A humbling experience that you wish you could go back to. Past Review
By tiffany c (Human Biology, Anthropology, SUNY - Albany) - abroad from 09/02/2013 to 12/15/2013 with
Global Service Corps: Tanzania – Fall, Spring and Summer Service-Learning Community Development Programs
It has been 6 months since I returned from Arusha. Everything I learned has been incorporated in my daily life in one way or another. It does not consume my thoughts and interfere with the way I live here, however, it has changed my behavior in a positive way. Many of my actions, regardless of how simple they can be, are inspired by the many lessons I learned there. The transition back into American life was a bumpy at first, but I am extremely proud of the person I am becoming and the changes I've made thanks to the local population and especially the GSC staff members.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
A very extensive 2 week long course in sustainable agriculture and HIV/AIDS, but I felt very well informed about the subjects I would be required to teach. We also learned Swahili by a GSC teacher who gave us a very good introduction to the language. The rest of the GSC staff is very encouraging and helpful when you are trying to learn the language and pick up more vocabulary. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The GSC staff was more than helpful. They are very thorough with informing us everything they have in store for us. They are very helpful and I felt I could go to them for any questions I had. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family really made me feel apart of their family. I volunteered at GSC with one other girl the whole time in Tanzania and her host family also made me feel like I was a part of their family as well. Both families were very understanding of western cultures and tried to accommodate for our cultural differences. |
| * Food: |
The basic African diet is a little difficult to adjust to since it mainly consists of beef and carbohydrates but GSC and my host family made sure that every meal had enough fruits and vegetables with my meals to make sure I had a well balanced diet. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was able to completely engulf myself in the culture. The local Tanzanian culture is very welcoming to outside visitors. Although at first it does seem irritating how often people greet you, it is part of the Tanzanian culture you learn to love. It is all positive and I enjoyed interacting and meeting new people. On weekends, if I wasn't doing things I would walk up and down my street and buy fruits from vendors and sit and talk to people. We |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I actually became really ill on my stay there. I assumed it would be malaria since I decided not to take prophylaxes, however, it was not. My host family responded to my issue very seriously and made sure everyone responsible for me in Tanzania was aware I was being safely treated. Although GSC stressed the importance of malaria prevention before I went, I opted out of taking prophylaxes on my own accord. |
| * Safety: |
I did not have any safety issues during my stay there. GSC's welcome packet did warn me of areas and activities to stray away from and I did take precaution when I was out past dark. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
It is incredibly easy to get around on a student's budget. Each week we are given a stipend for my meals. It is way more than enough to get along and have a weekly splurge of western food at a mzungu restaurant on the weekend. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $0-25 USD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to eat local foods. Take advantage of the fresh fruits and local markets. It can be really easy to rack up a high bill at western restaurants if you go frequently. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
I attempted to speak Swahili as much as I could and the staff members were aware of that. They encouraged me to use the language as much as I could since I was so interested. They were very helpful and always tried to teach me new vocabulary each day so I can expand on what I say when I communicate with the local community instead of the same structured conversations. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | n/a |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | You can easily go about without knowing Swahili. The local community in Arusha do know English and are excited to speak English to you. For GSC work you will be with the GSC staff members who will translate for you. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Pack less clothes and bug spray. I had so much extra baggage than I needed. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
