Tanzania Summer Program
explore summer programs
The goals of the eight-week summer program in Moshi, Tanzania are to enhance the cross-cultural competence of participants and to provide students with the opportunity to gain broad knowledge about global health issues in the Tanzanian context. Participants live with a local family and, for the first four weeks of their stay, enroll in a course at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMU-Co). In this course, students learn about current policy issues and work in teams with Tanzanian students to develop, negotiate, write, and present a new policy case study.
During the second half of the program, students contribute forty hours of service per week to a local non-governmental organization, hospital, or government agency through a service project that is tailored to the student's interests in global health.
The most meaningful part of my field experience in Tanzania was the relationships I developed that broadened my perspective, worldview, and interests. The friendships I made with the Tanzanian medical students through working together on the policy case study, as well as with other Cornell students in my cohort, made the experience more fun and enriching. Living with a homestay family allowed me to experience the culture first-hand and these relationships provided me with a support system throughout the experience that will continue to be valuable in the future.
Each year the Global Health Program welcomes and hosts students, faculty, and staff from our international partnerships and programs on Cornell’s campus.
As a part of our collaboration with KCMU-Co in Moshi, Tanzania, the Global Health Program hosts two international scholars from KCMU-Co every spring. During their time on campus, visiting scholars attend classes and explore their academic interests, while also interacting with students in the Global Health Program both in and out of the classroom.
Summer Program Applications can be submitted through the Office of Global Learning. Applications are open annually from late September to early November. Further details can be found here at Experience Cornell.
What is the cost of the program?
The cost of the program will be approximately $9,000. This includes Cornell tuition (4 credits), airfare, room and board, service placement fees, optional excursions, immunizations, and visa. Don’t let the program cost deter you from applying, as there are grants and scholarships to support student participation in the program, especially those students who qualify for financial aid. If you have concerns about this, reach out!
Where would I be living?
While in Tanzania, every student participates in a homestay with a local family. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about life in Tanzania and to form strong, lasting relationships with members of the Moshi community. Each student is placed in a homestay with a fellow Cornell student. All of the homes are located within walking distance of Kilamanjaro Christian Medical University-College (KCMU-Co), where the students are enrolled in a course. Students often find that the most enjoyable moments of their trip are ones spent cooking, shopping, and conversing with their host families.
What are some examples of service placements?
As part of their service-learning experience in Tanzania, students are placed in a service project with a local NGO, government agency, or hospital that is tailored to their personal interests in global health. The goal of these service projects is to help students gain firsthand experience in dealing with pressing global health issues from a variety of perspectives. All of the service projects are located either in Moshi or a neighboring rural village. Each student may work individually or with other Cornell students at their service project site. Some of the opportunities have a strong healthcare component, while others are more focused on community development. Examples of past service projects include shadowing doctors in a rural hospital setting, working at a center for children with disabilities, working with the Network Against Female Genital Mutilation, and teaching at a school in a rural village.
Are there any prerequisites for this program?
Yes - all students must have taken NS 2600: Introduction to Global Health to participate in this program. Additionally, students will be required to enroll in NS 4620 (1 credit pre-departure seminar) and SWAHL 1107 (1 credit Swahili language seminar) in the spring semester.
Who should I contact if I have more questions?
Contact the Global Health Program at dnsglobalhealth@cornell.edu.