Africa Semester - Zanzibar, Uganda, Tanzania
The Africa semester boasts rich opportunities for living and working alongside like-minded individuals and organizations committed to the empowerment of local communities of Uganda and Tanzania. Experience the contradiction of impoverished groups residing in lush landscapes and the broad, white smiles from orphans faced with the adversity of the AIDS epidemic. Trek with Maasai tribesmen out of the Ngorogoro, participate in environmental conservation efforts on the Nile, build houses for needy families, and practice your newly-learned Swahili while volunteering with street children orphaned by AIDS. Reward all of your hard work by earning open water SCUBA certification in Zanzibar at the end of your semester. More than any other, this semester is rooted in diverse volunteer opportunities that all involve "getting your hands dirty" while loving every minute of it.
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"He clearly values the experience he had in Africa, and speaks of the people he met there, and his trip mates with real affection. His photos are amazing. One of his teachers has asked him to write a piece for the school newspaper explaining what the Gap year option can and should be. He happily agreed. We all feel the approach we took to this year was the best decision we could possibly have made. We were so lucky your program was available, and as well thought out and managed as it turned out to be."
Uganda
Orientation:
Have 3-4 days of orientation at a beautiful Kampala backpackers' resort to get your feet on the ground, break through the haze of jet lag, and learn more about the program and each other. Spend time discussing hard skills including health and safety, cultural dos and don'ts, and get acquainted with the local environment. During this time you will also work on group communication skills and team-building activities, as well as set your intentions for the semester.
HIV/AIDS work:
Spend a week volunteering on a variety of projects in support of an HIV/AIDS orphanage based in Fort Portal, Uganda. Students have the opportunity to play with the kids, to but will spend the majority of their time on construction or other projects needed by the organization. Afternoons are free to spend with local families or participate in optional cultural activities such as: traditional cooking, outdoor conservation work, etc. On the weekends there is time to organize trips into town for email and other fun explorations of your environs.
Education work:
After a day or two off in Jinja, spend a week volunteering for an NGO that is working closely with the Ugandan government to improve the quality of education, both in terms of instruction and infrastructure. Volunteer in the mornings, and study Swahili in the afternoons as a preparation for your time in Tanzania. Meet international volunteers from around the world who share a passion for the future of Uganda.
Environmental Conservation:
Spend a week volunteering at a local environmental project doing anything from trail maintenance to working at an ecological reserve. Typically the things they need done pertain to fundraising ... but for the time being we work with local organizations to get the physical labor piece done in a way that promotes sustainable development and thereby more financial resources for the communities. Accommodations will vary from semester to semester: they may be as Spartan as a shack, or as nice as an eco-resort.Tanzania
Border Crossing:
Students travel overland from Kampala to Bukoba village crossing the Tanzanian border along the way. Have a few days to explore the small but vibrant town of Bukoba before traveling onto Mwanza via overnight ferry.Safari:
After recouping in Mwanza, the group is picked up by jeep to spend about two days on overland safari through the Serengeti and staying in permanent campsite accommodations with experienced guides. Pass through the Serengeti to come upon the Ngorongoro Crater where you'll take a day of game-drives. After overnighting, embark on a three-day hiking safari led by local Maasai tribesmen and a team of donkeys to Lake Manyara. The hike is a great introduction to the Maasai tribe. From Manyara, finish the safari time by traveling by Land Rovers to a rural community about 20 minutes outside of Arusha.Language Study:
Spend two more weeks studying Kiswahili and living with local villages outside of Arusha. Afternoons are free for time with homestays and group activities. During the weekends we have opportunities to travel into the crazy town of Arusha for email, shopping, and perhaps an opportunity to see the UN International War Tribunal for Rwanda in action.
Social Service:
Spend up to two weeks in the mountain town of Moshi working with street kids, many of whom have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS and were thus left to the streets. You will have plenty of opportunity to practice your new Swahili skills as most of the kids speak no English. Your group will build a specific curriculum during the course of your travels that will be implemented while working with the kids.Student-directed Travel:
Spend a week traveling an itinerary of the group's design. This is a great time to test (and perhaps show off!) some of the travel-savvy and leadership skills you have gleaned along the way,including arranging the group's logistics while sticking to a budget--all under the watchful eye of your leaders, of course!Zanzibar
SCUBA:
Take a 1.5 hour boat ride from Dar Es Salaam on the mainland of Tanzania to the island of Zanzibar for a week of rest and recreation. Students live in a hotel on the beach and take a course leading to PADI or SSI Basic Open Water SCUBA certification. Higher levels of certification are available for those with previous dive experience. When not diving, students have time for lazing on the beach, emailing to friends, and feasting on the variety of local seafoods.Program Details
Program Dates:
Spring 2009: February 11 - May 5, 2009
Fall 2009: September 9 - December 2, 2009
Group Size:
A maximum of 12 Students & 2 Adult Leaders
Eligibility:
Ages 17 and Up
Academic Credit:
Up to 18 credits available
Language Requirement:
None
Admissions:
No deadline - applications accepted on a rolling basis until start date.
Starting & Ending:
San Francisco, California. Our travel agent will price the most economical options and notify participants
Program Fee:
$8,900 Program fee includes all food, accommodations, and scheduled program activities for the duration of the program. International and domestic airfare, health insurance and spending money are extra. International airfare estimated at $1800; internal Tanzanian flight estimated at $180. For information on Financial Aid click here.
