Tanzania
Tanzania, known for its natural wonders from Mt. Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti, is one of the most unique countries in Africa because of both its post-colonial socialist background and its relative stability and honest leadership in an unstable region. Washington College offers students a 22-day summer course on politics, culture, economy, and sustainable development in Tanzania itself.
“I think one of the things that makes the Tanzania program so unique is the fact that there are very few programs that actually go to Africa,” says Dr. Tahir I. Shad, Associate Professor of Political Science, Director of the International Studies Program, and Curator of the Goldstein Program in Public Affairs. “This one gives you a chance to spend three weeks in Tanzania.”
The course focuses on the familiar problems associated with Africa: poverty, unemployment, health, debt, and the conflicts between tradition and the lures of a changing world. Students are enriched by travel to one of Tanzania’s national parks, traditional Maasai communities, coffee co-ops, government agencies, and health care centers.
“Anyone interested in the complicated study of development will certainly enjoy discovering first hand the complexities and challenges that exist in trying to cultivate positive change without destroying indigenous culture and knowledge,” says student Kathleen O’Neill, a recent trip participant. “I strongly recommend this trip for anyone who enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, and all of the experiences that come with being surrounded by the seemingly unfamiliar and discovering that it’s more familiar than you first thought.”
In addition to visiting development agencies, students also go on a wildlife safari that includes hiking to the first base of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
“You get to explore the culture, wildlife, and marine life,” says Dr. Shad. “It transforms the way you look at the world when you return.”
Students receive four credits for participating in the Tanzania program and for writing a final research paper. Cost vary each year depending on the number of participants. The trip deposit is $1000. The price of the trip includes air and ground travel, accommodations, meals (all breakfasts, most lunches, and several evening meals), guides and translators.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Tahir Shad Director of the International Studies Program at tshad2@washcoll.edu.
Downloads
- Sample Trip Schedule (PDF)
- Trip Application (PDF) - Please bring the completed application and essay to Cindy Licata (clicata2@washcoll.edu), Faculty Secretary, located in 224 Goldstein Hall.
Related Links
- The Goldstein Program in Public Affairs
- The International Studies Program
- The Global Education Office
Possible Internship Sites
Initiative for youth
-Deals with community development
-Works with local government
-Interns would work with youth clubs, helping students with their studies, life skills, home based care
-Interns can also work within their agricultural sector which helps with new farming techniques, erosion issues and counseling
-Meetings are also held on health education ** Very excited to have volunteers and start a yearly program!
Mawana Youth and Women Development
-Works within and outside of Arusha with many ngo’s including WIA
-Main purpose is to educate women and children in rural maasai bomas in explaining their rights as people, as well as education on HIV/AID awareness and FGM
-Example: Those in the Longido District
**Been talking with them since the beginning, very interested!
Huruma Children Center
20 orphans
-In need of teaching life skills and English
-“Habitat for Humanity” type of scenario - maybe we can develop another program with those that are in our chapter at WAC
-Also in need of environmentally prone students for maintaining their farms and enhancing agricultural techniques
Rehoboth Orphans Family
-12 orphans
-Services they provide to orphans; shelter, clothing, food, education
Precious Orphanage
-9 orphans
-In need of everything **These three orphanages are roughly 35 minutes outside of arusha, all around one another. However, the Huruma Children Center has just finished building a house which can hold 10 people. With a negotiated price of $8 per month per intern. Running water, electric… and if we were to have students here, they would have a chef for all of their meals. Also there are two different hospitals located 5 minutes from their location. Great people who really need help its run by a father and son.
Africa Volunteer House
Location: Ijiro
Ujamaa Hostil
Ujamaa Volunteer Experience
Ujamaa Children Home
Post according to volunteers interests at different sites; schools, womens groups, wouldn’t give me exact details however
Roots and Shoots
-This is not established yet but at the end of July we met Dr. Jane Goodall and she discussed how she wants to put in a Roots in Shoots in Arusha. They were going to start developing it in September and were hoping for volunteers�
Mkombozi
-A clinic that deals with the “street children” of Arusha
-Interns would educate them on a mobile school throughout town
-Introduce the children to different working techniques
-Help them with life skills and pointing them in the right direction
** They are interested however they usually want people for at least 6 months. But after discussing who we are and what we do, they began to open up more to the idea. They plan on notifying me on their decision soon
Internship Evaluations
Cortnee Doll
Pros: The program met my expectations. I loved that all of the programs offered were different and allowed us freedom to do what we wanted. Everyone involved with Terrawatu was amazing!
Cons: Make Adam happier and more talkative, have Hilda put together sentences in class rather than just vocabulary words, have intern sites give specific daily sites because some days we did nothing, Arusha resort was to expensive
Zara Shad
Pros: The program met my expectations. The program allowed me to learn and understand about Tanzanian life; its good points and the problems. Everyone in Terrawatu was perfect!
Cons: Disorganization, more discipline for students, specific tasks should be given to students each day from volunteer site
Anonymous
Pros: The program met my expectations in terms of layout and internship procedure however I did feel I was not as effective at my internship spot due to lack of preparation and understanding. Everyone was very nice and friendly.
Cons: Adam needs to smile and talk more, but overall very nice. Need more organization before going in preparation for volunteer sites. More work sites needed.
Megan Willis
Pros: The program was fantastic. Terrawatu staff was calm, patient, kind and considerate.
Cons: Need more weekend activities. Communication between staff and students could be better. Please clarify tips and appropriate amounts of money needed before going on the trip
Sarah Keating
Pros: I was pleased with the program. The staff was joyful and enthusiastic except adam was not very outgoing
Cons: The program was very expensive. A lot like the seminar. More variety in weekend programs. Volunteer sites need more things for students to do.
Katharine Miller
Pros: I had a great experience on this trip; it taught me a great amount about another culture. Everyone was absolutely wonderful
Cons: Adam personality towards the students was not inviting and when asked if he could take us extra places, he complained. Need more organization. Arusha resort personnel were very rude on several occasions
Anonymous
Pros: My work sites were a great learning experience and the accommodations and activities were great! All the personnel of Terrawatu were wonderful.
Cons: Adam needs to be more lively and responsive, thought he was mad at us. Safaris were very expensive. More work sites and make them relevant, not just making beaded necklaces at wia. Never enough towels at arusha resort.
Kara Henson
Pros: The program was great. I learned so much and it kills me to have to leave already. I did more during these six weeks than I thought I would which was fabulous. The staff were all sweethearts except adam needs to be more talkative and approachable
Cons: It could have been more organized. Several instances where we did not know who was picking us up in the morning or when they were. The price is very expensive for safari and volunteer program, inform students on prices before going.
