Program Reviews

Not only is this program run by very intelligent and personable faculty and staff, but also the students that participate in this program are one of a kind. This program attracts individuals who are concerned about the environment and desire to make a positive difference in the world, but more importantly who realize that the best change can only occur collaboratively. As a result this program fosters an academic work and living environment like no other. Although the academic schedule can be rigorous at times, the expansive field lectures and field research keep you on your toes so that you remain energized and enthusiastic throughout the day. Practicing sustainability is as much a part of this program as studying it is. At the beginning of each semester the program participants create and sign a sustainability contract dictating how they will best attempt to live their daily lives while in this program, in order to live as sustainably as possible. The resulting simpler lifestyle coupled with the tight-knit community of peers and faculty creates an enlightening experience that SFS alumni will keep with them for a lifetime.

If you want to experience what living sustainably is like and explore a beautiful country, with amazing faculty and peers, then this is the program for you.

There are lots of specific parts of the program's structure that i woukd change, but overall the professors are knowledgeable and the environment is spectacular. The small size of the island keeps everyone interacting with the community and the scenery keeps everyone interested and engaged.

Overall my experience was awesome. I saw a ton of wildlife and beautiful landscapes, which was what I was most excited about. The main disappointment of the trip was the lack of free time to explore the country and travel on our own. Because we were so remote all of our excursions were pre-planned group activities with little room for booking our own tours on the weekend or going in to town after classes. With that said, the site that we stayed at was amazing and it was kind of nice to be so isolated from civilization because I became very close with my fellow students and my surroundings. We also got to travel around a bit for class and got a free weekend in Cairns to shop and see the Great Barrier reef (my absolute favorite part of the trip!) I saw tons of animals including platypus, echidna, pademelons, pythons, crazy birds and ocean life. I loved the Australian people and would love to go back.

Snorkeling and scuba diving for class cannot be beat- I learned so much by seeing the marine environment every day. I loved the scuba diving, we saw whales, researched sharks, and learned so much about the local community. My highlights were watching sunsets every night, wednesday morning dives, and teaching environmental ed to the local community. Academics aren't too hard, which is actually pretty nice.

All in all it was an amazing experience that could not be replicated anywhere else of with any other study abroad program. The theoretical side of the courses were lacking, but the practical field experience is likely unparalleled. Probably around 75% of your waking hours are spent traveling around Tanzania to local National Parks or Wildlife Management Areas. The wildlife you will see during the program is simply spectacular and there are many things you will never be able to experience again in your life. SFS is a great program for not only experiencing the ecosystems surrounding their field stations, but completely immersing their students in the culture of the peoples living in the area. I can't stress it enough, this is an experience that you will never forget for the rest of your life. If you have the means to get to Tanzania, then most certainly do it.

I participated in the SFS Summer Session II in Tanzania and would recommend this program to anyone looking for a unique study abroad experience with awesome opportunities to study and view African wildlife.

This program changed my life. I was exposed to things that I never thought I'd experience. I saw parts of East Africa that I never even knew about, and I met some of the most incredible people.
One of my favorite parts of the trip were camping in the Serengeti for a week. We were woken up by lions outside our tents every night and got to sleep underneath the clearest skies I've ever seen.
Another one of the highlights were the home stays. We spent time with people from Iraqw tribe and also Maasai. They taught us about their everyday lives and we got to help with everything they do on a daily basis.
The academics were definitely challenging for an abroad program, but I had no problems with the professors or grading policies. I loved getting to know the professors on a personal level, and spending time with all of the staff.
SFS runs an incredible program. I look at the world in an entirely new way, and I will never forget the experiences I had while abroad.

I went in a religion major, but came out a bio major. This program gave my life a new direction. Almost everyday I had the opportunity to be in the water either snorkeling or diving. The dive and snorkel sites are second to none. The classes will challenge you academically, but they do a great job of integrating the field with the classroom. I didn't have a single day abroad where I was in the classroom for the full day. I had the opportunity to go both "turtling" and "sharking" (all for research purposes), which was one of the ways I was able to get involved in the research at the center. Directed research was the highlight of my semester. My group worked with sting rays for four weeks straight and got to present our findings to the community. The availability for community outreach and service is readily availably to the students, if that is an interest. If you love the ocean and don't mind warm weather and a lack of showers, this is the program for you.

This program offers so much more than your typical study abroad program. You get to live in an area of the world that most people only dream of visiting. Surrounding by acacia woodlands, the Kenyan field station sits on the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro. From the outdoor showers, you have a perfect view of the top of Kili! Both fields stations are incredibly beautiful, with gazebos, volleyball courts, and soccer fields nearby.

While I would say that I faced some difficulties at first adjusting to the East African lifestyle and not having all the necessities that I've become accustomed to using, you can have a greater appreciation for the people and beautiful landscape of these two countries. Honestly, I would not have enjoyed this experience as much if I were glued to my computer, worried about what was going on back home. You're able to connect with an incredible group of students who are just as nervous, but excited as you to journey to a region quite different from the US and Europe. You also connect to the staff of both sites in a way that would never occur at any other academic institution. The staff quickly becomes your extended family, eating dinner with you, getting to meet and know their family, and playing a game of soccer with them in the afternoon. Where else in the world can you play volleyball with your professors?!

Although I think this is an incredible program and think everyone should experience this area of the world that is often misunderstood, the trip isn't for everyone. You're surrounded by your classmates 24/7, leaving few instances of alone time. Also, if you're not willing to be adventurous and try new things, this program may not be ideal for you. There were moments when I was completely out of my comfort zone and instead of not participating (as usual), I embraced the moment and had the best time of my life. On the first day in Tanzania, a group of students and staff decided to play soccer. I was hesitant at first and I'm not extremely athletic, but the other students persuaded me to join in on the fun and I loved every moment of the game! Another instance of this was during our optional community service project in Tanzania. Over the course of two weeks, we had the chance to go to a local school and implement a reading program. The program wasn't mandatory and I'm not always great with kids. I went to the school on the first day as nervous as could be, but ended up falling in love with the students and went back every day after that to continue interacting with them.

One final thing I'll add is that even though this is a program intended for wildlife lovers, don't choose the program solely based on this fact. You will see all the awesome animals from The Lion King and scream for joy the first time you spot an elephant; however, you soon become accustomed to these animals sightings on a daily basis and the excitement quickly turns into an appreciation for the landscape and region as a whole. Similar to a majority of people on my trip, I left the program falling in love with the people and staff of our field station more than the animals. The best moments I can remember are from these interactions with people that I grew to love and care for. In this sense, you should go on this program with the mindset that it'll be more than just a 3-month long safari, but instead a life altering experience that will open your eyes to the beauty of the people and landscape of East Africa.

The worst thing about the program was the inconsistent academics. They do not meet the quality of an American university but maintain an air of being 'tough on you.'

However the community service projects were life changing, the days off were always filled with new people and once in a lifetime experiences and the research was probably the best experience you could hope to get.

Just remember that they grade at a different level and have no sympathy for you returning home with grades based on an East African grading standard.