‘Year-long programs’ CategoryPage 4
These are study abroad programs that last the entire academic year
Things I Have Learned
My year in Tanzania has taught me many things. Here is a list of some of those things. How to barter in the market The basics of Swahili How to teach How to shower in water just above absolute zero The rules of tennis To cook local fare To tolerate internet that moves slower than […]
Bartering 101
In American culture the word shopping conjures up images of gossiping teenage girls clutching designer purses, and soccer moms pushing overflowing grocery carts through the isles of Cub-Foods with Junior sitting up front, screaming for a box of Coco-Puffs. In Tanzania, shopping is done a little differently. Sure, girls here, as all over the world, […]
Yes, Teacher
Now that you know a little more about schooling in Tanzania, I can tell you more about my adventures as a teacher. This year, before arriving in Tanzania, I thought perhaps I could volunteer at a school and help tutor or do other things. What I never expected was that I would become a teacher. […]
PT in TZ
Public transportation is very different here in Tanzania compared to the United States. In my rural mid-west hometown, we only have two forms of public transportation. We have a transit bus system which only works in-town and very few people use it. And we have school buses which are used exclusively by, you guessed it, […]
2 + 2 = 4
This year I have been teaching in a Tanzanian school. It has been interesting to see how things differ between schooling here and in the States. Here is a look at some of the things I’ve noticed. In Tanzania school years are arranged a bit differently. You start out at age seven with primary schooling […]
Fact Check That (Part 2 of 2)
Welcome back to part two of Getting to Know Tanzania Through Facts and Figures. This week we continue with facts and figures about the economy of Tanzania. Despite it’s natural beauty, Tanzania is in the bottom 10% of the world’s economies. Tanzania’s GDP, in terms of purchasing power (what goods in Tanzania would cost in […]
Tanzania Wears Prada
Brand names. Americans love them. Abercrombie and Fitch, Banana Republic, Columbia, GAP, Nike, Talbot, Birkenstock. Fashion is important in America, especially to younger people. Social status is defined by the names on the tags of your clothing. Consumers faithfully return to their favorite stores, spending a fortune on a pair of blue jeans. Many even […]
Sit! Stay! Roll Over!
Puppy chow, catnip and hamster wheels. Americans are obsessed with their pets. They feed them gourmet food, buy them little outfits for cold days, and leave them messages on the answering machine when they are away. Coming from a culture like that, it can be hard to understand African’s adversity to dogs and other animals. […]
Ready, Set, Remember!
Of all the subjects offered in school, physical education is the one students take least seriously. Gym is the ‘fun’ class where you receive little or no homework, play games most days and are guaranteed high marks if you just come to class. Most days, at the beginning of class we would do some exercises […]
Five Stars
Some of the most surprising differences in life here versus in the States are from the more common things that you normally don’t think about. One example would be movies. Acquiring and watching movies in Tanzania is quite different than in the States. Movies can be bought in small electronic shops or just off the […]