Explore ecology, natural resource management and sustainability in Tanzania-Zanzibar, on the islands of Unguja and Pemba in the Western Indian Ocean, and mainland Tanzania.
16
Relevant previous coursework
Kiswahili
English
Aug 29 – Dec 11
Tanzania
Stone Town, Zanzibar
Required
Climate & Environment
Development & Inequality
Zanzibar’s extensive shoreline, unique flora and fauna, and tropical climate are ideal for exploring conservation and management of coral reefs, inter-tidal zones, and mangrove and terrestrial forests. From your coastal base in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, gain a deeper understanding of the human-environment interface in the tropics, biodiversity, conservation areas, environmental challenges, and ecotourism projects. Study rare or endemic species such as the hawksbill sea turtle, Pemba flying fox, and Zanzibar red colobus monkey. Observe wildlife at Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park and snorkel at Chumbe and Misali islands and Pange Sandbar. Meet officials at Zanzibar’s Department of Forestry, the Institute of Marine Sciences, and the University of Dar es Salaam to hear their perspectives about natural resource management. Learn and practice speaking Kiswahili during your homestays in Stone Town, Zanzibar, and on Pemba Island. Understand the techniques, methods, and ethics necessary for successful field research in tropical settings and in diverse communities, and partner with an in-country expert on an Independent Study Project of your choice. Examine topics of marine and coastal environments and Swahili culture through short excursions. Meet with community members and institutions about challenges and their innovative solutions in an era of environmental change.
Previous college-level coursework and/or background in environmental studies, ecology, biology, wildlife conservation, the blue economy, or related fields or topics, as assessed by SIT. Swimming and snorkeling proficiency is strongly recommended.
Students studying on this SIT semester-length program can choose to simultaneously complete a minor, with no additional coursework or cost. At SIT, a minor is a minimum of 16 credits taken within a content area. This standout credential can help boost your future job or graduate school applications.
SIT's program in Zanzibar offers the choice to do a minor in island studies or global environmental studies. You'll develop practical skills in marine and terrestrial field methodologies, coral reef management planning, and biodiversity assessment while studying rare and vulnerable species and coastal ecosystems across the Zanzibar archipelago.
Spend eight days on Pemba island, which lies north of Unguja, living in a rural community and speaking with farmers and fisherfolk about environmental and cultural topics. See fruit-bat roosting sites and ecotourism destinations, and the ruins of a 14th-century Swahili town. Other trips typically address salt farms, a rubber plantation, a forest reserve, the Misali Island Marine Reserve, and a farmer field school that teaches innovative agricultural techniques.
In Tanzania’s largest city, you’ll spend a week living in a guesthouse near the University of Dar es Salaam, the country’s most prestigious institution of higher learning. You will attend lectures on a range of topics including wildlife management and renewable energy, and go on a safari at Mikumi National Park, featuring some of Tanzania’s famous wildlife, such as elephants and lions. Learn more about the local animals while studying urban ecology, engaging in conservation efforts and exploring the complexities and outcomes of case studies in natural resource management from multiple standpoints, including those of communities.
On the primary island of the archipelago, you will become familiar with the historical city and Swahili society. Island visits include, for instance, Chumbe Island Coral Park, a privately owned marine sanctuary off of Zanzibar’s coast that is home to a world-renowned coral reef. During this one-day excursion, gain a better understanding of low-impact ecotourism and environmental education initiatives. Also visit Marine Cultures, an NGO that provides extra earning opportunities for women while promoting sustainable use of ocean resources. Zanzibaris farm seaweed and sponges for both the onsite center and international export. At Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park you will study mangrove forests and collect data about frogs and butterflies.
Please note that SIT will make every effort to maintain its programs as described. To respond to emergent situations, however, SIT may have to change or cancel programs.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
The following syllabi are representative of this program. Because courses develop and change over time to take advantage of dynamic learning opportunities, actual course content will vary from term to term.
The syllabi can be useful for students, faculty, and study abroad offices in assessing credit transfer. Read more about credit transfer.
Coastal Ecology and Natural Resource Management Seminar – syllabus
(ENVI3000 / 4 credits)
An interdisciplinary course conducted in English, with required readings, examining coastal ecology and natural resource management in Zanzibar, Pemba, and coastal Tanzania. Lecturers are drawn from institutions such as the University of Dar es Salaam and its affiliate, the Institute of Marine Sciences in Zanzibar.
Beginning Kiswahili – syllabus
(SWAH1004-1504 / 4 credits)
Intermediate Kiswahili – syllabus
(SWAH2004-2504 / 4 credits)
Emphasis is on speaking and comprehension skills through classroom and field instruction. Based on in-country evaluation, including oral proficiency testing, students are placed in intensive beginning or intermediate classes, with further language practice during homestays, lectures, and excursions.
Environmental Research Methods and Ethics – syllabus
(ENVI3500 / 4 credits)
A course on environmental research methods and ethics concerning both the natural and social sciences. The main focus is on learning how to collect, analyze, integrate, and report environmental and social data in order to critically understand and evaluate program-related environmental issues. The course includes an introduction to the Independent Study Project and reviews of environmental field study ethics, and the World Learning / SIT Human Subjects Review Policy. Topics addressed include research project design, interviewing, conducting surveys, and maintaining a field journal. Specific ecological research methods may include fauna and flora identification, population analysis, animal behavior, and biodiversity monitoring.
Independent Study Project – syllabus
(ISPR3000 / 4 credits)
Conducted in the Zanzibar Archipelago.
Sample ISP topic areas:
Browse this program’s Independent Study Projects / undergraduate research.
Spend four weeks with your Swahili homestay family in historic Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting Swahili architecture, vibrant markets, winding streets, and mosques and museums. Study and practice the Kiswahili language both in the classroom and at home and participate in the day-to-day cultural activities of your family, allowing you to experience Swahili and Islamic traditions in the Zanzibari context.
On Pemba Island, the other large island in the Zanzibar Archipelago, you will have an eight-day homestay. Situated approximately 50 kilometers to the north of Zanzibar, Pemba is rural, with diverse forests, innovative agriculture, and a strong cultural identity. Live with a family in a close-knit community, experiencing only sporadic electricity and possibly a rationed water supply. Learn what it’s like to share daily life with a family living close to the environment.
Positions recently held by alumni of this program include:
Special assistant at the Office of the General Counsel, Washington, DC
Research assistant / graduate student (M.A. in marine affairs) at the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Assistant field director at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Center for American Indian Health, AZ
Fisheries technician at Normandeu Associates, Inc., Westmoreland, NH
Community organizer for the Sierra Club, MO
Coastal science specialist, The Nature Conservancy, Honolulu, Hawaii
PhD student, immunology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Fulbright IIE fellow, Project: Seahorse Genomics and Climate Adaptation, Copenhagen, Denmark
SIT Study Abroad is committed to ensuring that international education is within reach for all students. We believe in the transformative power of immersive, intercultural experiences and are dedicated to supporting students in their educational journey.
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Students are required to obtain a visa for this program. Your admissions officer will provide you further guidance on the process and support documents. Please do not apply without instructions from your admissions officer.
Here are the steps we take to mitigate our environmental and community impacts at our Zanzibar Learning Center
SIT alum Christian Boudreaux shares why he completed three SIT Study Abroad programs, including SIT Tanzania, and how his time abroad furthers his future research and educational goals.
Here is what alumni of the Tanzania: Zanzibar—Coastal Ecology and Natural Resource Management program are saying.
This was an amazing experience. I learned so much and grew as a person. There was a deep connection with the community and critical ecological issues.
Micalea Leaska, St. Michael’s College
Eye-opening and challenging. This program shaped me as a person and provided me with a number of opportunities as a student.
Hannah Turley, University of Virginia
