East Africa - Uganda, Rwanda, & Tanzania

  Tanzania

Arusha,  Dar Es Salaam

  Uganda

Jinja,  Kampala

Term: Fall, Spring 
Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: Fall and Spring

Description: The Africa Semester boasts rich opportunities for living and working alongside like-minded individuals and organizations committed to the empowerment of local Ugandan and Tanzanian communities.

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. Safari the Ngorogoro Crater, participate in environmental conservation efforts in Tanzania, build houses or schools for needy communities, and practice your newly-learned Swahili while volunteering alongside locals. Challenge yourself by taking a leadership role in the group's travel, then 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.

Highlights: Uganda

Education Work:
Next the group will spend a week living together in a village outside Jinja, volunteering with an NGO whose mission it is to fortify (and in many cases build) school houses in Uganda, as governmental funding is sparse. Past projects have included painting, building, digging, and even mural painting so if you are an artist, this project needs you!

After a short break and short travel day, the group will again live together in a village house outside Mbale at the foot of Mount Elgon. Here you will experience and learn about the growing, picking, and fair trade of coffee on an interfaith coffee cooperative. You will also have the opportunity to experience each of these faiths expression in the village setting.

HIV/AIDS Work

Having traveled overland to the Western regions of Uganda, the group will find itself in the lush Rwenzori Mountain area. Here you work with an amazing organization that has dedicated itself to the education and care of HIV+ orphans in Fort Portal. Work on chicken coops, buildings, art projects, and the like in the mornings, and play with the kids in the evenings. Whatever you do, don't feel sorry for them - they will sense it a mile away and probably deny you the opportunity to truly see how happy and well cared for they are.

Tanzania

Health Clinic Experience

Spend a week staying in a hostel that directly funds a well-established set of clinics in Mwanza while helping them with some of the logistical details that they are strapped for time to complete in the office or on the grounds. See what a well-functioning medical NGO abroad looks like, what international talents they attract, and study Swahili while also getting introduced to the unique tribe that has settled this area along Lake Victoria.

Safari

After a short domestic flight from Mwanza, the group is met by jeep to spend 3-4 days on overland safari through Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, and the Ngorogoro Crater. Spend nights staying in permanent campsite accommodations with experienced guides, enjoy game drives to see lions, elephants, and wildebeest, (among many, many others!) and pass through an Iraqw tribal village. End your safari just outside the national park at Esilalei village near Lake Manyara.

Language Study & Social Service

Spend one more week studying Kiswahili while working with an organization that is building school grounds for a local Maasai tribe. You will be welcomed into this village as a generous guest for whom they are thankful. You will be taught their customs, history, and dance, and live among them in their bomas. The only non-culturally authentic portion of this week is that you will NOT be eating as the Maasai do (they only drink milk, the blood of their herds, and occasional goat meat) although you'll be welcome to try it!

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: 8,900 USD

International airfare estimated at USD 1000; internal flight estimated at USD 350.

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 17 - 27

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 9

Scholarships are Available. FAFSA and both traditional and non-traditional scholarships are available

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

Year Founded: 1997