University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania

Each fall semester the Lutheran College Consortium Tanzania (LCCT), consisting of Concordia, Luther and St. Olaf colleges; and Pacific Lutheran University send students to study at the University of Dar er Salaam in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Students live and study in Tanzania for five months, returning to the United States before Christmas.

Tanzania is a fascinating, diverse and beautiful country. It is composed of more than 120 different peoples and languages, the Maasai people being one of the most recognizable. Visitors to Tanzania are often captivated by the warmth and friendliness of the Tanzanian people. Tanzania also have a diverse selection of geology and biology. Possibilities for independent travel include historic Zanzibar; safaris in world famous wildlife parks like the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater; climbing fabled Mount Kilimanjaro; or simply traveling to villages or into the “bush” to experience traditional, day-to-day African life.

Components of the program include a two week orientation in Arusha and Dar es Salaam led by a member-college professor who is the semester program leader. The itinerary of the orientation changes a little each year but generally the first week in Arusha includes visits to a world-famous wildlife park (Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater), Maasai village, coffee farm, hospital, school, church for Sunday service, women’s pottery collective, the Rwanda War Crimes Tribunal and colorful local markets. The second week is spent in “Dar,” Tanzania’s major city and seaport. Students are oriented to the city and university, and begin their program of a three-week course in Swahili language and culture. Although all courses at the university are taught in English, Swahili is the language of everyday life in East Africa, and by learning the rudiments of the language, students are able to communicate more freely and participate in activities in addition to making friends with local people and other students.

Each students engages four weeks of teaching of conversational English at a nearby elementary school connected to the university. As part of their academic schedule, student’s work on a LCCT assignment that may consist of required readings, a research paper or creative project, newspaper reading log and journaling. The LCCT assignments count for one-third of the final semester grade. Academic work at the university begins in October, and students register for four courses of their choice. These courses count two-thirds of the final program grade.

While at orientation LCCT students will room together. Once classes start in October each LCCT student shares a dorm room with a Tanzanian student. This arrangement helps students become acquainted with their peers, and is an opportunity to get to know someone from another culture, learn Swahili and make lasting friendships. 

However, the experience does not end upon your return to the United States. Each February participants are reunited for a two-day debriefing. This is also when students present their LCCT projects and share stories about their experiences. 

Still not sure its for you?? Here is an overview of just a few of the reason to go...

          1. Receive four (4) credits for the semester

          2. Meet unforgettable people

          3. Make lasting international friends

          4. Gain a deeper knowledge of Tanzania and the developing world - its problems and its riches

          5. Return with a deeper understanding of yourself and what it is to be a citizen of the world

For every two American students participating in the LCCT program, the consortium is able to bring one Tanzanian scholar to the U.S. to study at a participating college, so this exchange makes the program a truly international and intercultural experience for many. 

For more information on this program, including the most recent cost information, please contact the Office of International Education at 299-3927 or inted@cord.edu.