and pedagogies in Senegalese history, while also participating in one education based community directed service project.