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SJU Campus Ministry Tanzania Service/Immersion

Summer 2012

Tanzania

May 28 - June 25, 2012 (dates are not set until airline tickets are purchased)

Program Highlights

  • Visit two Benedictine monasteries - Imiliwaha monastery for women and Hanga monastery for men
  • Be hosted and truly welcomed by the Tanzanian Benedictines for four weeks of in country travel.
  • Volunteer in the 5 schools run by the monasteries, the village health centers, orphanages, and even the kitchen.
  • Learn some Swahili! (the official language of Tanzania)
  • Spend time on the shores of one of Africa's largest (and most beautiful) freshwater lakes - Lake Nyassa
  • Hike to the top of one of Tanzania's highest waterfalls, then swim in the pool at it's base.
  • Visit two national parks and see African wildlife in its natural habitat
  • Spend three nights on the island of Zanzibar

Program Description

The Tanzania Summer Service/Immersion trip began in the summer of 2008 when a former Benedictine volunteer who previously spent one year living at Hanga Benedictine monastery led ten students from CSB/SJU on a tour of the country. Each year since then the trip has taken around ten students to travel Tanzania for four weeks of immersion. Participants will take part in some service work volunteering at the schools, working in the orphanages, health centers, and other monastic areas. Students will be fully immersed in Tanzanian culture the duration of their stay. This interaction with local people, living by two monasteries, and taking part in the daily lives of the Tanzanian people is a truly unique African experience.

Program Cost

The estimated Program Fee is $3500

This price includes:

  • Round-trip international airfare from Minneapolis to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
  • Accommodations during the program
  • Local transportation - bus, land cruiser, ferry to Zanzibar
  • Course related excursions including: admission to museums, cultural attractions, major musical and theatre productions as outlined in the itinerary
  • Program administrative costs and fees
  • Most group meals
  • National park entrance and vehicle fees

This Program Fee does not include:

  • Visa fee
  • Personal spending money
  • Additional activities on Zanzibar
  • Health consults/medication for the trip

Housing

Participants will stay in guest rooms of the monastery or hotel accommodations while visiting the national parks and Zanzibar. All rooms will be self-contained with private shower and toilet facilities. If needed, rooms will provide mosquito netting.

Director

Ben DeMarais, SJU '08 first traveled to Tanzania as a volunteer with The Saint John's Benedictine Volunteer Corps. He lived at Hanga Benedictine Monastery in southwestern Tanzania for nine months where he taught English and Math to sixth graders at St. Laurent's Primary school. Since returning from Africa Ben has worked as the Faculty Resident on Mary 1 and has worked in various other places around the University, Abbey, and Prep School. Ben also led this trip last year. bdemarais@csbsju.edu

 

        

 

Program Resources