My Experience Abroad

I studied abroad through the Kentucky Institute For International Studies (KIIS). The program is actually at multiple universities throughout Kentucky, West Virginia, and a few more surrounding states. I was fortunate enough to have a great program director who was born in Tanzania. Dr. Mkanta did so much for us, from translating and price negotiations to allowing us to meet the President of Tanzania and working with their outreach programs.There are so many positive experiences I could write about, but I'd just like to highlight a few of my favorite.

One of my favorite places was Mbalamwezi Beach. The beach is fairly quiet with a restaurant nearby. It was a great place for a day of  play or relaxation.

WAMATA, an outreach program sponsored by USAID on the fight against HIV/AIDS was one of the major programs we worked with. The program offered free HIV/AIDS testing, peer group counseling, home-based care, referrals for medicine, and much more to educate and empower those infected with HIV/AIDS. As students, we traveled along on a home-based visit and spoke with patients about treatment, illness, and living conditions. We also had the opportunity to visit a secondary school to spread awareness and prevention.

One of the most impactful things I experienced was an 11 year-old boy starving and deathly sick from HIV found on the side of streets by the orphanage I was working with. Louisa was so weak he could barely stand to walk. A mere skin and bones, all he wanted to do on my visits was rest his head on my lap as a rubbed his stomach to sooth the pain. Other orphans picked on him and told him it wasn't time to sleep. I would have nurtured him back to health and protected him if I could have but before I knew it my time in Tanzania was up and Louisa ended up in the hospital my last week there. Another student asked if I wanted to visit him in the hospital the day before we flew out. Initially I said no, I don’t want to see a sick orphan child in the hospital. Yet, that was every reason to go see him. This was the only thing I had to talk myself into doing the whole trip. Even if it pained me, maybe my presences and support could make it a little easier to someone who had no one. Nearly six months later I can hardly write this without my eyes welling up with tears. All along I was doing my best to help him, but he was helping me.  Louisa is more important to me than he’ll ever know and for that I’m thankful. Thankful these orphans have become my inspiration. I could upload a million pictures of these beautiful kids, but it would never do them or the experience any justice. 

Snorkeling and the safari in Ngorongoro Crater was yet another highlight that you don't want to miss. There's nothing quite like the baby blue Indian Ocean, white sand, and the beautiful creatures living in it. I'd highly recommend both of these for everyone!

 Working with a private and public hospital also helped shine light on just how different our medical system is from Tanzania's. Not only did we learn a lot, but we had very welcoming professionals to help guide us along the way.

Last but not least, I had a great time with my fellow students throughout all these new experiences. It wouldn't have been the same without them. We even had the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day in style. With great food, great company, and traditional conga wear I don't I could have asked for a better fourth of July. 

If anyone has any question I'd be more than happy to help. You can also contact Marshall University's Study Abroad Office or the KIIS program for further information on upcoming trips. Thanks for reading! 

http://www.marshall.edu/study-abroad/  

http://www.kiis.org/go/Tanzania.php