USP College Students Experience the Adventure of a Lifetime in Tanzania
- Posted 30 Aug 2024
A group of second-year students from the Sport and Healthcare Professional Sector at USP College recently embarked on an unforgettable 28-day expedition to Tanzania. This incredible journey, which brought together students from Sport, Uniformed Protective Services, and Health and Social Care programmes across both campuses, was an opportunity to enhance their leadership and communication skills, whilst benefitting from Real World Studies, a key part of the national curriculum.
Week 1: A Warm Welcome in Moshi
The adventure began in the bustling town of Moshi, where USP students got stuck into their first community project. Working together, they replaced a hazardous path at a local school—a path that had previously caused several injuries among the school children. The project involved digging up the old path, levelling the ground, and laying a brand-new cement walkway, ensuring a safer environment for the schoolchildren.
While in Moshi, students took part in Swahili lessons, equipping them with basic language skills to connect more deeply with the local community. A trip to a nearby waterfall and a coffee bean farm provided a refreshing break from their work at the school, allowing the students to experience the beauty of Tanzania's natural landscape and learn the process of making coffee from scratch. The week ended on a high note with a football match against local children.
Week 2: Into the Wild on Safari
The second week took the students to the heart of Tanzania's wilderness for a truly immersive safari experience. After camping in the wilderness, the students embarked on a walking safari where they encountered the diverse wildlife of the region, including baboons, impalas, and a herd of giraffe. The nighttime sounds of the wild were a constant reminder of the incredible environment they were in.
The students also contributed to vital conservation work, performing maintenance on a watering hole that is crucial for sustaining the local wildlife. A visit to a Maasai tribe, where they participated in a traditional welcome ceremony and learned about the Maasai way of life, further deepened their understanding of Tanzania’s rich cultural heritage. The week concluded with a jeep safari, where they spotted an array of wildlife including wildebeest, elephants, lions, and hippos. A unique highlight was learning how to make paper from elephant dung!
Week 3: Diving into New Experiences in Tanga
The third week of the trip took the students to Tanga, a coastal city where they explored the vibrant local culture and completed their PADI scuba diving certification. This achievement allows them to dive independently to depths of up to 18 metres, opening up new opportunities for underwater exploration.
In addition to scuba diving, the students visited local schools and communities, where they learned about the traditions of the Tanga area. They also got creative by repurposing old flip flops into animal sculptures and learned the art of making Chapati, a popular local dish.
Week 4: Wrapping Up in Moshi
Returning to Moshi for their final week, the students rolled up their sleeves again for another impactful project—constructing a new classroom at a local school. This task involved making cement, laying bricks, and building walls, leaving a lasting contribution to the community.
The week also included more Swahili lessons and a delightful community trip where the students tried their hand at making banana and meat curry, a local delicacy, and helped plant banana trees for the community to enjoy for generations to come.
Throughout the trip, the students not only gained practical skills and unforgettable memories but also formed deep connections with the people and culture of Tanzania. This journey to Tanzania has left a lasting impact on both the students and the communities they visited, demonstrating the power of education, cultural exchange, and community service. The students returned home with a new perspective on the world and memories that will last a lifetime.
