Tanzania - No hurry in Africa Past Review
By Sarah J (pre-professional zoology, Ohio Wesleyan University) for
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Tanzania - Wildlife Management Studies
Tanzania was more than I ever expected it to be. I have always been an animal lover, but I definitely fell in love with the people and the culture in my time there. The educational experience of the program has no rival field site throughout the world. We drove through national parks for class! Class! There is no other place where you can have an encouter with a pride of lions laying around your vehicle or watching hyenas chase a baby buffalo. We saw all the animals in the "Lion King" and more. (It turned out to be the soundtrack of our trip but there was no denying that was what we were living). The experience changes your outlook on wildlife and people. The course is meant to get you to look at the small aspects that affect the larger picture. The professors and staff at SFS were helpful, caring, and incredibly interesting people. I learned something from everyone there, not just the professors. It is impossible not to smile when thinking about Tanzania.
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. |
The academics were intensive but very profitable. The lectures were tied in with field lectures and safaris, so class didn't feel like a typical class. We learned so much from our distinguished professor whose style was unlike any I have experienced. We had to do work but when you are loving and interested in the subjects, it does not feel like work at all. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff and professors were always accessible and helpful. They represented the program in the village and Tanzania and earned the respect we were given while we were there. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived in bandas in a campsite that was relatively new. It would definitely not be considered luxury if that is what you are looking for but it was awesome for all of us. The lists the program sends you tells you the things you need to bring but the staff was great in letting us borrow things we lost or forgot. We had a volleyball court in the camp and played soccer nearby as well as gorgeous views from paths to run on. The villagers were sweet and loved seeing us-we had a good reputation in the village and got to interact with people alot. I always felt safe in the camp, no one can rival how awesome our staff was. |
| * Food: |
There was always food! Some people including myself celebrated there birthday during the program and we had cake, even in the Serengeti! We were definitely never deprived, many options were available even a few goat roasts. I still miss the food! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was great to be in an area where everyone is happy all the time. People actually live the "hakuna matata" way! Smiling was just contagious. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety is an issue in East Africa but our staff and interns are there for us 24/7 and I always felt safe. When health issues arose, they took the students to the nearest hospital or treated some at the camp as they all are trained to a certain degree. I had a few experiences that were treated on site, and I felt like a had a million mothers looking out for me, everyone was concerned and helpful. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Many of the people spoke English or enough to communicate with but the villagers were helpful in allowing us to practice our Swahili with them. We learned Swahili from everyone: in class, from kids, from SFS staff,playing soccer,etc. Everyone was patient with us, and we were eager to learn. A mixture of English and Swahili was used in most conversations. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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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? | Someone who wants to challenge their boundaries and experience an entirely different atmosphere. Hakuna matata . . . |
