Tanzania

Now More Than Ever...

There is a clear and pressing need to engage with our world in an ACTIVE way. The world needs young leaders to fight for social justice and equal rights. Are you up for the challenge? Then be part of COSA™ - the only study abroad program working to create sustainable change though advocacy!

COSA - Community Organizing and Social Activism

Learn the practical skills to be an active agent of change and social justice. Study the many international efforts in history, learn from these efforts and use them to develop a personal ethic of service, advocacy and civic engagement. COSA will teach you the skills of community organizing and will empower you to create sustainable change in your own communities.

The IPSL program in Tanzania offers an opportunity for students to study the Swahili language in a country where it originated. The northern city of Arusha, the capital of Tanzania, is an international center for human rights. Arusha is a major international diplomatic hub and is the home of the (now disbanded) International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and hosts the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. Situated at the base of Mount Meru (the second highest mountain in Tanzania after Kilimanjaro), the climate is temperate and wildlife preserves and national parks and forests are numerous.

Sustainable Service through the IPSL Service-Learning Plus Program!

IPSL students may have an exclusive opportunity to work and live in Moshi City at the base of Kilimanjaro volunteering at a local sustainable development NGO. The Karanga Technical Training Centre supports youth in learning a variety of skills to provide the certificate needed to enter a Technical college, skills to start their own business or work for a company as a skilled and educated tradesperson. The trades taught include: tailoring, woodworking, welding, masonry, and more. IPSL students can volunteer to support English language learning, computer literacy, exam preparation as well as help with the trades.

The center also has two permanent environmental initiatives involving educating the local community about preserving their water source and forest lands. Students could provide hands-on support to clean the local river, educate the community and establish and implement programs to raise environmental awareness. Students might also contribute to sustainable forest harvesting initiatives that educate locals on good forest practices as well as community business programs utilizing locally made wood products.

By experiencing another region of Tanzania and serving in an organization doing different work from the ones students volunteer with in Arusha, a deeper understanding of the wide-ranging issues Tanzania is grappling with is achieved. IPSL students return each semester to Moshi and the Karanga Technical Training Centre to help further the goals of the community and engage in hands-on service to promote equitable relationships, social justice and sustainable change for local communities.

Experience Tanzania like a local...not a tourist.

Time spent in the city studying, volunteering and living with a Tanzanian family is combined with opportunities to explore the National Parks as well as the urban environment of Arusha and surrounding northern Tanzanian villages.

Program Highlights

Language of Instruction: English

Transcript issued from IPSL School of Record

Courses and Credits - Semester

Students may take up to 18 credits per semester.

Required

African Culture and Swahili Language | 3 credits
COSA in Tanzania - Community Organizing and Social Activism | 3 credits
Introduction to COSA | 3 credits

Electives

human rights
global health and epidemiology
women's health
sustainable development
peace studies
history and politics

Courses and Credits - Summer

Students take 2 required courses for 6 semester credits.

African Culture and Swahili Language | 3 credits
COSA in Tanzania (Community Organizing and Social Activism) | 3 credits

Courses and Credits - Summer Research in Action Program

Ethics in Advocacy Research and International Sustainable Development | 6 credits (Partial online course)

Service Opportunities

Opportunities for substantive service (approximately 15 hours per week) are generally available in the following areas:

Youth Development
Education
Environment
Medicine/Health
Social Service
Orphanages

Housing

Students will live in a homestay with a Tanzanian family who lives in Arusha. Bedrooms can be either single or double-occupancy and shared with another same-sex family member or other student. Full board is included. An integral part of the program, the homestay offers you the opportunity to make life-long friends, gain higher proficiency in the language, and experience the culture from "the inside." All IPSL host families are carefully selected and experienced with hosting students. Living with local residents is part of the immersion experience. Instead of being a tourist, an IPSL student gets to know what it's like to be part of a different culture.

Why IPSL?

We're really nice and support you in your journey!
We're the most experienced group in the field of International Service-Learning
You can make a real difference to people in need
You can FINALLY learn that language
You can dive deep into another culture!
To support our service organizations in a SUSTAINABLE way
GROW - expand your horizons and challenge your assumptions!

Program Director: Mr. Evans TEMI, M.A., M.S.

Mr. Temi has extensive experience working with international students, graduated in International Studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Oregon, and is very knowledgeable about his home country. He is a native of Arusha and he and his family have extensive connections (Universities, local government, service organizations, etc.) in Arusha and Tanzania.

Eligibility

The program welcomes students of any nation who have a high school diploma or equivalent credential. TOEFL equivalent 550. No African language requirement.

What's Included

Tuition and academic fees; academic transcript; on-site and on-line orientation and pre-departure materials; homestay housing; three meals per day, 7 days per week; service placement and supervision; volunteer permit fees; health insurance; pick-up and drop off at airport upon arrival and departure; academic excursions; administrative fees; and pre-departure materials.

What's NOT Included

Passport; visa; visa extension; vaccine fees; international airfare; books; personal spending money; local transportation; local cell phone; extra internet data and independent travel.

TANZANIA