CIEE Community Development, Language + Culture in Iringa, Tanzania

Why did you pick this program?

Before entering college, I was fortunate to do a gap year as a Rotary Exchange Student. I had appreciated how connected and hands on that experience had been within the community. For example, the best way to learn the language is by starting a conversation with people who speak the language. The CIEE cultural consortium program valued working with the community and creating shared experiences

What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?

Get involved, and make sure you take time to reflect. Getting involved is a great way to make connection and develop relations. Self-reflection can really help with growth, problem-solving, and self-care.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Flexibility is huge! Sometimes things will go as you expect, but more often than not, there will be a surprise. Just like life.

What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?

This depends on whether you need it to be from this program or other abroad experiences:

In Tanzania there are so many stories that it is hard to pick just one. We were in Zanzibar for Eid al- Fitr, and we were able to celebrate the end of Ramadan and the breaking of the fast. I remember walking around when the sun went down and seeing all sorts of incredible dishes and seafood. The seafood was so fresh and everyone was so excited to be out celebrating together. The night we were on safari, and we heard lions roaring earlier in the morning.

Another memory comes from when I taught in Korea, we were going out to a makkoli (Korean wine) restaurant. The way makkoli restaurants worked was they served dishes as you bought pots of wine (to share). So, with the first pot of wine they served kimchi and pigs feet, the second pot was served with a different Korean dish, and so on. Well, by the fourth pot of wine, the owners brought out a live octopus and a dipping sauce. The only directions I received was to make sure I finished chewing every bite, so nothing could climb back up.

After multiple years of traveling, what is something you have learned?

Take time after your traveling to remember the skills you developed while traveling, interning, or taking classes. Being able to travel is incredible, but learning how to talk about your travel can be so useful for the future. I often say traveling helped me build the confidence to problem solve, but also gave me the humility to ask for help when I need it. Take time to think about how travel has/ will continue to help you develop.

What is your favorite travel memory?

Even though I lived in Zanzibar for years, I still get lost in the narrow, winding, 18th-century streets of Stonetown. Stumbling across a game of bao or a local coffee seller on the street gives me a chance to slow down and practice my Swahili.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I've become a much better teacher since starting with CIEE. I've learned how to teach students how to conduct research projects that have the potential to make real change in the communities they live in.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Several of my students have gone on to enter the Peace Corps in different parts of Africa. I'm very proud of their willingness to serve the poorest of the poor.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Ever since I took a Japanese history class in college I've wanted to visit Japan.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

My team in Tanzania consists of only my program coordinator and I. What makes me especially proud of my team are the many hats we wear.

To the students we are father, mother, teacher, mentor, travel agent, Swahili tutor, counselor, cultural guide, administrator, and friend.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

A successful company invests in making its programs better any way that it can - it knows that the best way to attract students is to create and maintain stellar programs. A successful company listens to all employees and devolves decision-making power and authority to employees at all levels; it has high expectations, but refuses to micromanage.