Three Months in Tanzania
By Will Hicks ’20
I couldn’t quite believe what I was doing as I boarded the plane to travel to Tanzania. I was leaving everything behind, venturing to a developing country in the heart of Africa for three months. My first drive down the bustling town of Arusha was something else for me - seeing goats walking across the street, hearing the prayer calls from the mosques and the irritating horn of the Dala dalas, a form of Tanzanian taxi that intended to cram as many people into it as possible. The thought was daunting: “I’m actually staying here for three months?” I really had no idea what to expect.
The first few weeks were quite challenging for me, especially getting used to my new school and many new faces. St. Constantine’s International School’s beautiful campus sits right on the quiet outskirts of Arusha, with coffee plantations on the other side of the road and a wonderful view of the 4500 metre Mount Meru. Yet the school itself is completely different from Lakefield. The campus is smaller, and students range from nursery all the way to graduating year. The workload is also more rigorous and classes are small and stuffy. It was also strange seeing monkeys walk around campus as if they owned the place. As I got used to things, I also managed to make some new friends as every student at the school was so welcoming and wanted me to feel at home, which I really appreciated. The friendships I made on my journey are now irreplaceable; it wouldn’t have been the same without so many awesome people.
Though awkward at first, staying with my host family has been a wonderful experience. They are so welcoming and caring, and always wish the best for me. They made their house feel like a home to me. I especially enjoyed the meals that were prepared every night, from goat to fish to my personal favourite: The Orange Chicken. I will also say this:You have not tasted “fresh” avocados if you have not been to Tanzania.Ieven managed to prepare Canadian style pancakes with the maple syrup I brought along. Florence and Marc, I cannot thank you enough for the effort and care you put in to making my time here a good one.
Travelling through Tanzania, I can say that it is a quiet, though at times beautiful country. Outside the mayhem of the city, you can find fields of farmland, untouched jungles and countless animals. I will never forget mountain biking through the Kilimanjaro foothills, not a person in sight, staring out into the picturesque scenery. Or watching the red sun slowly fade away into mist and looking at thousands upon thousands of stars. Walking through tiny villages is quite eye opening, seeing tiny slums made of mud and children waving at us. They called me a Mzungu, the Swahili word for foreigner. All of this made me feel very grateful for everything I had, a home, an education, running water, and so many more things that I and many people in Canada take for granted. I feel like anyone who wants to really move out of their comfort zone and be in a place wildly different from Canada, Tanzania is a good place to go. Everything about being in Tanzania is just so… different, that it can be quite challenging and difficult at times. By the time you finish, you will feel quite exhausted!
Going on exchange to a foreign country definitely gives you a wider sense of the world and a better understanding of cultures, especially if it’s somewhere less developed. I would say that an opportunity like this is definitely one you should take, it is time well spent. I’d also like to thank Mr. Bird and Ms. Ojoo for organizing the trip for me, for helping me make amazing new memories that I will never forget.
School Information
4391 County Road 29, Lakefield Ontario K0L 2H0 705.652.3324 admissions@lcs.on.ca
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Lakefield College School is a private, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
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