Karibu Tanzania Study Abroad
2019 Tanzania Study Tour, Environment, Culture & Human Services
Led by Dr. Bruce Roberts (Anthropology/Earth Science) and Dr. John Benson (School of Teaching and Learning) this unique immersive, experiential educational opportunity will focus on the challenges of delivering basic social services - healthcare and education – to the diverse population of this rapidly developing nation. This program is open to students of all majors.
Both instructors have extensive firsthand experience in Tanzania, offering students unique insights into the cultures and people of this incredibly warm and hospitable country. This program will include structured hands-on learning opportunities, site visits to schools, universities/colleges, health clinics and hospitals, as well as “safaris” to several of Tanzania’s National Parks. Activities will be complemented with readings, thematic lectures, and structured group discussion. Face-to-face class meetings will prepare students for their field experience and will be held on Jan. 24, Feb. 7, Feb. 21, Mar. 21, Apr. 4, and May 2. Travel to Tanzania will be May 19-June 8, 2019. Tuition can be banded with Spring 2019 registration and enrolled students will be eligible for financial aid.
What will we be doing in Tanzania?
Well, besides having the time of your life you will learn a little bit about what life is really like in Africa. The images that most outsiders have of Africa tend to be either naively idyllic (think Lion King) or distorted, regarded as a land of famine, war, and corruption. The real Africa is much more complex than the stereotypes and as diverse as anywhere else is in the world. Africa is actually a continent comprised of 54 sovereign nations. Tanzania is just one of them but it is big, diverse, and extremely welcoming! It's the perfect place for your introduction to Africa!
This study tour will include some traditional tourist elements such as climbing part of Mount Kilimanjaro and visiting several national parks. However, it will also expose you to how the vast cultural differences have been united using Kiswahili and the continued legacy of Julius Nyerere's policy of Ujaama. We will do that by examining how social services such as education and basic health care have been provided in Tanzania since it attained independence from Britain in 1962.
- The Usambara Mountains, a beautiful area with a unique ecosystem and well developed cultural tourism programs.
- Moshi and Arusha, large and bustling towns in northern Tanzania located at the feet of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.
- Arusha, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara, three vastly different national parks reveal some of Tanzania’s varied environments.
- Haydom Lutheran Hospital, founded in 1955 by the Norwegian Lutheran Mission and the 4 Corners Cultural Program, where members of Africa’s 4 major linguistic groups meet to display the lifestyles of hunters-gatherers, pastoralists, and agriculturalists.
- Foundation for African Medicine and Education, founded in 1992 by Dr. Frank Artress and Susan Gustafson as a mobile medical clinic it subsequently added an outpatient clinic, a laboratory, and a 24 bed outpatient hospital.
- Rift Valley Children’s Village. Provides a home to approximately 100 marginalized children from the Karatu region of northern Tanzania.
In addition to visiting these many exciting places, you will also encounter Kiswahili, the national language of Tanzania. Although spoken in many parts of East Africa, Tanzania is THE home of Kiswahili and people take great pride in its linguistic beauty and its symbolic role as a unifying force. Although we will not have time for any formal language instruction, you will be strongly encouraged to acquire as much you can in the short time you are here. Tanzanians are incredibly patient with wazungu (foreigners, specifically white people) who try to learn even a little bit of Kiswahili.
How much will it cost?
The following is an estimated budget:
(Includes airfare, accommodations, meals, ground transportation, group entrances, tips & guides, id card and travel insurance)
- Because this course is part of the spring schedule, you can include the tuition with your “band” (13-19 credits is same as 12 credits! $3,704.50).
- The program fee includes round-trip airfare from Fargo. That alone can average about $2300+ depending upon the time of year, airline, number of stops, etc. Many other similar programs do not include this! For example:
- Stony Brook University (New York) Summer in Tanzania. 24 days (May 28-June 20) $4300 program fee does not include international airfare.
- Purdue University Tanzania Study Abroad Program. 28 days. $4500 program fee does not include international airfare.
- Wilkes University (Pennsylvania) Global Engagement in Tanzania. The cost for the two week program is $4,159 and this fee does not include international airfare.;