Tanzania: Perfect, for anyone. Past Review
By Grant I (Earth systems science, University of California - Merced) for
University of Dar es Salaam: Dar es Salaam - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It changed the way I think, I won't every think about the world in the way I did before Africa. That's too worthwhile to me.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload, grading system, teaching methods, and just about anything else relating to academics differ. The coursework isn't as strenuous, but the professors expect you to study, and they don't expect you to be involved in lecture. Lecture is treated more as a period where students just listen and ask few questions. I know this may sound disheartening, but it makes sense when you view it from a Tanzanian, or really just different perspective. The Professors there to tell you what he knows, not to inspire you're critical thinking or personal growth directly, there's a discussion for that. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Host staff were fabulous and always accommodating. They always made sure we were safe in Dar es Salaam or anywhere else. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
You hand wash your laundry, water doesn't always run,and is never hot. It's fairly easy to adjust too if approached with an open mind. |
| * Food: |
Fruit is good, by the end I would eat the food everyday no problem. Just repetitive at times. Chapati and tea was my favorite. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The programs arranged by CIEE are great, and everyone in Tanzania is so friendly it's hard to not make friends and memories. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The host city is safe, and there is an orientation so no student is ignorant on what is dangerous. There is not a strong police presence, but safety was never something to complain about for me though, remember I am a male though and this is just my experience. Do more research if you're worried about safety in Dar es Salaam and East Africa. |
| 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50-70$ a week, with going out to eat a couple times a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Everything is fairly cheap. Eating out every night can add up, as well as cabs. Electronics are more expensive in Africa, so bring batteries, and don't plan on buying anything like a camera, laptop etc. for cheap. It's best to buy one in the states before coming. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I didn't take a class prior. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
You could practice Swahili with anyone, anywhere. People at the university spoke English, but Swahili always helps get the point across more clearly. Most of the Swahili I would say that you need to learn are: Greetings, How to order food, use a taxi, negotiate a price, get around, directions etc... Basically just survival terms. |
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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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? | Have an open mind and laugh when things get stressful, remember where you came from, but forget who you are. |
