SIT Study Abroad Logo

Tanzania

Climate Change & Sustainability, Mount Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar

Study climate change, its human impacts, and national and local solutions in northern and coastal Tanzania.

At a Glance

Credits

6

Prerequisites

None

Courses taught in

English

Dates

Jun 15 – Jul 26

Program Countries

Tanzania

Program Base

Arusha

Critical Global Issue of Study

Climate & Environment

Development & Inequality

Overview

Why study abroad in Tanzania?

Tanzania’s diverse ecology provides an extraordinary backdrop in which to explore climate change. In the interior mountains, study tropical forest management and examine the climatology, ecology, and hydrology of extinct volcano areas adjacent to Kilimanjaro National Park. In Ngorongoro Conservation Area, visit the largest intact collapsed volcano in the world, and investigate how climate change affects migrating and grazing wildlife species such as zebras and wildebeests. While in Serengeti National Park, you will study the effects of climate change on the spatial distribution of wildlife, and in Zanzibar you’ll learn about coral reef conservation. Throughout your journey, you’ll also consider solutions to issues posed by climate change, meeting with farmers, foresters, fishermen, community leaders, and nongovernmental organizations. In addition to learning from SIT’s world-class faculty, you will also speak with experts through SIT’s extensive regional networks in Zanzibar, including government departments, the Institute of Marine Sciences, and the College of African Wildlife Management. 

Highlights

  • Survey climate change across coastlines, mountains, and grasslands.
  • Explore the Zanzibar Archipelago and the lush forests of the Usambara Mountains.
  • Investigate how climate change affects migrating wildlife and coastal reefs.
  • Observe fauna, such as black rhinoceros, lions, elephants, and wildebeests.

Prerequisites

None.

program map

Excursions

Usambara Mountains and Foothills of Kilimanjaro

After orientation, the program begins with a tour through Lushoto in the Magamba Nature Reserve in the West Usambara Mountains and through Mweka village which lies on the southern slopes of the of foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. The Usambara Mountains are a beautiful region full of wildlife, including rare plants, chameleons, toads, and butterflies. You’ll see archaeological sites that have revealed evidence of climate change for more than 1,000 years. During your time in Moshi, you’ll learn about conservation practice in the region from lecturers at Mweka College of Wildlife Management and learn from local foresters, farmers, wildlife experts, and NGO workers about their experiences with climate change.

Zanzibar Archipelago

On a 10-day excursion to Zanzibar, investigate coral reefs and coral bleaching, the resilience of mangrove forests, and coastal erosion. Interview  local fishermen in the Zanzibar Archipelago, also known as the “Spice Islands.” This popular tourist destination boasts tropical beaches and a host of endemic animals including the Zanzibar red colobus monkey. You’ll also gain a better understanding of the techniques, methods, and ethics necessary for successful field research. 

Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park

Visit Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact caldera (collapsed volcano) in the world, and take a game drive in Serengeti National Park, home to lions, black rhinoceros, elephants, and more. During this visit you will study climate change impacts on communities, wildlife, and their foraging resources in the savanna grasslands. Of particular interest will be climate change effects and solutions in small communities in the area.

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.

Academics

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to: 

  • Explain the concept and basic signatures of climate change. 
  • Describe ecology, the science of climate change, and resource management in Tanzania. 
  • Explain present climate change challenges and solutions for terrestrial and marine environments, species, and human communities in Tanzania. 
  • Discuss human sustainability and resource management in the Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar areas. 
  • Differentiate between basic science and social science methods to study climate change and human impacts and adaptations.

Read more about Program Learning Outcomes.



Coursework

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.

Please expand the sections below to see detailed course information, including course codes, credits, overviews, and syllabi.


Key Topics

  • Research methods in a nontraditional, cross-cultural environment
  • bullet list icon
  • Coral reef conservation and tropical forest and resource management
  • bullet list icon
  • National and local solutions to climate change
  • bullet list icon
  • Environmental and anthropological field study techniques
  • bullet list icon
  • Human-environment interaction in ecosystems

Climate Change and its Impacts in the Tropics

Climate Change and Its Impacts in the Tropics – syllabus
(ENVI3000 / 3 credits)

An interdisciplinary course addressing the social and natural impacts of climate change in East Africa. Subjects include ecology and the societies of northern and coastal Tanzania, national and local solutions to climate change, and the complexities of management solutions.

Environmental Research Methods and Ethics

Environmental Research Methods and Ethics – syllabus
(ENVI3500 / 3 credits)

An introduction to ecological and anthropological field study techniques. Through excursions and field assignments, the course introduces and critically employs scientific and social scientific methods for feasible and ethical research. Students learn field observation, interviewing, record keeping, scientific analysis, interpretation, and presentation based on primary sources.

Housing

Ngaramtoni

You will spend one week living with a family in the peri-urban community of Ngaramtoni. This village, about 10 kilometers from Arusha town, is high on the slopes of Mt. Meru. Accommodations vary from wattle-and-daub homes to those with electricity. Families range from two-parent professional households (such as veterinarians, teachers, and doctors) to those headed by single-parent subsistence farmers. 

Faculty & Staff

Tanzania: Climate Change & Sustainability, Mount Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar

Oliver Nyakunga, PhD bio link
Oliver Nyakunga, PhD
Academic Director
Mercy Felix Kamnde (Mama Juni) bio link
Mercy Felix Kamnde (Mama Juni)
Office Manager
Oscar Paschal Nyakunga bio link
Oscar Paschal Nyakunga
Academic Coordinator
Kaiza R. Kaganzi bio link
Kaiza R. Kaganzi
Mwima Arbogast Maugo bio link
Mwima Arbogast Maugo
Cultural Expert

Discover the Possibilities

  • Cost & Scholarships

    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.

    See Full Breakdown
  • A summer in Tanzania leads to a semester in Patagonia

    SIT alum Marit Isaacson spent the summer of her junior year in Tanzania before spending another semester with SIT in Patagonia.

    Read more