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UW Health, Education, & Tanzanian Culture

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This program is currently suspended. We will continue to evaluate circumstances for future durations.

Tanzania, Dar Es Salaam

The UW Health, Education & Tanzanian Culture program is offered by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) in partnership with IAP.

Get an inside look at health care infrastructure in Tanzania by visiting health-related organizations in three diverse cities. Traveling between Dar es Salaam, Moshi, and Zanzibar with a group of fellow Badgers, you will, among other activities, visit a wide variety of programs serving all ages including schools, hospitals, clinics, projects serving children working and/or living on the streets, and a microfinance program based in a Masai village. You will interact everyday with local Tanzanians. Your group will participate in discussions with adolescents related to common health issues, which may include topics such as reproductive health, mental health, substance use and gender based violence. Topics change year to year and are based on community needs and requests. (Please note that you will not provide direct medical care to anyone).

Upon arrival in Dar es Salaam, the group is hosted in a private home as we prepare for our flight the following day to Moshi, a smaller city near Mount Kilimanjaro. After spending time in Moshi and experiencing a two-day safari, you will return to Dar es Salaam and take a ferry to the island of Zanzibar. The days on this field program are long and very busy; the group has anticipatory and debriefing discussions before communal breakfasts and dinners. Pre-departure orientation includes researching particular academic topics related to the program context, which will be presented and discussed while in country in sessions attended by Tanzanians.

This program seeks applicants who are adventurous, flexible, adaptable to challenging conditions, and compassionate with a passion for global health. Prepare to be both very tired and very inspired!

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Gain an introduction to Tanzanian culture, facilities, and health care infrastructure
  • Participate in interactive education sessions with Tanzanian adolescents related to common health issues, which may include topics such as reproductive health, mental health, substance use and gender based violence. These are topics which you will be assigned to research and present. Topics change year to year and are based on community needs and requests. 
  • Develop greater cultural competence by talking with local partners and community members
  • Learn about both specific and general challenges in access to health care facing emerging countries
  • Articulate the United States’ role in Tanzanian policies with special attention to efforts addressing health issues
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and comparative perspectives with respect to experiences or cultural approaches to international challenges

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • It is helpful to have completed one core course from the undergraduate Global Health Certificate prior to the program (PHS 370, HIST SCI/​ENVIR ST  213, or NS 203) and be currently engaged in some form of volunteering or service-oriented internship on or off campus.

  • 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Public Health, Global Health, Adolescent Health, Education, Community Development

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Hotels

Program Duration

Summer: Mid-May – Early June

Winter: Early-January - Mid-January

Application Deadline(s)

Summer 2026 - [Suspended] 12/5/2025 Cost Details
Extended Deadline: 12/12/2025
Winter Intersession 2026-27 - [Suspended] 6/5/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

The group will have mandatory monthly in-person pre-departure meetings and reading assignments during the semester before the field course. Detailed academic expectations will be shared during pre-departure sessions.

Summer and winter participants will be enrolled in three credits of Nutritional Sciences 421. This program is approved as a field experience for the Global Health Certificate and either duration will fulfill this requirement. This study abroad program fulfills the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences International Studies requirement. 

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents