DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA

From the snows of Kilimanjaro, the great plains of the Serengeti, and the sandy beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania is endowed with a spectacular natu­ral beauty. Slightly larger than the state of Texas, the country features a rich tapestry of peoples and cultures that stretch back hundreds of years and encompass dozens of different ethnic groups, religions, and historical traditions. The city of Dar es Salaam, the largest in Tanzania, is a teeming, coastal metropolis with a humid climate tempered by steady sea breezes. The nearest airport, Julius K. Nyerere International Airport (IATA Code: DAR), is serviced by several European, African, and Asian airlines.

Breaking from the trends in many parts of the continent, Tanzania has enjoyed peace, stability, and security since its independence in 1963. The modern United Republic of Tanzania has evolved into a modern, multi-party democratic nation with competitive elections and a robust civil society. As a result of this success, Tanzania has increasingly become a key base for the United Nations and many NGOs as they work in the East African region. Adding to this political strength is the growing strength of the mining and minerals sectors, which has joined agriculture and tour­ism as mainstays of a diversifying economy. In recent years, the resurgent economy has produced a population of professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs whose rising standard of living is creating an array of businesses that cater to these decidedly modern tastes.

Fairfield offers a complete undergraduate program for study and life in Tanzania. We provide comprehensive services for all facets of your semester or year abroad, from application, course registration, and visa preparation to housing, insurance, and transcripts. We also provide full pre-departure information, dedicated student support, and an in-depth orientation in Tanzania, followed by day trips to explore the cultural and scenic beauty of the country and to introduce you to Tanzania's customs, traditions, and contemporary life. Fairfield University, a Jesuit institution, is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which accredits schools and colleges in the six New England states.

ACADEMICS

The University of Dar es Salaam is the oldest public university in Tanzania, and enjoys an outstanding reputation for scholarship. Many of the faculty have been educated in the U.S. and Europe, and the university hosts several hundred visiting exchange students each year. Upon arrival, students will receive an intensive cultural and language orientation so they can successfully navigate in Tanzania. Students in the Fairfield program will take four or five courses (12-15 credits) per semester; one of these must focus on Tanzanian or East African content. Courses are taught in English and are a mix of lecture, small group work, tutorials, and directed independent work. Students have online access to the Fairfield University library.

Students gain real world experience through service-learning courses and internships with local and international NGOs as well as through volunteer opportunities teaching English, math, and technology in the Jesuit High School in Dar es Salaam. The local Jesuit Community will provide critical support to students, helping them to connect service opportunities with their academic interests as well as leading and facili­tating critical reflection on the experiences. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale to be considered for the program.

 Students will live on campus with faculty and/or staff in private residences on the 2000 acre University of Dar es salaam campus. A private room and two meals a day are included in the total program cost. The host families are experienced in extending their hospital­ity, having hosted many American and European students in the past. Students seeking a more traditional student experience can live in the University dormitories, sharing a room with a Tanzanian student. The University, which is located approximately 10 miles outside the city center, is built on a high promontory overlooking the city and the harbor beyond. Though close to shopping and the attractions of the city center, the campus is peaceful and relaxed in contrast to the bustle of the urban core. The grounds of the University are also patrolled by a professional police force that ensure the safety and security of the campus community.

• Airport pickup on arrival in Dar es Salaam
• Orientation and campus tour
• On-Site program administrator with 24-hour emergency coverage
• Two excursions to the Spice Island of Zanzibar
• One safari to Serengeti and Ngorongoro
• Health/accident insurance
• Costs, dates, and details at www.fairfield.edu/studyabroad