Study Abroad

Tanzania: East Africa Study Abroad Program

Tanzania: East Africa Study Abroad Program [PDF]

Program: Study Swahili Language and East African Culture. Open to undergraduate and graduate students
Dates: Summer (6 weeks) June 27 to August 9, 2008
Location: MS-Training Centre, Arusha, Tanzania
Cost: Ohio State Summer Quarter tuition plus a Study Abroad Program Fee of $2,500 (estimated) and additional expenses listed below.

The Program

The Intensive Swahili Language and Culture Program provides opportunities for students to extend and enrich their learning of Swahili. This six-week program offers over 150 contact hours of language training taught by faculty of the MS-Training Centre for Development Cooperation (MS-TCDC) in Arusha. In addition, students will be introduced to the rich heritage of East African culture and participate on field trips to places of historic and cultural importance.

The Location

The program is based at the MS-Training Centre for Development Cooperation (MS-TCDC) near Arusha, a city of over 1.6 million residents located in north Tanzania. Nestled on the slopes of Mount Meru, with a good view of Mount Kilimanjaro, MS-TCDC is set on one of the most beautiful landscapes in East Africa, not far from the best remaining game sanctuaries in the world: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara, and Arusha National Parks. The country's abundant natural resources include over 13,000 sq. miles (33,660 sq. km) of national parks and wildlife reserves. Tanzania has a population of over 34 million with more than 120 African ethnic groups. The official languages are Kiswahili and English.

The MS-Training Centre in Arusha

MS-TCDC (Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke - Training Centre for Development Cooperation) in Arusha is part of the NGO Danish Association for International Cooperation. The centre was opened in 1976 to prepare Danish volunteers for their assignments in different Eastern and Southern African countries. Today, the majority of more than 500 participants each year, including many from regional NGOs and UN staff, come for Swahili language classes and Development courses. MS-TCDC is a non-profit institution with 81 staff members.

Resident Director

The Ohio State Resident Director on-site will be Dr. Salome Fouts, Senior Lecturer and the Assistant African Language Coordinator in the Department of African-American and African Studies.

Eligibility

The program is open to regularly enrolled undergraduate and graduate students of all majors who are interested in Swahili language and culture. All applicants must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, and have successfully completed a minimum of two quarters of Swahili language. Interviews may be required as part of the application process. Students who have completed Swahili 102 will be placed into intermediate level classes. Students who have completed Swahili 104 will be enrolled in advanced Swahili classes.

Important notice about passports: Passports are required for every Ohio State study abroad program. If you do not currently have a valid passport, apply for one immediately. For many study abroad destinations, passport information is required to apply for an entry visa (as early as 6 months prior to departure). Information about applying for a passport.

Courses and Credit

Students will earn a total of 15 quarter credit hours. The Ohio State University course equivalents are as follows:

• Intermediate level Swahili 103 (5 hours) and 104 (5 hours)
• or advanced level Swahili 401 (5 hours) and 402 (5 hours)
• International Studies 697 (5 hours) - required for all students

Field Trips

The program includes field trips to sites in and around Arusha that are designed to enhance students' cultural knowledge and language skills. Students will have an opportunity to visit a local market, a primary school, Masai boma, coffee farm, orphanage / home for street kids, and women / youth groups. During these visits students will have interactive assignments and can practice their Swahili. Also include is a day-trip to nearby Arusha National Park, and a four-day field trip to Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, and Zanzibar.

Accommodations

Ohio State students will live in MS-Training Centre accommodations (double occupancy rooms) with full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner). A weekend home stay with a local family will be arranged, providing students an opportunity to experience everyday Tanzanian life, and exposing them to language and culture in an informal social setting.

Program Costs

The cost of the Summer 2008 program is Ohio State tuition plus a Study Abroad Program Fee of $2,500 (estimated), which includes in-country instruction, visa fees, accommodations (double rooms) in the MS-Training Centre, 3 meals per day, a weekend home stay with a local family, and field trips. Students are responsible for pre-departure expenses (passport, health appointment and immunizations), and for arranging and paying international round-trip airfare to Arusha's Kilimanjaro International Airport, some meals during field trips, and personal expenses.

Funding Opportunities for Study Abroad

For more information about funding resources available to Ohio State students and eligibility requirements.

Financial Aid

If you are an eligible student and are paying fees at Ohio State for at least half-time enrollment in an officially recognized Ohio State study abroad program, you will be able to receive most forms of federal, state, and universitycontrolled financial aid. For further information, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid, 340 Lincoln Tower or call 614-292-0300.

New and renewal financial aid applicants are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) electronically at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ by the March 1 priority deadline. Once you are accepted to participate in an Ohio State study abroad program, you are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor at 340 Lincoln Tower before you depart. To learn more about using your Ohio State financial aid.

Insurance

All students participating on Ohio State study abroad programs will receive supplementary medical insurance through HTH Worldwide Services. Students are required to maintain their regular insurance coverage while participating on Ohio State study abroad programs. Following University procedure, you will automatically be assessed a fee each quarter for Ohio State Student Health Insurance unless exemption is requested.

Pre-departure Orientation

Mandatory pre-departure orientation meetings will be held for all program participants. Information on the dates and locations of orientation meetings will be announced. The orientation sessions will offer important information on travel, passports, customs, health, safety, culture, and academic expectations.

Application Information

Participation in the program is determined by The Ohio State University. Applicants must submit the OIA Study Abroad Application. An application fee of $150 (personal check or money order) is due with your application. If you are not accepted to the program or withdraw your application in writing prior to the application deadlines your application fee will be refunded. The OIA Study Abroad Application is available in the OIA reception area in 100 Oxley Hall or online.

Application Deadline

February 1, 2008.

Program Coordinator

Jeff McKibben
Office of International Affairs
614.292.6101
E-mail: mckibben.1@osu.edu

Resident Director:

Dr. Salome Fouts
Dept. of African-American and African Studies
614.292.3700
E-mail: Fouts.25@osu.edu

For More Information

Lonely Planet (click on destination)
Department of State Travel Information (click on travel warnings/consular information sheets)
Travelers' Health (geographic health recommendations)
MS Training Centre

Office of International Affairs
The Ohio State University
Oxley Hall, 1712 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210-1219
(614) 292-6101
OSU Office of International Affairs

Study Abroad Advisers are available on a walk-in basis at the following times:
Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 12 noon and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.International education at Ohio State advances learning and scholarship across cultures, builds respect among different peoples, and develops constructive leadership to serve society in the global community.

Office of International Affairs (OIA), The Ohio State University
Oxley Hall, 1712 Neil Avenue, Columbus OH 43210-1219, USA 614.292.6101 http://oia.osu.edu/

Study Abroad Advisers are available on a walk-in basis Monday - Friday, 1 PM to 4 PM.

The Ohio State University reserves the right to change without notice any statement in this handout, concerning but not limited to rules, policies, tuition, fees, curricula, and courses. OIA reserves the right to cancel any program for which a State Department travel warning is in effect. It is the policy of the university not to discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or handicap in matters of admission, employment, housing, or services in the educational programs which it administers in accordance with civil rights legislation.