SIT Study Abroad: Tanzania: Wildlife Conservation

We were able to experience so much throughout the semester through cultural immersion and wildlife observations that went far beyond my expectations. The staff and teachers were all so welcoming and helpful, and I learned so much while having an amazing and fun semester.

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I really cannot say enough amazing things about this program, it truly was a life-changing experience. From the moment I arrived in Tanzania, the teachers and staff made me feel immediately welcomed and at home. Their knowledge and expertise in the field were extremely impressive and helped create an engaging and supportive learning environment. One of the most impactful aspects of the program was the hands-on, immersive experience. We spent 30 nights camping and participated in daily game drives, where I saw more wildlife biodiversity than I ever imagined. These experiences brought the course material to life and deepened my understanding of wildlife conservation in a real-world context. The homestay is another unique immersive opportunity and was one of my favorite parts of the program! I felt my homestay family quickly became like my real family and I am still in touch with them today. It was also incredibly meaningful to engage with and learn from local Maasai communities. Through these interactions, I developed crucial skills for ethical social science data collection and gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of community perspectives in conservation work. The independent study project is another amazing opportunity to conduct research on a topic you are passionate about. I studied the impacts of climate change on the predominantly women-run seaweed farming industry. The program offered a great balance of independence to explore a topic of interest while also providing valuable on-the-ground connections and support from faculty.This program had a lasting impact on my academic and personal interests, and I am currently in the process of publishing my research through the Middlebury Journal of Global Affairs.

SIT was one of my favorite parts of my college experience, and probably my life. I met some of my best friends to this day on this program. You get to know your classmates and professors very well and they become a second family. From camping in the Serengeti and seeing the Great Migration pass by my very eyes, to living with a host family that takes care of you as their own, I had the study abroad experience of a lifetime.

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Traveling to Africa was always an experience I was looking forward to, however, I never thought that I would be able to immerse myself in the culture for a whole semester. I was able to learn a completely new language, live with a host family, see animals I have dreamed about since I was a little kid, and I made so many lasting connections. We were also pushed academically to complete and independent research project. Mine was on wildlife veterinarians so I was able to interview veterinarians and even got to shadow a sanctuary veterinarian. I would do it all over if I had the chance.

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